Re: [Elecraft] Prospective K3 Owner
On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:09:04 -0700 (PDT), Joe W!JGS wrote: - Are there any tools, over and above those mentioned in the assembly manual, that would be helpful Yes, a magnetized screwdriver is very handy for guiding the screws to their holes without having to fumble with them. (There are a LOT of screws!) Some people pre-sort all the screws. I just dumped them and the washers into a shallow pan and hunted through them as they were called out. But do pay close attention to the screw lengths and washer types specified in the instructions. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Paddle for K3
On Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:52:30 -0700, Dave W7AQK wrote: I have an entirely different problem! When I hook my paddle up to my K3, it seems to send with a distinctively italian accent. None of the firmware updates address this issue, and I am totally frustrated. Do you suppose the problem could be that I am using a Begali paddle? Help! Dave W7AQK Well, when I plug my straight key into the paddle jack it cries Dada, Dada, Dada... It's so touching that the keyer recognizes its forbears. Really brings a tear to my eye. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:58:27 -0700, Brett Howard wrote: I understand that but I'm not so sure that both adjustment while hearing the pitch and adjustment while hearing a signal is needed. Why not just adjustment while hearing sigs? Brett, You got me... if while adjusting the pitch we could hear the signal I can't think of any reason to prefer the sidetone. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:16:16 -0700, Keith N1AS wrote: I don't disagree at all Drew. I would fancy having the RIT / XIT knob operate as a CW Pitch control so one knob could vary all required parameters in real time. Until that day comes, I'm thinking I can get most of the functionality using 2 knobs (RIT Shift). Actually, using 2 knobs makes me feel more like a real ham radio operator since I'm actually using 2 knobs plus my brain to make an adjustment LOL! - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - Well, Keith... the next thing you will be telling me is you prefer a straight key or bug over a keyer... hee,hee. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
Yes, PITCH would seem like a good choice for the signal pitch adjustment. Or perhaps signal pitch could be made an additional option for the RIT/XIT control when RIT/XIT is off? (RIT is already an optional coarse tune control and has also been suggested as an optional band switch.) For sidetone pitch adjustment, perhaps MON could allow it with a 2nd push? Then you'd have sidetone pitch and volume with a single control. Makes sense? 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:50:48 -0400, Steve Ellington wrote: How about eliminating the tone when pushing either pitch or mon and only producint the tone when pushing spot? That seems like a good compromise. That way we could change pitch or st level mid-QSO and still have the tone available when we want it. Steve Ellington [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:25 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:21:17 -0500, Nick, WA5BDU wrote: Adjust pitch without hearing it? I can't imagine that. I wasn't suggesting that the ability to adjust sidetone pitch be eliminated. Merely that we have the additional ability to interactively adjust the pitch of the received signal. Yes, both pitches are the same. But as it is now you cannot hear the effect on the signal itself while adjusting PITCH-- the received audio is cut off and the sidetone comes on. This makes it difficult to tell what pitch is optimum for the particular signal and the given reception conditions. IOW, I don't really care what the sidetone pitch is-- one is as good as another. It is the offset pitch of the signal that is important. So why not be able to adjust it for best copy under current conditions? We can adjust the volume of a signal while listening to it; so why not the pitch? Depending on noise, QRM, keying characteristics, speed, etc. you might want to alter the pitch for better copy. I think it would be useful. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
Brett, I'm not suggesting that offset pitch and sidetone pitch be different. They are the same. I'm suggesting that sometimes you want to adjust this pitch by listening to the sidetone and sometimes you want to adjust it by listening to the received signal. Currently you can't hear the signal while you adjust PITCH-- the received audio is blocked. Why would you want to vary the signal pitch? Because a different pitch can provide better copy under different reception condtions. But it's pretty hard to tell what that optimum pitch might be without listening to the signal as you adjust it, right? Now, you can vary the VFO in order to change the signal's pitch, but then you have detuned it. I want to vary the pitch of a signal without detuning it. The K3 can do this, only it doesn't let us hear the signal while doing it. 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:50:15 -0700, Brett Howard wrote: Sidetone pitch and signal pitch should always be the same. Otherwise its kinda hard to zerobeat a station to make sure the auto zero beat did things right. I realize there are too many people who don't understand how to zero beat a station but that doesn't mean we should add functionality to make it even harder for people to do things right. :) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:41:24 -0700, Keith N1AS wrote: Which brings us to the old fashioned way to adjust the pitch of the RX signal - RIT. It keeps the TX on the same frequency and as long as you don't adjust it too far, the signal will stay in the passband. Better yet, combine it with an IF Shift and you can go farther with RIT while keeping the signal where you want it in the passband. Keith, Say you have managed to tune in a very weak signal to the very optimum... no further adjustment on the K3 controls could improve it. Except, your offset is 400 Hz; but some combination of QRM, noise, his code speed, keying characteristics and your own psycho-acoustics would make it easier to copy at, say, 800 Hz. Turning the VFO (or RIT) 400 Hz will put him out of the passband (then use SHIFT, etc, i know...). Why not just be able to vary the pitch; the K3 keeps the signal centered in the passband. This seems like the obvious simple solution. I wonder if it would be possible to just have received audio when PITCH is engaged. Then we could turn the sidetone volume to zero and observe the pitch variation of the received signals directly. It is a little clumsy but I wouldn't mind and I don't think this feature would upset anyone with more control functions, etc. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
I don't adjust the sidetone level very often. Not sure I'd like to have it vary with the AF Gain. I think I like having it as a reference audio level. Mine is set at 25. What I would like is the option to adjust the PITCH without hearing the sidetone. In other words, listening to a weak signal I want to adjust it's pitch (offset) for best copy. Different signal conditions can warrant the use of different pitches for optimum copy. But you can't do this with the sidetone overriding the received audio. Even if you set the sideone level to zero the received audio is blocked whenever PITCH is on. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:53:14 -0700, Brett (KC7OTG) wrote: ?Just out of curiosity what do you gentlemen prefer? Do you like things better the way the K3 does things where the monitor level is a fixed output regardless of the AF knob. Or is the way the K1 does things more preferred. The STL menu entry allows one to set the side tone monitor as an offset from the RX level. So you set the monitor level and it gets louder or quieter as you adjust the AF Gain. My personal preference is the K1 method. I like this because if my wife is sleeping then I like to turn down the volume (if not go all the way and use headphones). I like to have the sidetone go down as well rather than make a separate adjustment. I'm not asking for any changes. Just curious to hear the thoughts of others on this topic. ~Brett (KC7OTG) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
I've been very happy with the AGC-NR on the K3, so turning off AGC is starting to become a last resort for me. And the configurable AGC parameters give you a lot of options, not one AGC fits all. (I do adjust the RF gain even with AGC on.) I also give signal reports corresponding to the s-meter reading. This is convenient with the K3's absolute meter mode (doesn't matter whether attenuator or preamp is on). It's just for my own interest, comparing signal strengths at the antenna terminals. Can't see why I wouldn't want to record them as long as I'm going to the trouble of making RST notations anyway. 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:03:27 -0700, Ron AC7AC wrote: Then there are those of us who set the AF gain and forget it, since we use the RF gain control to adjust the volume for each signal. Whether or not the sidetone level tracks the audio gain is of little concern. We turn off the AGC, so its characteristics are of no consequence. We give *real* signal reports based on what we hear, not on what an S-Meter tells us. There's a reason why a great many radiomen have preferred to operate that way over the years. For many of us, it's the easiest, fastest, and surest way to hear signals at their best. Frequently it's easier to do the simple stuff ourselves instead of expecting a box of parts and a gazillion lines of code to do it for us... Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone Monitor Preference Opinions
On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:21:17 -0500, Nick, WA5BDU wrote: Adjust pitch without hearing it? I can't imagine that. I wasn't suggesting that the ability to adjust sidetone pitch be eliminated. Merely that we have the additional ability to interactively adjust the pitch of the received signal. Yes, both pitches are the same. But as it is now you cannot hear the effect on the signal itself while adjusting PITCH-- the received audio is cut off and the sidetone comes on. This makes it difficult to tell what pitch is optimum for the particular signal and the given reception conditions. IOW, I don't really care what the sidetone pitch is-- one is as good as another. It is the offset pitch of the signal that is important. So why not be able to adjust it for best copy under current conditions? We can adjust the volume of a signal while listening to it; so why not the pitch? Depending on noise, QRM, keying characteristics, speed, etc. you might want to alter the pitch for better copy. I think it would be useful. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: anyone using Open Office?
On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:13:57 -0400, Doug KR2Q wrote: I'm curious about Open Office. Is anyone using it? Comments? Please reply directly to me. Thanks, de Doug KR2Q Yes, I use OO for windows, mostly the spreadsheet. The only thing I don't like is that it takes a minute or two for big (2 MB for me) spreadsheets to start up. It will read xls spreadsheets (and also make them if you don't try to do be too clever with your formulas). Also, xls and OO macros are not compatible; you will have to recode them for your existing sheets. But the price is right. I like it. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Adjust TX and RX Equalizer
On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:16:00 -0400, David Wilburn K4DGW wrote: Do any of the rig control tools adjust the menu / equalizer settings? I have had a difficult time making adjustments in the small window available in the menu screen. Any suggestions are appreciated. Well, I just dial the RxEQ in by ear and referring to the db values so a better graphical display isn't really necessary (i.e., select the bands with the number keys and dial in the eq with the vfo knob). It goes pretty quickly. But I think the RxEQ should be mode specific. You generally don't want the RXeq for CW the same as AM or SSB, and it's not very convenient having to change it every time you switch modes. I think this issue has been raised before. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ON4UN has a K3?
On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:45:37 -0700, Brett Howard wrote: The only reason I mention the labels is because it seems lately if you ask someone to press two buttons to get something done or to actually learn/remember something they look at you like you stole their favorite blanket. I love the whole press for one option and hold for another to get rid of having to press a F key and even more love the way that Elecraft laid out the panel so that often a press activates/inactivates a feature and a hold configures it. Can't get much simpler/cleaner than that. The panel layout works for me too. Anyone who has used it for awhile will realize they know where many of the functions are without needing to read the labels as to what is a tap and what is a push, etc. The only one I had trouble with was the WIDTH control. For some reason I kept expecting the filter b/w to become narrower as I turned it clockwise... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ON4UN has a K3?
Yes, Don, I agree completely. Forget about the labels entirely and just learn them by key position. However, I went with a vertical scheme vs your horizontal one... The first keypad column (1,4,7) is 160, 80, 40. Second column is 20 to 6 (6m stands apart way down there on the zero key); third column is the warc bands. I figure if I can keep track of forty-some keys on a keyboard without looking then I can memorize the positions of ten band buttons on the k3. Now my band locations just seem right! No label reading; no mental translation... the buttons ARE the bands! So, if the power goes out I can navigate the bands without even needing to see the buttons. (Admittedly, there isn't much point to navigating the band buttons when there is no power to the K3...) 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:03:25 -0400, Don W3FPR wrote: John, No matter what 'system' a particular person uses, he will get used to it. I have mine set: 1 = 80m 2 = 40m 3 = 30m --- the low bands 4 = 20m 5 = 15m 6 = 10m --- the high bands' 7 = 17m 8 = 12m 9 = 6m --- the WARC bands (almost) 0 = 160m --- TOP BAND 60 meters is seldom used here, so it is select 80 meters and then tap the BAND up button. I can easily remember the order without having to remember what number is associated with it. YMMV, everyone's mind works differently. I wonder how ON4UN would want to set his? Maybe he is happy with the BAND buttons. 73, Don W3FPR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Band Button gripe - was ON4UN has a K3?
Don, here's another idea... Right now, the RIT knob has the option of being used as a coarse VFO tuner when RIT and XIT are off. Perhaps people would like the option of using it as a band switch instead? (I am pretty happy with the numeric keypad system myself.) 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:38:26 -0700 (PDT), Don Rasmussen wrote: It still sticks in my craw that I have 5 single press buttons on the front panel that I'll never use. Elecraft - please make these available for use as single press BAND buttons. M1 M2 M3 M4 REC 80 40 20 15 10 That way we get into the ballpark with a single press and can band up or band down from there. Seriously, this should be a no-brainer! == ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Stability
On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:03:51 -0500, Bob, K9PAG wrote: I am sitting here with K3 #818 with firmware release 1.7X waiting a version of the K3 firmware to stabilize and be around for longer than a few days before a new version or new Bata development is released. Sort of like tracking a moving target that never stops moving. I have noticed the frequency of firmware releases does not seem to diminish. Am I expecting too much and should just join the crowd downloading release after release? Bob, K9PAG It's really easy to update the firmware (or go back to previous version) so I don't see any point in waiting for it to stabilize. I like the constant stream of fw revisions and enjoy installing them. Usually products which boast upgradeable firmware will have a revision or two (for major bug fixes) then that's it. With Elecraft you get the idea that they will be enhancing the operation of the rig, not just fixing a few major bugs and moving on to something else. Having said that, I only install the updates when they involve some feature that I'm interested in. I did the latest version because I'm interested in the AGC mods. I bet there are probably a number of firmware improvements since version 1.7 which you would enjoy having. Have you checked the revision history? It's located at http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_fw_release_notes.htm 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] Hilberling PT-8000 cancelled.
Sounds like they didn't piece off the right bureaucrats. It must take some serious bakshish to get a new product through that multi-country regulatory maze. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:55:24 +0200, Simon Brown, HB9DRV wrote: http://www.hilberling.de/news/news.htm Translation by Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ Due to the constant obstacles which we must overcome in ensuring compliance with EU-wide governmental regulations imposed on manufacturers, we were required to make constant design changes to this top-quality transceiver. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Beta 2.19
On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:32:36 -0700, Vic, K2VCO wrote: Phillip Buckholdt wrote: Hi Don, Lyle and Vic In v2.16 I had slope set to 15 and Threshold set to 5. I reloaded v2.19 and to get audio level up I have set slope to 0 and threshold to 8. I have not found any 9++ sigs on 20 just yet. I have my threshold on 5, which in my case doesn't allow any AGC activation on noise or weak signals. Having the slope on 0 will give you very minimal AGC action -- mine is presently set to 8. Well, I don't have any signals here, but with S-6 noise level I find the maximum threshold (=8) is very aggressive. I would have thought the threshold would have a greater range than this; i.e., the maximum value not cutting in as low as s-6 or lower. (But I don't know what it was with the previous MCU version.) Is there a graph available relating AGC threshold values (onset of AGC action) to s-meter readings? Just curious. But really, I guess there isn't much point in fooling with it until there are a few signals on the bands. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: band enable/disable option ?
I had suggested that the UP/DOWN buttons be made to operate on a user-selectable contiguous range of memories, much like the Channel Hopping scan function; but instead of an automatic scan the user would be able to step through them with UP/DOWN. That way one could program one's own band sequence: WARC, non-WARC, CW, SSB, etc. or skip bands for which you have no antenna. You could also reverse the order as one guy wanted (i.e., UP = longer wavelength, not higher freq). Also, you could program your SWL bands, which currently do not play well with BAND UP/DOWN.. Of course, I have no idea how feasible it would be to implement this. But on the surface it seems like it would be a neat feature. The BAND UP/DOWN control is not necessary at all because the K3 has a number of convenient memory access functions with which you can get around. The way it is, UP/DOWN just seems a little too restrictive to be of much use at all. 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:03:30 +0200, Lexa, ok1dst wrote: Maybe we can talk about BAND ENABLE config option which can disable some band(-s) from band UP/DOWN selection for example WARC bands in time on some WW Contest or all HF bands during transverter mode or some personal preferencies as 160 - 80 - 30m fast switching only etc. Coming back to enable status for some band can be done via direct frq entry and then BAND ENABLE in config. This enable/disable idea is only about band UP/DOWN button behavior nothing about mode or tuning/freq input/computer control just idea 73! Lexa, ok1dst K3/10 #727 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] BCB sensitivity [K3]
You can set the KAT3 menu config entry to LCSet. Exit the menu then tap ATU TUNE. You can set the L and C values individually with the A and B VFO controls. But it doesn't seem to make any difference in the AM received signal as far as I can tell. I'm using a 100' wire for an antenna. 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:53:52 -0600, KM5Q wrote: Mike, How do you tune the ATU optimally for BCB, since you can't transmit? Windy KM5Q Sometimes the ATU helps and sometimes the ATU hurts signals on the BCB. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] BCB sensitivity [K3]
Also, while dialing in the L and C values, tap ANT to switch between CA and CT. However, it seems you can't adjust the two caps independently; whatever value is dialed in for CA is duplicated for CT, and vice versa. Is this a bug? 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:16:37 -0400, AF2Z wrote: You can set the KAT3 menu config entry to LCSet. Exit the menu then tap ATU TUNE. You can set the L and C values individually with the A and B VFO controls. But it doesn't seem to make any difference in the AM received signal as far as I can tell. I'm using a 100' wire for an antenna. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] BCB sensitivity [K3]
Ok..., it seems the ANT switch, which is supposed to be switching between CA and CT while in the LCSet mode, is actually switching antennas as it would do in normal operation. I guess this is a bug, unless I'm doing something wrong here... 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:30:44 -0400, AF2Z wrote: Also, while dialing in the L and C values, tap ANT to switch between CA and CT. However, it seems you can't adjust the two caps independently; whatever value is dialed in for CA is duplicated for CT, and vice versa. Is this a bug? 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:16:37 -0400, AF2Z wrote: You can set the KAT3 menu config entry to LCSet. Exit the menu then tap ATU TUNE. You can set the L and C values individually with the A and B VFO controls. But it doesn't seem to make any difference in the AM received signal as far as I can tell. I'm using a 100' wire for an antenna. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] BCB sensitivity [K3]
Ok, my final conclusion (i promise) Manually adjusting the L and C values of the ATU DOES have an effect on BCB reception (had my RF gain turned down before, so seemed like there was no difference). Maximum L (17.35 pH) gives maximum received signal strength on a short antenna, as expected. However, you can't adjust CA and CT independently. And checking all of my pretuned bands the values for CA and CT on any given band are equivalent (which seems odd). Furthermore, merely selecting between CA and CT with the ANT button while in LCSet mode has an effect on the received signal-- a couple of s-units difference between the two is what I noticed. (But I don't think it is the antenna relay being switched, as mentioned before.) What I want to know is, are the displayed values for CA and CT correct, and can they be adjusted independently of each other? BTW, I am using F/W ver 2.13. Thanks, 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:43:44 -0400, AF2Z wrote: Ok..., it seems the ANT switch, which is supposed to be switching between CA and CT while in the LCSet mode, is actually switching antennas as it would do in normal operation. I guess this is a bug, unless I'm doing something wrong here... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] BCB sensitivity
Ok, Chuck, thanks alot. That explains all. I was thinking it was a pi with two capacitors. So anyway, for BCB reception, the capacitor doesn't do much and you would pretty much want to have maximum L, right? 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:03:02 -0700 (PDT), Chuck, AE4CW wrote: Vic and Drew, The ATU in the K3 is a low-pass L design which has a series inductance and *either* an input (Ct) *or* output (Ca) shunting capacitance. There is only one capacitance in this desigh, not two. The single capacitance is switched between the input (Ct side - transceiver) or output (Ca side - antenna) of the inductance. So, when you are in CONFIG:KAT3 -- LCSET -- ATU TUNE, tapping ANT switches the capacitance between the input and output of the inductance. You can hear the relay switch when tapping ANT and sometimes hear a distinct difference in the received signal. In general the capacitance will need to be on the input (Ct) side when the antenna impedance is below 50 ohms and on the output side when the antenna impedance is greater than 50 ohm. You can look at the circuit design in the K3 schematics (documentation page on the web) if you would like to get a more detailed understanding. Or, you could also look at a program like TLW (transmission line wizard) that will calculate and show you a picture of the correct values for a low-pass L ATU with any given values of antenna impedances. Hope this helps! 73, Chuck, AE4CW ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] (K1, KX1, K2, K3): Is the Sun Broken?
Wow, a contrarian view of the solar cycle from a NASA physicist, standing firm against the growing buzz in lay and academic circles. Or is it. Since the recent clarification of Administrator Michael D. Griffin's heretical view on global warming the number of NASA people who are willing to take a public position against any aspect of the global warming dogma are probably fewer than the number of sunspots in July. I don't think you willl be hearing any of them speculating about the possibility of another Maunder Minimum, however interesting and informative such speculation would be. Anyhow, there is a cure for poor band conditions: a new K3. Even if there are no signals I can switch the NR on and off. Amazing. I wish every rig had NR like the K3. I bet that would put a few more people on the bands. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:21:42 -0700, Ron AC7AC wrote: This applies to all HF rigs ;-) While you're sitting around waiting for the next big solar cycle, you might enjoy checking out this story from NASA about old Sol. This was passed onto me by my buddy Mychael, AA3WF (the toroidguy): http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list96374 8 I look at that spike back in the late 50's fondly. That was my first solar cycle as a Ham. At least there's no sign we're going to experience another 70-year long spotless Maunder Minimum Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Scan Rate
The RATE button gives you a choice of scan rates but it would be nice if there was a wider range of scan speeds available. Depending on how much band you want to cover, how crowded it is and what you're scanning for, you might want anything from very slow to very fast, with a lot of variability in between. If you could adjust the scan rate interactively while scanning, that would be super. Also would be nice if the dwell time was user selectable (i.e., the amount of time a scan will pause on an active freq before resuming the scan). I don't think many people use the scanner on HF but I have found it very handy on the K2 looking for CW signals. Haven't tried it on the K3 yet, but from the manual description it looks pretty much the same. 73, Drew AF2Z On Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:28:10 +, Chris, G4BUE wrote: Is it possible to vary the speed of scanning on the K3, please? I am trying to set up my K3 for Channel Hopping the 60m frequencies and so far can only do it with a too fast scan rate. Thanks and 73 de Chris, G4BUE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Band Selection options
On Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:16:16 -0700 (PDT), Neal WA6OCP wrote: Personally, I don't use band buttons anymore. The memories are so easy and quick. For each band, I have two, or more, dedicated memories with frequency and mode. Tap MV, spin the VFO A knob, tap MV and you are done. Spin with caution - you can rip through dozens of memories in short order. hi hi 73, Neal WA6OCP I'm going to start doing this now that we have the ability to clear memory locations. I usually go to the trouble of setting something like this up only to figure out when finished I should have done it differently. I'll put the CW ham bands in one bank and SWL bands in another. Some often used channels in other banks. Another advantage of memory selection of bands is you don't have to clack through the relays on every intermediate band. This is not so easy to accomplish with the Band buttons on the K3 as it was on the K2. (Hey, I like to take care of my rig; why clack the relays unnecessarily.) 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Band switching feature request
Would it be possible to have the Band Up/Down buttons operate upon a sequential memory range (similar to Channel Hopping, only manually via the Up/Down buttons, not scanned). Then you could define your own bands (CW, SSB, SWBC, etc.) and choose which one you want the Band Up/Down buttons to act on. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW speed request
On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:53:14 +0100, David G4DMP/G3KEP wrote: In a recent message, charles [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote ... Is it possible to have a speed step of .5 in between the present CW speed settings of whole numbers? I am particularly looking for a CW speed of 21.5 wpm just now. Charles, I doubt that the tolerance of the K3 displayed speed is better than +/- 0.5wpm, so you may find that 21 or 22wpm could be just the speed you are looking for. Have you measured it accurately? Your findings would be of interest here. 73 I measured the sidetone dah lengths at the speaker: A 22wpm dah is 0.207 sec; a 21wpm dah is 0.219 sec. Not sure about the conversion to wpm but I think this comes out to 24 wpm and 22.8 wpm respectively; could be wrong. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW speed request
Dahs are actually twice the length of dits, I think. Or technically, the dah period is twice the dit period (i.e., a dah sound plus its space is equal to two dit sounds and their spaces). I measured the dahs instead of dits because I don't have a keyer; just pluged my mono straight key plug into the paddle jack and it gives dahs. I measured the period by averaging over five dah periods with the K3 readout set at 22 wpm and 21 wpm, giving periods of 0.207s and 0.219s, as mentioned. I measured the sidetone at the headphone jack using audio waveform software. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:39:55 -0700, andy, ae6y wrote: Those dashes sound a little long. The formula normally used to calculate lengths of elements is dot length (msec) equals 1200 divided by wpm. Thus, at 22 wpm, the dot length should be 54.5 msec. Dashes are normally three times as long, i.e., 163.5 msec. 73, andy, ae6y - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 03, 2008 6:58 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW speed request On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:53:14 +0100, David G4DMP/G3KEP wrote: In a recent message, charles [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote ... Is it possible to have a speed step of .5 in between the present CW speed settings of whole numbers? I am particularly looking for a CW speed of 21.5 wpm just now. Charles, I doubt that the tolerance of the K3 displayed speed is better than +/- 0.5wpm, so you may find that 21 or 22wpm could be just the speed you are looking for. Have you measured it accurately? Your findings would be of interest here. 73 I measured the sidetone dah lengths at the speaker: A 22wpm dah is 0.207 sec; a 21wpm dah is 0.219 sec. Not sure about the conversion to wpm but I think this comes out to 24 wpm and 22.8 wpm respectively; could be wrong. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW speed request
Ok, using your formula, and allowing for my measurement of dah periods (not just dah sound portion of cycle), substituting equivalent dit sound time (at assumed 3:1 ratio), I get the following conversions: 22 wpm K3 readout measured 0.207 dah period 51.8 msec dit sound equivalent at 3:1 ratio 23.2 wpm calculated by the 1200 formula 21 wpm K3 readout measured 0.219 dah period 54.8 msec dit sound equivalent at 3:1 ratio 21.9 wpm calculated by the 1200 formula 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:39:55 -0700, andy, ae6y wrote: Those dashes sound a little long. The formula normally used to calculate lengths of elements is dot length (msec) equals 1200 divided by wpm. Thus, at 22 wpm, the dot length should be 54.5 msec. Dashes are normally three times as long, i.e., 163.5 msec. 73, andy, ae6y ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Software suggestion: a more prominent TEST indicator
Morse code legends for button pushes would probably be very useful to those who have vision problems (I don't). But ergonomics counts for an awful lot, too. Especially during long sessions at the rig. Being able to access functions without consciously searching for the buttons and then having to shift focus to the display to see what state those buttons are in... this admittedly tiny effort does add up over time. So, I'd place audible/Morse feedback somehat above coolness factor, if not exactly top priority. Also, compared to the K2, the K3 buttons don't have the same satisfactory tactile snap. Even a simple short tone upon button push would add a lot to the operating experience I believe. I'm looking forward to this feature but no, it isn't a top priority. 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:55:05 -0700, Brett (KC7OTG) wrote: Morse code legends are cool. I always kinda dug that the kenwood would beep the first char of the mode that you just set things to. Now that I'm starting to learn code a little better I start to like them more and more. I'd put them at VERY low priority but do have to admit they're more of a coolness factor than much of anything else. Some of the warnings could benefit from audible nuggets. Such as the High RFI, High SWR, High Current, Batt Low. You know the ones that are warning you to stop your foolishness before you break things. ~Brett (KC7OTG) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Software suggestion: a more prominent TEST indicator
I'm actually a little more worried the TEST mode will be off when it actually isn't. I like to bang out a few practice lines of code every now and then just to keep the fist limbered up. It is kind of embarrassing to open up on the air with a few stanzas from Kubla Khan or something, thinking the transmitter is disabled... Rather than a bigger visual indication for TEST, I would rather have an audible warning. Say, a distinctive chirp every 5 seconds or so. Perhaps other functions could also benefit from audible annunciatiors/warning chirps. These would be user selectable, of course. Aren't there plans to do this? I thought I read somewhere that audio chirps and Morse Code legends would be addded for various button pushes/functions? 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:43:51 -0700, Carl WS7L wrote: It's just too easy to miss the little blinking TX annunciator if you've left your K3 in test mode. How about once in a while doing something more dramatic like scrolling TX TEST across the VFO A display, or flashing the display, or making the SWR and power meter displays flicker in some obnoxious way, or ... The challenge is to think of something that doesn't impair any useful aspect of test mode. 73 thanks for listening, Carl WS7L ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Software suggestion: a more prominent TESTindicator
An inocuous chirp from the K3 every five seconds would be simpler than a big CH-801 HP SWR meter, I think. (A chirp would take up far less desk space as well.) 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:42:01 +0200, Simon Brown, HB9DRV wrote: I have a nice big SWR meter - CN-801 HP so I can quickly see if there's any smoke going up the coax. What could be simpler? Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rather than a bigger visual indication for TEST, I would rather have an audible warning. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] Software suggestion: a more prominent TEST indicator
Nah, voice warnings are not effective. Most of us spend our days ignoring the vocal clatter pouring from cellphones, tv's , radios, etc. (CW ops, anyway...) What is needed is a switched relay on the K3 that would set off a large fire alarm type bell. And maybe an electric jolt to the chair seat for out-of-band operation... Seriously, for people who don't see too well a couple of optional audible annunciators might be useful. So tell me, why would a periodic warning chirp be any more silly than a little TX icon flashing at 1/2-second intervals? 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:56:53 -0700 (PDT), Julian, G4ILO wrote: drewko1 wrote: An inocuous chirp from the K3 every five seconds would be simpler than a big CH-801 HP SWR meter, I think. (A chirp would take up far less desk space as well.) Why stop at a chirp? Elecraft could make a voice synthesis module, like the ones in car sat-nav equipment. Whenever you key down, a user-selectable voice (Arnie Schwarzenegger? Margaret Thatcher?) could say Warning. Test mode selected. Other warnings could save the user from making potentially expensive or simply embarrasing mistakes, like: Warning: High SWR detected. or Voice modes not permitted in the CW sub-band. It could even offer helpful pile-up breaking tips if it detects that you have been calling for several minutes on the same frequency. - Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392 G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com KComm for K2/K3: www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] Software suggestion: a more prominent TEST indicator
On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:56:53 -0700 (PDT), Julian, G4ILO wrote: Why stop at a chirp? Elecraft could make a voice synthesis module, like the ones in car sat-nav equipment. Whenever you key down, a user-selectable voice (Arnie Schwarzenegger? Margaret Thatcher?) could say Warning. Test mode selected. BTW, to answer my own question a couple of posts back... It is the SWTONE entry in the config menu (not yet implemented) which will allow Morse Code feedback or audio tone on any control activation... Looking forward to that. I assume it is imminent if it is listed on the config menu (or at least definite). 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 operating scripts vs. operating tips
I think MODE should be the foundation upon which the various interconnected functions are built. I would like to see a mode-specific band switch scheme. For example, if you are in CW, switching bands will recall the frequency, filter settings, etc. which you last used in CW; further taps on the BAND buttons will take you through all your last used CW settings on the different bands. If you switch to AM it would recall the last used AM freqs (different from the CW settings), filter, RX eq, etc. Same for SSB, etc. This could also be the basis for sensible general coverage band switching as well. Some details would have to be worked out but a few simple rules would make this MODE-based scheme workable and convenient, I believe. What programming resources, memory, etc. it would require, I have no idea... But that's my suggestion. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:23:12 -0400, Don W3FPR wrote: Ron, I like that! I set CW mode, and CW mode stays, etc. Covering just a few more related comments: I usually can remember what I have set on or off over a short period, but with all the combinations and 'magic' that are possible with the K3 and other radios that make use of memories, I have to remember what I have set into those memories, and because of that, I usually do not use memories. Some asked for a radio that had knobs and buttons, others asked for a radio that can do 'magic' in a contest situation, and we now have a radio that can do both, but the UI is growing more complex. You are correct, the more function coupling there is to a single button tap or press, the more difficult it is to learn to use the radio. IMHO, I would rather press 2 buttons in sequence for a combined function than to have the radio attempt to do it for me. Radios today are getting complex and that complexity shows through in the User Interface - it has to be learned. I liken it to learning the controls of a 747 (but I am just guessing, I have not examined the controls of a 747). The 'decoupling' you suggest might bring it down to the level of the controls on a common automobile which should be more intuitive for the average operator. 73, Don W3FPR Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Maybe I'm speaking a Ham heresy, but I'd love to see the ability to disconnect all the interconnected functions on the K3. I'd love to see the K3 controls do ONE thing. That is, when I select MODE:CW, I'd like the radio to be in CW mode and not change if I switch VFOs or bands. If I select ANT1, the radio should remain on ANT1 no matter which band I choose, etc. I realize that the complex interconnected functions that have been evolved are invaluable to serious DX chasers and contesters. And to learn them, the scripts and tips sound like a great idea. But for myself, I'd rather not have the radio second-guess me using some complex logic that I'm obligated to learn in order to operate it ;-) Ron AC7AC ___ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Choosing which filters to buy
Remember that whatever 'roofing' filters you get you will still have DSP filtering down to 50 Hz. My K3 will be used almost exclusively for CW and SWL/AM bcst. So I got the 13 KHz filter for AM reception, along with the 500 Hz filter and the stock 2.7. Maybe I'll get the 200 or 250 at some point, figuring that for CW in those rare instances when the 500 5-pole isn't good enough the narrower filter will save the day. 73, Drew AF2Z On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:05:59 -0700 (PDT), Shane VK5ABQ wrote: 1. I plan to configure my K3 with the following filters - Stock 2.7KHz KBF3 General Coverage RX Filter Module AM 6KHz FM 12KHz CW 400Hz 8 pole (uncertain about this filter) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX eq for CW
On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:20:10 -0400, I wrote: 50 +16 100+16 200+16 400+10 800+9 1600 +1 2400 -6 3200 -6 Ok, that didn't work real well. Or should I say, it worked too well... I set these up on a noisy, empty band along with my room a/c providing lots of ambient noise. When I finally got to try it out on a busy band (SKCC sprint last night), it was way too much boost. Finally, I just turned off the RX eq. This weekend should be a good time to mess with these settings and the DUAL PB. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 CW Text Decode
Just wondering... Can the CW Text Decoder be made to read (or try to read) your manual key while in Test mode? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 noise blanker sure does the job.
You can try switching off a suspected street lamp by beaming its photocell with a laser pointer. The photocell is located on top of the lamp housing. It is directional, usually oriented toward the north (but not always) so you would have to spot it with the laser from this particular direction. You could go around the neighborhood with a portable radio and a laser pointer, trying each lamp. Or set up a recorder at your rig, tuned to WWV time signals, and log the times when you switch off particular streetlamps. Having a tripod for the laser pointer might help. A green laser will make a nice beam which you can see, not just a spot. How you explain your activities to the cops when they pick you up is another story... 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:11:23 -0700, Brett Howard wrote: ?I've got a HUGE problem in my area too. It only comes on at night (not all nights though) and its periodic. Like a lil over a minute on and then 40 something seconds off and it goes on and off like that all night. It generally comes on shortly after the street lamps do. A talk with the power company results in a guy calling back saying he was in the area and couldn't hear anything. Well no doubt you weren't there when the noise is. And he says that if its the street lamps they have no jurisdiction I have to speak with the city. Unfortunately I have no real way to tell what light it is. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX eq for CW
On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:56:10 -0700, Lyle KK7P wrote: Don't forget the dual passband CW feature of the K3. In CW mode, just DUAL PB and adjust the width to the total width you wish to monitor. Your preferred pitch will be accentuated, but you can still get band context. 73, Lyle KK7P I'm looking forward to trying that on a crowded band. So far since I've gotten my K3, every time I turn the rig on band conditions are poor and the signals have been few and far between. For those who asked, here are my RXeq settings. I'm not sure how much use they will be to others. The settings will be dependent on band conditions, speakers/headphones, hearing acuity and personal preference. I expect to be tweaking these settings fairly often. Using a 600 Hz offset/sidetone and a 2.5 KHz bandwidth, here are my present numbers on a noisy 40m daytime band: 50 +16 100+16 200+16 400+10 800+9 1600 +1 2400 -6 3200 -6 I did these by ear without regard to the numbers. The 3200 band setting has no effect since the CW b/w only goes to 2.8 KHz. At least, I can't hear any effect . I just dialed in the minus-6 number for it to be consistent. I adjusted these with NR off, figuring they would allow less-aggressive NR when I do use it. The low bands are cranked all the way up. They don't contribute any noise that I can hear and I want to be able to hear off-freq signals at these low tones. The high bands are cut just enough to remove the most irritating portion of the noise. But again, not too much as I want to be able to hear the off freq signals. Except for the 400 and 800 bands these setting can probably remain unchanged. But these two I expect to tweak pretty often (my sidetone is 600 Hz). I'll just tweak them on a signal for the best noise margin as I hear it. I wouldn't mind having more than 8 bands of eq up to 3200 Hz. Of couse, only eight bars can fit on the display at one time. Maybe they could scroll right and left if bands 9 through 12 were added? But really, 8 bands works well enough. Once the eq settings are dialed it would be nice to be able to switch back and forth to a flat setting for a quick comparison. Pushing the CLR button restores to flat but then you lose your settings and have to dial them all in again. I wonder if CLR could be made to toggle between your own settings and flat instead of wiping them out? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX eq for CW
Yes, thanks to Steve. Fooling around with Rx eq I used his settings as a starting point and adjusted as follows: I cut some of the higher bands as he did in order to reduce noise. But not too much, in order to hear signals farther off freq I generally use a pretty wide xfil to hear more of the adjacent signals. (There aren't too many of them out there lately.) I also boosted the low bands because they don't add much noise and will make it easier to hear those who call far off-frequency on the high side (i.e., lower tone). My sidetone is 600 Hz and I can hear off-freq signals up to about 500 Hz lower in tone (higher on the dial). So RX equalization is most useful to those of us who like a wide CW filter b/w. Yes, Bud, it would be very nice if the RX eq was mode specific. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:44:33 -0700, Bud N7CW wrote: Steve, Thanks for this insight. Can the RX EQ be saved per mode, that is, one for SSB and one for CW? Thanks and 73, Bud N7CW -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n4lq Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:44 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX eq for CW Drew: I have my sidetone pitch set for 550 Hz. The RX EQ is adjusted so that the 400 HZ band (button 4) is at +2 and the others above that are all set for -16. This eliminated a lot of QRN and other band noise plus gives a slight peak near the IF center. Speaker choice will play a roll in this decision. 73 Steve Ellington ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AM feature request
On Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:42:37 +0100, you wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Would it be possible to have a 1 KHz tuning step for AM? Unless I missed something it seems the smallest AM coarse step is 5 KHz. 1 KHz would be a lot better for tuning around the SWBC bands; 5 is just too coarse. Thanks. Short wave broadcast stations are channelised with 5kHz channels; why would 1kHz steps be useful? The 5 khz tuning steps are awfully touchy, even at the lowest VFO rate (100 counts per turn). That's 500 Khz per only one turn of the knob-- practically a complete band. That is just too coarse for comfortable tuning. A little nudge and you've flown by 10 or 15 Khz. The tuning steps for AM don't make any practical sense. FINE gives you 1 and 10 Hz, COARSE takes a huge jump to 5 KHz. Shouldn't there be something between 10 Hz and 5 KHz? Seems like 100 Hz and/or 1 Khz should be in there somewhere. (Unless I've missed something here...) 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AM feature request
Thanks, Don. That is a big improvement. I did suspect that I was missing something (and yes, I'm guilty of not having studied the manual enough). I notice that while in COARSE, tapping RATE drops you back into FINE. It might be nice if instead it switched to, say, 500 Hz steps. But the 50 Hz steps are quite comfortable for HF AM. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:48:27 -0400, Don W3FPR wrote: Drew, Use the fine/coarse controls in conjunction with the RATE button. Tap the RATE button until the 100 Hz digit place blinks and that allows you to easily tune in 50 Hz steps which is 5 kHz per revolution with a 100 count setting. That is certainly good enough for me. It takes a lot of manual reading along with some experimenting with the K3 to discover all its flexibility - so for those who have not yet done so, 'Read The Fine Manual'. Fortunately, the default setting result in a quite workable radio, so it is usable after only skimming the manual, if you want more, a bit of study is required. 73, Don W3FPR [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The tuning steps for AM don't make any practical sense. FINE gives you 1 and 10 Hz, COARSE takes a huge jump to 5 KHz. Shouldn't there be something between 10 Hz and 5 KHz? Seems like 100 Hz and/or 1 Khz should be in there somewhere. (Unless I've missed something here...) 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 RX eq for CW
Just curious, has anyone found RX eq to be useful for CW? Just wondering what settings people like, if not flat. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 AM feature request
Would it be possible to have a 1 KHz tuning step for AM? Unless I missed something it seems the smallest AM coarse step is 5 KHz. 1 KHz would be a lot better for tuning around the SWBC bands; 5 is just too coarse. Thanks. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Synchronous AM Receive
I noticed that Sync Det is already listed in the config menu (just not implemented yet.) Likewise for audio annunciators for button pushes (and button identification in Morse... did I dream that?... can't seem to find it now.) Anyhow, I think that will be very nice as the tactile feedback on the buttons is not as snappy as it is on the K2. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:21:46 -0700 (PDT), you wrote: Yeah, well... it had better be soon. Us SWL natives are getting restless! ;-) (We tease because we love...) Paul WW2PT ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Suggestion - Spot/Pitch
FWIW, another suggestion for the pile... While tuning some weak CW with my new K3 it occurred to me that the ability to vary the pitch of received signals might be userful. Under marginal conditions this might prove handy in optimizing a weak signal. Of course, we have the PITCH control-- but when it is activated the sidetone comes on and the received audio is cut off. I suggest that the sidetone should be absent and the received audio should be heard when PITCH is activated. Then by varying VFOB one can directly alter the pitch of the signal(s). Now, since VFOB has no function while SPOT is on, perhaps it could be used to vary the sidetone pitch. In short... PITCH would allow you to directly vary the pitch of received signals while listening to them, while SPOT would allow you to vary the pitch of the sidetone. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 #1029 Build
The build went fine except for mounting the speaker. I think the supplied fiber and toothed lock washers are too small in diameter for the width of the speaker mounting slots. It's pretty difficult to keep them from slipping through the slots, and then the screws go crooked.. I finally gave up and just used larger fiber washers. I also updated the firmware, no problem. Used a straight serial connection to the PC. But I'm wondering, would it be okay to plug in the serial cable while the K3 and PC are powered up? Here's an assembly hint... Use a magnetized screwdriver. It is much, much more convenient! (The only screws that aren't magnetic are the display window screws.) 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band changing...Devils Advocate...
On Sat, 31 May 2008 23:35:39 -0400, Joe, W4TV wrote: The key are dedicated band select buttons that allow random access (direct switching) selection with the ability to choose alternate saved frequencies (generally, on the other modes) with successive presses of the specific band button. 73, ... Joe, W4TV Just wondering... in that scheme, is the particular mode always retained when you switch to a new band? Or might you have to push the button a time or two to get back to the same mode on the new band. I assume people don't generally check out all the modes on a particular band before switching to the next band. Seems more natural to choose a mode then jump to other bands while in the same mode. As I mentioned in another post, you could have pretty much the same capability as the multiple band buttons by using only the Band Up and Band Down buttons, if they were made mode specific. For example, in CW the buttons would step through one set of freqs/filter settings; in USB/LSB they would step through another different set; likewise for AM, etc. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band changing...Devils Advocate...
On Sat, 31 May 2008 10:17:24 -0700, Brian, WB6RQN wrote: As I tune across the band I often hear a signal that sounds interesting, e.g. a station in QSO that I want to go back to or a pile- up I don't want to try to deal with now, but I don't want to stop there. I want to keep going. So usually I quickly scribble the frequency on a piece of paper but lately I have taken to use the VFO A/ B to remember the frequency in VFO B while continuing to tune with VFO A (not much use when working split). So I think what people are asking for is a way to hit a single button to drop the frequency, mode, and filter setting in to temporary memory that will remember the last n (2? 3? 10?) button pushes. Then you can move through these by pushing some kind of go-to-previous/go-to-next button. That way you can immediately jump back to something you had previously heard. (I like the idea of a knob myself but a forward/back toggle works too.) I'd often thought that idea would be good for a TV remote control unit (instead of the standard single-channel Last memory button)... until I realized that I often click through a hundred cable channels and there is not one channel I want to go back to, let alone many... But yes, that would be a nice feature for a ham rig (and especially a general coverage receiver), in my opinion. I've also been day-dreaming about a mode-specific Band Up/Down switch. For example, in CW mode the frequencies/settings recalled by cycling through Band Up/Down would be different than those when you are in USB/LSB. Or AM, etc. This would suit me because I usually stick to a single mode and jump around the bands, rather than switching among different modes within a single band. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band changing...Devils Advocate...
I don't have a K3 yet but I'm happy with the Band+ and Band- buttons on my K2. I pretty much know how many pushes I'll need to get from one band to another, usually only one or two away. Anyhow, the display changes instantly with each button push before the relays get a chance to switch, so you can quickly step through multiple bands, watching the display without tripping the relays, until your target band is reached. For the ten or so ham bands we have this seems like a reasonable way of getting around. I don't know that I'd want ten or twelve extra buttons for this. That just doesn't seem any more convenient to me. In fact, it is less convenient. (But then I am a bug and straight key op so pushing a switch many hundreds of times in sequence is not a big deal to me, haha!) I never have to look at the Band+/Band- buttons; I know where they are by touch and can just focus on the display. I see that the K3 also has them in the same location: top left corner. That is ideal as far as I'm concerned. Now, getting around the non-ham bands is a different story. I'm not too crazy about direct frequency entry. Would prefer to just spin a knob to increment or decrement the frequency in 1-Mhz steps, maybe five 1-MHz steps per each full turn of the knob. I understand there is some problem with going between ham bands and non ham frequencies. I expect this will get straightened out at some point. 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 30 May 2008 09:18:58 -0400, Dave W8FGU wrote: Ok, lets see if I get it - users want to randomly assign bands to a set of buttons in an order of their choosing, that makes sense to the operation they are performing, then memorize the meaning of the buttons, and call up a particular (and memorized) band with a single button. And this would be more convenient than cycling through the band select buttons, presumably because you are forced to cycle through bands you may not need to at this point in your operation. Am I getting this right? I apologize for the bandwidth - I'm just trying to get educated. 73, Dave W8FGU ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Wait and Wait and Wait!
Hello Ed, Yes, some people would prefer to wait till they can buy one without waiting... For myself, I ordered one before I'd decided whether or not to actually buy one-- so it is really Elecraft who is waiting for me. I think they will be sending me an email any day now asking for my decision. I imagine they are probably getting pretty nervous about my final intentions by now. There is a lot of psychology in all this. 73, Drew AF2Z On Wed, 21 May 2008 08:10:07 -0400, Ed, WA3WSJ wrote: Hello Drew, AF2Z I plunked down over $1300 for a deposit on my K3, but after waiting five months and then calling Elecraft they told me to wait another three months. That was a total wait of 8-months! At the five-month point I told Elecraft to cancel the order and send my money back. I then went out and bought an Icom 703+ and just love this little radio. It's no K3, but for less than $700 it's worth the money. I still plan to buy a K3, but I WILL NOT WAIT MONTHS to receive it. Elecraft doesn't have their act together concerning the K3. This is from an op who built a K1, K2 and a KX1. I'm VERY disappointed in Elecraft selling the K3 before they were geared up for production. When Elecraft has a K3 ON-THE-SHELF I might buy one. 72, Ed, WA3WSJ ** ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Honchos!!!
On Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:31 -0700, Jim/nn6ee wrote: Look! This is Ham-Radio and it's all about instant gratification and you should know that as a Yeah, that's right... most of us took a crash course in CW, learning it overnight. Then worked all band DXCC the next day. And we expect the solar flux to be at 300 in another week here or so. So where's our K3's? We didn't become ham radio operators becuase we like to wait around for stuff. No sir. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 BETA FIRMWARE RELEASE -- MCU rev 1.94
When tuning by ear using a wide bandwidth filter, I have found that it is easier if you go from the low tone side to high instead of high to low. I think the higher octave(s) can sometimes confuse you when you go from high to low. Yes, it is pretty easy to get within 10 or 20 hz by ear. For most any CW work I also would think you'd be ok if you could only manage to get within 100 hz. I bet lots of people could be able to do it with some practice. Still, the auto-spot is a neat feature and i'm looking forward to trying it on the K3. I'm looking forward to trying anything on the K3... 73, Drew AF2Z On Wed, 14 May 2008 04:47:30 -0700 (PDT), Brian/K3KO wrote: Guys, There is another way to solve the CW spot problem. It's called get on the air and work CW. You will quickly develop the skill of zero beating by ear. You will find that most CW ops don't use any zero beating gizmo. Much faster and easier to do it by ear. Another thing. Narrow filter passbands help. If you're trying to zero beat a CW signal with a 2.8KHz filter, it can be an exercise in futiltiy. And if a human can't do it, don't expect some computerized gizmo to do it well either. Practically speaking, if you've dialed in a 200- 400Hz CW bandwidth and you peak the signal in the passband, your going to be at most 100Hz off. That is really plenty good enough for most situations. How accurate can zero beating by ear be? The data points I have are from RTTY. My display indicator reads out deviation from zero in 5 Hz increments.I can usually get within 10-20 Hz by ear! I'm going to assume the CW accuracy is similar. 73 de Brian/K3KO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Firmware Fatigue - was K2 v K3
Something I don't get... if flashing a new firmware version is so easy why wouldn't someone want to try the latest version, knowing they can go back to the old one if it doens't work out? I would think it would be fun. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 08 May 2008 08:37:15 -0700, Dave W7AQK wrote: As for myself, I have been sort of dragging my feet on some of the software upgrades. I'm still using 1.75, which generally works pretty well. I'm letting everyone else shake things out first. I know I'll be upgrading soon enough. I'm anxious to see things work better, but I'm not losing any sleep over it. I have been assured that the things I've noticed as being less than satisfactory will be dealt with. I have no reason to doubt that, so I'm content to give them time to do it. And although it has been said before, I'll repeat it--there isn't any other radio I know of where the users are communicating so openly with the designers to obtain desired changes. Maybe there will come a day when I feel some disappointment with the K3, but I'm sure nowhere close to that point currently. I could probably be critical of Elecraft about several things, but being responsive to their customers sure isn't one of them. Dave W7AQK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band switch
I originally suggested the [VFO dial + HOLD COARSE] combination to do the 1 MHz stepping because I thought it might be easy to do with just one hand. Not having a K3 in front of me yet, I don't know if that is so. Anyhow, in general I prefer knob turning to button pushing, given a choice (analog vs digital, so to speak...) Ok, what success do you expect in hitting 10.101... Say you're on 6.035: You hold COARSE while turning the VFO; the display changes to 7.035, then 8.035, then 9.035, then 10.035 (about half a turn in all, at the 5 MHZ/turn rate); you then let up on the COARSE button and tune the VFO normally to 10.101 where, having entered the 30m band limits, your settings for this band are restored. The Band+ and Band- are fine for ham band switching. But for general coverage navigation a real band switch, as above, would be preferable. Now, you have complained about having to button-push through every intermediate band to get to a desired ham band. Could this be alleviated somewhat using the VFO knob as a ham band only switch? Say, by holding the FINE button you could step through the ham bands using the VFO knob, perhaps more conveniently than PUSH PUSH PUSH..., In other words, map the ham bands to VFO knob rotation while the FINE button is being held. Anyhow, these are just suggestions, not necessarily feature requests. My only request is to get my K3 (few more weeks!) 73, Drew AF2Z On Wed, 07 May 2008 21:01:15 +, Brian/K3KO wrote: Augie, And what success do you expect in hitting 10.101 or 18.068? Unfortunately the ham bands don't all start with .000 lower limits. What is really needed is one button press to get to the band you want. Two to six button presses alone or in combo with knob twisting simply isn't acceptable. Standing on your head while twisting a knob behind one's back isn't either. 73 de Brian/K3KO Augie Hansen wrote: ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band switch
On Wed, 07 May 2008 10:51:42 -0400, Don W3FPR wrote: Ron, A stack can only be loaded/unloaded from one end (usually referred to as the top) and one must sequentially remove entries until the one wanted is present. The K3 regular band switch is more akin to a stack, but not quite since it wraps around and one can move in either direction. I miss FORTH [sigh]... But back to radios... I wonder if it would be useful to implement a Very-Coarse tuning rate, say 5 MHz per full turn of the VFO knob. That would be your band switch. With such a rate you could quickly get to any band, ham or SWL or whatever. However, if you should select a ham band with this coarse tune VFO, it would automatically recall your previous settings for that band (same as the Band buttons work) It could be accessed by holding Coarse while turning the VFO knob. Perhaps this could be managed with one hand? [OK, I don't have a K3 and haven't read much of the manual, so probably shouldn't be making comments at all. The above is just a suggestion. If it isn't a useful one just ignore it; I'm not really looking for any feedback on it.] 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band switch
On Wed, 07 May 2008 12:49:16 -0700, Bob N6WG wrote: I would suggest a 1 MHz step, along the lines used in the old Collins 51J series of receivers. They tuned 1 MHz segments, so had to step up to the next 1 MHz segment. A 1 MHz step would touch every hamband directly, while 5 MHz would miss all of them. 73, Bob N6WG No, I meant a tuning rate of 5 MHz per full turn of the VFO knob... but it WOULD increment the frequency readout in 1 MHz steps, as you suggest. 5 MHz per one full turn would, for instance, let you go from 7.0xx MHz to 15.1xx MHz in about one and a half turns of the VFO knob, acting more like a band switch than a VFO. Perhaps 10 MHz per turn would be even better. The current Coarse Tune rate (1 or 2 MHz?) is not coarse enough to act as a band switch. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Rush To Install Firmware
On Tue, 06 May 2008 11:51:16 -0700 (PDT), Bob K9PAG wrote: So my suggestion is to look, listen, wait, and then carefully make a decision of when to upgrade to new firmware. Bob K9PAG The more people ingnore this suggestion, the better it works for those that don't. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Shipping status?
On Fri, 02 May 2008 20:36:16 -0700 (PDT), you wrote: Thus far I have not seen any K3 kits ordered from December - what is the latest - Ordered mine mid January - I would love to have it for Field day! 73 and Thanks, Bill N4ZI Munford, TN Heh, heh getting a little itchy? Me too. I ordered at the end of Dec. Anyway, here is the only December order I've seen reported here. It was posted on May 1st: Ordered Dec 3, 07. Received note from Katie 4/30/08 Ron N4XD 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 kit builders start your nuts ...
A blob of Coax Seal at the end of a shaft (dowel, screwdriver, pen casing, etc.) will also do the job. 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 02 May 2008 23:26:58 -0700 (PDT), Frank - W6NEK wrote: It's called a Menda 35120 Nut Starter and is available from HMC Electronics for $1.80 Here is a link: http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/2240-0021/ Fits nut sizes #2 thru #6. I still have two Heathkit nut starters from 40 years ago and they still work FB! Wouldn't be without one. 73, Frank - W6NEK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Concern
On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:02:23 -0700 (PDT), Brian/K3KO wrote: Anybody else concerned about all the requests being made to add things? I personally don't want a box with 99 million menu choices or requires 99 button presses to get to more universally needed radio settings. I am fine with having a lot of features on the K3 even though I won't be using most of them. I'll learn how to get to the ones I do want and just ignore the rest. I realize the UI might not be perfect but I can say that about any of a dozen different software applications which I use regularly; can't really expect the K3 firmware and UI to suit me perfectly if there aren't even any software applications which do. My PC is a minefield of customizations which I've accumulated over the years and still not totally happy with. I have sets of keyboard macros, specific to different software application, to make them work the way I think they should, and to tie different applications together... I wonder if at some point, if the K3 UI should indeed become too cluttered, it might be desireable to have several different firmware models to choose from: perhaps one catering to SSBers; another for CW; one for general use, another for contesting, etc... Hah, i guess that's not something you want to hear if you are looking for less choice, is it. But hey, we are hams and are supposed to be perpetually tinkering around with this stuff, right? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] display off ?
On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:09:09 -0500, ken [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If there is a menu item to turn off the display, how will one then use the display to turn the menu item back on? ___ Have it come back on the next time the unit is powered up? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Desired AM mode improvements
I for one am looking forward to AM synch on the K3. (or will be, once I've gotten my K3...). As strange as it might sound, I wouldn't have ordered one if not for general coverage receive capability, so this feature is pretty important to me. That and CW are my prime focus. I don't have a problem with waiting while the more popular features are developed. But the K3 is a software defined radio, with the promise that it WILL do nearly everything; or at least everything a Drake can do. Anyhow, I just wanted to add my vote for synchronous AM detection and wider b/w. Also, independent sideband selection would be nice as well.Thanks. 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:57:34 -0700 (PDT), you wrote: Ken, I'm going to say what a lot of people are thinking but to polite to express. I like your suggestion. After all the prime focus of the K3 design is amateur band, CW,SSB, and digital modes. Having high performance for these modes is its selling point. Asking it to do everything on all frequencies detracts from efforts to optimize its primary functions. In almost 50 years, I've heard maybe 1 amateur FM station operating. Yeah, there may be a few more but it hardly constitutes a majority mode. Are there really so many ham AM ops? Sure people are free to buy anything they want. Their choice. However, what they do buy may not be optimum for their needs. I think Elecraft is doing an amazing job at meeting the needs of their owners. However, even they have limits. 73 de Brian/K3KO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WAS K3/10 For Sale or Trade; NOW rev BUTTON
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:49:15 -0400, Ed K1EP wrote: At 3/16/2008 03:05 PM, Bill NY9H wrote: During Clipperton Ducie I found myself, ( AS DID SEVERAL OTHERS :( ) out of band calling after I managed to hit the UN-split button missing the REV button. I don't need any help looking stupid. Using the single rcvr SUB button as REV makes great sense to me. I found that somehow the split function got turned off (by some software combination or band switching combination) and I was called UP several times. I found the SPLIT SAVE function, which greatly helped me out there. Maybe it would be useful to be able to transmit-lock one of the VFO's; i.e., temporarilly disable it from transmitting altogether. Another idea: provide an audible enunciator whenever A/B is pressed. For example: a single beep for A and a double beep for B (or alternatively, a high tone beep for A and a low tone for B). This tone enunciator would tell you instantly which vfo you have selected and would quickly become ingrained in your operating habits. (Better yet:: di-dah for A and dah-di-di-dit for B would be way cool! Perhaps there are other rig functions that could benefit from Morse code enunciators?) As for Split, I wouldn't mind having a periodic audio warning to remind me that it is on; perhaps some low-profile chime every x-seconds with user-selectable volume, tone and beep rate. (But then again, I am a cw op so not worried about it getting out over the mic...) Okay, so I like audible enunciators. No need for jokes about 'roger beep'... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WAS K3/10 For Sale or Trade; NOW rev BUTTON
On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:05:59 -0400, I wrote: Okay, so I like audible enunciators. No need for jokes about 'roger beep'... Uh, I mean annunciator not enunciator, if that makes a little more sense... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Phone Jack
On Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:41:57 -0700 (PDT), Jim, K4ZMV wrote: My K2's phone jack has failed for the third time. I've ordered two new jacks, but I am thinking about wiring the internal speaker always on and muting it at the external speaker jack. I'm a little concerned about just opening the internal speaker line without a load for the audio amp. I could just insert a 15 ohm 2 watt resister as the load. Any observations on that approach. Thanks. Jim, K4ZMV When I replaced my headphone jack I took the opportunity to wire in a speaker/headphone switch to the back panel. I leave the headphones plugged in most all of the time now and just use the switch to select between headphones and speaker. That means a lot less wear on the jack. It is a lot more convenient than plugging and unplugging the headphones all the time anyway. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 VFO slave mode suggestion
Sorry if I missed this in the K3 manual I have sometimes thought it would be useful to slave the B VFO to the A VFO. For example, changing VFO A would also change B an equal amount; but changing B would have no effect on A. I think it would be handy to operate split this way on the K3, with its two VFO knobs, during contests and such. I guess that is what RIT and XIT are for but they have always seemed a bit clumsy to me on the K2 (don't have a K3 yet). Anyhow, if this doesn't exist on the K3 I'd like to suggest it. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [SPAM] RE: [Elecraft] K3: secret hardware changes?
On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:59:35 + (GMT), Stewart G3RXQ wrote: A bug is just an undocumented feature :-) 73 Stewart G3RXQ Speaking of secret hardware, how about secret firmware... there must be an easter egg somewhere in all that K3 code, right? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ETA of K3
On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:27:02 -0600, Jim K4JAF wrote: Latest estimate on the Elecraft website is June, but I wouldnt hold my breath on that... In Dec. the ETA for new orders was April, so looks like it is still holding at four months. But no, i wouldn't schedule my summer around it. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Filter question
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:18:45 -0800 (PST), you wrote: Ultimately, the 15 khz FM filter would be the best choice for roofing AM and FM (on receive). I have ordered the FM filter for use in AM BC reception. But now I am reconsidering since someone has said that AM BC sounds so good with one sideband through the 6 khz filter. I wonder if the performance benefits of the narrower filter will outweigh the better fidelity of the wide filter. Oh, well, still have a couple of months to decide... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best way to secure RF ground from 2nd floor?
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:44:55 -0800, Ron AC7AC wrote: Another approach for an RF ground is to use your connection to the ground rod, but tune out the reactance. MFJ made a small tuner for just that purpose: a coil and capacitor in series that one adjusted as needed to produce maximum ground current at the rig. That can be very effective, but it is frequency-sensitive: it requires readjustment for every band. And, because the circuit involves a capacitor in series with the coil, it is not a d-c ground if that's what you are looking for. But it can produce a good RF ground. Ron AC7AC An automatic ground tuner might be nice-- a GTU, i guess you would call it. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Wrong Filter Question - 8 pole vs. 5 Pole Filters
I'm guessing that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference, like monster cable for the stereo. Will there ever be an instance when I will say, Boy, if only i had an 8 pole filter; I might have snagged that rare DX station! I doubt it. Actually, if it had been a choice between 8 and 5 in a 500 Hz filter, I might have chosen the 8. But I don't want a 400 Hz filter however many poles it has; I want 500 Hz. This has to do with the fact that in a hypershphere of very high dimensionality nearly all of the volume lies very close to the surface. Just kidding. The filter graphs mean next to nothing to me. I guess when it comes time to sell the rig the 8-pole guys will have an advantage over us filter ignoramuses and cheapskates. Anyhow, the price difference between the is now $40 for me according to the order summary. 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:29:25 -0800 (PST), you wrote: I asked the wrong filter question...or...what was on my mind and how it came out my fingers did not jive. Which is better a 5 pole filter or an 8 pole filter. Supposedly the 8 pole would have sharper skirtsand for only 20 more bucks...wellI would like to know the difference between the two filters. Is it worth the 20 bucks? I am sure it is, but as you all know there is some economic rumbling and need to watch the pennies. This is not about costit is about what is the difference between the two types of filters. Lee - k0WA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Receive antennas
I'm a bit confused about using a receive-only antenna. Comments suggest that they could be destructive. Is it safe to use one on the K2 (the k160rx module) and/or k3? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 for non-contesters?
Steve, I will be using the K3 for pretty much only CW and SWL. Perhaps a little PSK. I like some small CW contests, but am not a contester by any means. I'll be sticking with the 10 watt version; my K2 has shown that that is sufficient power for me. Will also only have a very basic filter set. I did order the ATU; the K2 spoiled me with that. My antennas are endfed wire and attic dipoles. Too much rig for my limited needs? Maybe, but I'm pretty sure I'll get my money's worth in enjoyment. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:59:00 -0700, you wrote: Hi Everyone, With a K3 in my future (I ordered a loaded one about a month ago), are there are any non-contesters like me out there who are K3 owners, or prospective owners, who just like hamming in general and have no special need for the K3's contesting prowess? (Contesting seems to be a popular topic amongst K3 owners on the reflector.) The rig's extensive menus, its Cadillac-like fit and finish, and firmware updating capabilities are certainly appealing to me as are many of its other capabilities. But I'll also confess that Elecraft's legendary customer service and its reputation for excellence are also big selling points for me. (Maybe I've answered my own question!) I operate lots of CW with a small fleet of two K2s and a KX1 that are all excellent performers. Occasional SSB and PSK QSOs are also very enjoyable. I'm just curious about whether the K3's capabilities and performance are as appealing to others like me (non-contesters) as they obviously are to contesters. I'm a great fan of CW and have been trying hard to get my code speed up to a consistent 20-25wpm for a long time. I realize that my question emerges from the slippery realm of personal preference, but I'd enjoy your comments. Thanks and 73 to all... Steve Banks K0PQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ESD Mats
On Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:32:37 -0700, DW Holtman wrote: Hello, One source of ESD stations is Radio Shack. The RS Part number is, 276-2370. It is a complete kit, priced at $24.99 That's about right. Probably a good 25 cents worth of material there... 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 prices: still too good to be true
Keith, ... and I held off on ordering the FM filter which is b/o'd. I'm sticking with the K3/10 though. The price increases are no surprise. Might have expected a order now before price increase notice. But I would be very surprised if they increased our prices from what was invoiced, deposit or no. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:12:38 -0700, you wrote: *sign*, I missed the boat again, so to speak. I ordered just the K3/10 as a way of reserving my place in line. I figured I'd add the 100 watt PA later. Well, guess which part just went up in price! Of course, I'm making an assumption that the price at the time of my order is the price that I'll pay when it is delivered but since I put $0 down, that may be a bad assumption. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 wave 3 - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Encoder felt washer
On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:58:03 -0500 (EST), k4ia wrote: Thanks for the tip. I personally am not a fan of the felt washer solution in either the K2 or the K3. Not only for the reason you state, but it also seems like it must wear out eventually or get rubbed down smooth so it doesn't provide friction. It just seems Mickey Mouse as we used to say. Leather might be a longer lasting answer but I have got to wonder if there isn't a higher tech way of doing this? How is it done in other rigs that have adjustable drag? k4ia Craig Buck Fredericksburg, Virginia K3 #101 I've been surprised that after all the dial spinning my rig has endured there has been no noticeable change in the drag. I thought it would have required re-adjustment by now. Felt (wool) is good stuff! I think it would be good to have felt washers under the other knobs on the K2. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] k2 earphone jack
On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:01:20 -0500 (EST), AI4TO wrote: Comrades, The speaker switch in the earphone jack on my k2 has quit. Has anyone found a stouter replacement for J2? 73 AI4TO John Ferguson M/V Arcadian One solution is to wire in a speaker/headphone toggle switch when you replace the jack; then leave the headphones plugged in all the time. That will eliminate wear on the jack. (It's also lot more convenient if you do a lot of plugging and unplugging of the headphones.) I mounted the switch on the rear panel, below the speaker jack. I posted a detailed article about this some months ago. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] k2 earphone jack
On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:08:26 -0500, Don W3FPR wrote: If you are going to add the toggle switch, there is no need to replace the jack. The toggle switch replaces the contacts that no longer work. 73, Don W3FPR The defective contact lies at the rear pins of the jack, which you can easily parallel with one pole of the switch. But you will also want to switch the ground (i.e., sleeve) terminal of the jack with the other pole, opposite throw (a DPDT switch). If you don't switch the ground/sleeve line the headphones will end up being in parallel with the speaker when it is selected. The ground/sleeve terminal lies on the board side of the jack so you will have to remove the jack to get to it; might as well replace it with a good jack. Of course, you could leave the defective jack in place, cut the ground circuit trace and solder tack the switch across it. But that's no easier than just replacing the jack with a good one, and no messing with the traces. Referring to my notes, the switch I used was p/n: 8011 from Web-tronics. It is a DPDT (on-x-on) miniature size. Fits neatly in the transverter hole beneath the speaker jack. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Broadcast Band
On Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:06:39 -0800, Ron AC7AC wrote: You won't often need the full 6 KHz bandwidth to listen to AM sigs in SSB mode unless you have a very critical 'ear'. Most conventional AM radios today, especially car radios, roll off the audio bandpass at about 3 kHz, just like the K3 using the 6 kHz roofing filter in AM mode. They do that to reduce noise on marginal signals. Consumers have expressed a strong preference for a narrower audio bandwidth and less noise on weak signals. Where the 6 KHz filter become critical is if you want to TRANSMIT in AM mode with the K3. Ron AC7AC For AM MW/SW BC reception only, is there any reason to choose a 6 kHz filter over the 12(?) kHz FM filter (available in Feb)? 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: CW decoder
I think Farnsworth spacing control for the keyer memories is a great idea. I have a related suggestion which maybe isn't so great, but here it is anyway: How about a keyer memory which would work with a straight key. It would faithfully record straight key CW, preserving the non-machinelike timing spacing, and of course be able to key the transmitter with this recorded fist. Is this something that would be software definable on the K3? The advantage is that straight key bug operators could program CQ messages which would be characteristic of their true sending styles (for better or worse). 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 04:16:38 -0800, you wrote: Now for the request. Its something that I really wish I had on my K1. I know a lot of you guys are pros at CW and crank that thing to the hilt and let er rip but I'm just getting into the stuff. I find that I like to set the keyer speed at about 13 or so and send at farnsworth 5WPM spacing (or so). The problem is when calling CQ and having the keyer play your CQ for you you can't leave it set at 13 or the guy responding to you will be going way too fast. So then I end up setting it down to 8 or 9 WPM. The problem then is (most) people don't want to slow down to there and secondly even to me the characters just sound plain WRONG to me when sent that slow. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] front phones socket duability
On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:48:47 +, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: I find I'm plugging the phones line on my Proset, in and out of the front phones socket quite a lot ( 20 times a day perhaps) Anyone any idea of the durability the socket? That is also how I use the headphones: constantly jumping between them and speaker. When I replaced the jack on my K2 I decided to add a headphone/speaker switch on the rear panel. I can switch back and forth between headphones and speaker with no worry about wearing out the jack. But apart from the durability issue, the headphone/speaker switch is amazingly more convenient. Some commercial grade receivers have this feature; not sure if there is any ham gear which has it. Doesn't the K3 have a 1/4 jack (vs 1/8)? That alone will make it a lot more durable. Still, sure would like to have a headphone/speaker switch. I guess my question would be: how strong is the insertion force on the jack? If it's more than about 4 or 5 pounds you will have to hold the radio down to plug and unplug it; IOW, a two-handed operation. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] As good as it gets...for now?
Rod, You have pretty much eliminated any physical remedies, so how about an operational solution: The SKCC 2nd Anniversary Special Event takes place the entire month of January. Last year we made some 5,000 QSOs, i believe. Plus there is an online event calendar and also a live scheduling page available to help you find stations. More info here: http://skccgroup.com Condx do seem worse than last year at this time, however I'll be using my low power K2 and 100' wire throughout. Also, don't forget about SKN-- tonight and tomorrow. Should be some band activity then! 73, Drew AF2Z On Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:48:33 -0800, Rod, Ai7NN wrote: Folks, After a 2+ year hiatus from RadioActivity, I finished up a K2 build, and tried getting on the air a bit--UGH dismal results! During the recent ARCI Homebrew Sprint I made 3 contacts, 1 in WA and 2 in ID, I'm in OR. Me and a friend back in CO have tried two or three times ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Filter advice...
Thanks to everyone for their comments on filters for a CW+AM K3. They are very helpful. I was aware of the distinction between roofing filter and DSP filtering but didn't know (or forgot) about the 2.7 kHz standard filter. As for the hoped for multi-bandwidth filter, I guess it is probably too soon to talk about. My first questions would be how wide it would go and how much it would cost. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Filter advice...
I'm wondering what minimum complement of filters would work for me in a K3. I am only interested in general coverage reception of SWBC stations, plus operating CW. I am a little unlclear about what filter would be required for AM (reception only), with the KBPF3 option. For CW I generally prefer a wide filter (my K2 is set at 2.0 kHz most of the time). I suppose I would want a narrower filter as well but can't decide whether 500/400 or 250/200. Does a 2.1 kHz + 200 Hz filter pair seem like a useful combo for CW? Finally, I don't have a clue what noticeable difference there would be between a 200/5-pole and a 250/8-pole. If the difference is really subtle or limited to very occasional use I suppose I'd go for the cheaper one. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] mic plug for K2
Does anyone know where I can get a 8-pin mic plug for the K2? Radio Shack lists it but doesn't seem to have any. Can't find it at Mouser. Thanks. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best CW Pitch???
Ok, I've recorded several sets of filter settings for different sidetone/offsets, so now I can change them in about a minute. Doing this shouldn't be a problem for the rig, right? If you wanted to you could put one set of filters in the CW Normal slots and another set in the CW Rev slots. I suppose for the CW Rev filters you could put the BFO on the 'wrong' side of center and you would then have two sets of filters, two different sidetone/offsets, both CW Norm, right? Not sure I'd really want to do that; just wondering. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:33:53 -0400, Don W3FPR wrote: Drew, Like other things in life, one often must make compromises. That compromise would ideally be made based on your preferences and with knowledge of what is best for certain conditions. We know that low pitches are better for the brain to separate two different pitches (a signal in QRM), and we also know that very high speed CW operators like a higher pitch because it is easier to discern the code elements. If you belong to either group, your choice is obvious, but I believe for most, the compromise using the Elecraft default of 600 Hz makes sense - but you can change it for any reason if you have a desire to do that. I have heard that weak signal operators (i.e. EME) like to use a wide bandwidth, but I have not heard about a preferred pitch. 73, Don W3FPR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Best Practices - Optimization
I'd like to know of a good procedure for the IF Alignment (L34). I tried it with Spectrogram but I really don't see any definite best alignment point; same for doing it by ear. As for the AGC Threshold adjustment... I read somewhere (sorry, i forget who) that you should adjust it just to the point where turning on the AGC does not result in a reduction of low-level rcvr noise (no antenna). I tried this and it makes for a really hot receiver. 73, Drew AF2Z On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:30:40 -0400, David Wilburn wrote: I have been using my K2 for a bit now. I have done a couple of alignments on it, as I learned lessons what I did not get quite right previously. I listen quite a bit more than I transmit. I do ok around 15wpm, but I'm not quite happy with where I am, so I listen and work on improving my copy. I have followed Tom and Don's alignments with Spectrogram, as I do not have much in the way of test equipment. I am at the point where I would like to go back through and try it again, and play with the settings a bit more, to get them to fit what I like, where I stayed near the defaults previously. I do have the XG2, the wide band noise generator. Additionally, I have played with the K2 quite a bit to understand how to best use it to pull in marginal signals. This is where best practices would come in handy. How do the folks that are more experienced, pull them in? Has anyone done any write ups on optimizing the K2? Anything on settings for best pulling in the signals? Elecraft, thanks for the radio and the great forum. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best CW Pitch???
I had been using 650 Hz for awhile but decided to go to 800 Hz for some reason. It just sounds better to me now. Maybe becuase I got used to it while using my code practice program; higher pitch seems to sound better for QRQ. I was thinking of doing a bunch of filter alignments at sidetone pitches 50 Hz apart, just to tabulate the filter settings. If you recorded them all it wouldn't take very long to reprogram them when you want to change sidetone pitch. It's only 4 three-digit DAC numbers to dial in (or 8 if you want CW Rev). You could probably change filters in a minute or so. I was wondering, is there an electically optimal sidetone pitch which the K2 prefers? 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:34:52 -0700, Steve N6VL wrote: OK, I know this is personal preference thing. But with the K2, it isn't easy to change CW pitch on the fly. While the sidetone frequency can be easily changed, CAL FIL needs to be redone. Many other rigs will allow you to select the CW pitch or offset on the fly. I chose 400 Hz for my pitch. Sometimes I wonder if the best pitch varies between rigs. I know it varies between bands. I can play with the K2 RIT value and get at least +/- 50 Hz or more of variation from my 400 Hz preference. Last night I readjusted the KAF2 pots and got the response more centered around 400 Hz. It had been centered a little lower. Last night I was working a CW station on 30 meters just in my noise level. Usually I have to listen a little lower in pitch, but this time it helped to listen a little higher. The band conditions seem to dictate the best pitch. That said, I wonder how to best choose a pitch. I've thought of increasing the pitch up to 420 or even 450 Hz. But I won't be able to return to 400 Hz without running CAL FIL again, not a fast process. I definitely don't want to go above 500 Hz. The 600 Hz default is very fatiguing to me and actually piercing. Again I know this is a personal thing. It really would be neat if the K2 firmware could be modified to accommodate several banks of filter settings for different needs, such as CW pitches. 73, Steve N6VL K2 #2289 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best CW Pitch???
On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:42:05 -0400, Bill W4ZV wrote: I like very low pitch (240-270 Hz) for extremely weak signals in white noise. I like 300 Hz for normal operating but go to 400-450 Hz in contests with a reasonably wide bandwidth (6-700 Hz) to catch off-frequency callers. On a wide quiet band, I will even go to 500 Hz pitch with a very wide bandwidth to catch callers up to 500 Hz off-frequency (BTW Japanese stations are much worse than EU for calling off-frequency). Wow! I find this amazing. I have just never used a pitch that low. I will have to try it I guess. Seems like I am way higher than normal at 800 Hz. I like a wide filter most of the time also: 2 KHz 1 KHz most of the time, seldom dropping to 0.5 or 0.2. Is a low pitch better for weak signals? I guess I never knew that. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best CW Pitch???
On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:20:21 -0700, Jim Brown K9YC wrote: On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:56:26 -, Roelof Bakker wrote: Two signals 40 Hz apart are much easier seperated at a pitch of 400 Hz than at a pitch of 800 Hz. At 800 Hz the difference is 5%. At 400Hz it is 10 %. This is the way our BSP (biological signal processor) handles it. Yes, this is very good advice. Jim Brown K9YC Ok, that makes sense. Now what about weak signals in noise (no QRM): any idea which pitch is better there? And I wonder about keying speed (element length): a shorter element must carry better at a higher pitch I would think. Of course, it doesn't matter much if your own ears have a problem with the theoretical best pitch, i suppose. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 headphone jack
On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:05:29 -0700, Leigh/WA5ZNU wrote: While some say the jack fails due to downward pressure and others say it fails due to repetitn, lately some think that the switch in the jack is damaged by excessive heat during soldering, so I tried to solder it as quickly as I could this last time, and also I installed a fixed-level audio out board for digital modes, so that I wasn't tempted to plug in the headphone jack when I didn't really need to. There is a contact that slides across the three rear pins of the jack. If soldering is the problem, it is those three pins to watch out for. This contact is definitely the weak point of the switch. See my earlier post to this forum (Lost speaker audio in K2) regarding installation of a headphone/speaker switch; then you can leave the headphones plugged in all the time and just use the switch. In any case, the switch is a lot more convenient. (Seems like I was forever hitting the NB button when trying to get the plug out...) If you want to add a switch the time to do it is while replacing the jack becuase you have to bend one of the jack pins out of the way before installing it. Here are comments I sent to someone who asked me about it: The switch I used was p/n: 8011 from Web-tronics. It is a DPDT (on-x-on) miniature size. I bought it along with their budget soldering station-- a nice unit. http://www.web-tronics.com/index.html I'm sure you can find similiar switches at Mouser: The mini-size switch mounts securely with the supplied hardware in the rig's Transverter hole, below the speaker jack. I figured that if I ever get a transverter I'll worry about moving it then. If you're going to drill your own hole for the switch you might consider getting a sub-mini switch. As it is, mine doesn't interfere with my K2 options (antenna tuner noise blanker). One pole of the switch is wired to the ground pin (center, forward) of the jack (bent flat, as mentioned), and to its mating pad on the circuit trace. The other pole (and opposite throw) is wired across two of the three rear pins on the jack body-- I can't remember which two at the moment. Actually, it is not wired directly to the pins but tack soldered to their circuit pads. I used a round 4-cond cable, routed as mentioned. But you might want to try flat ribbon cable instead. Maybe that will be able to sqeeze past the board to the rear compartment; you better check first to make sure there is enough clearance. Now, I think all of that is correct, but If any questions, please ask. As for which of the three rear jack pins are wired to one of the switch poles (mentioned above): With the jack flat on the table, hole facing you, pins pointing up, it's the rear-right pair of pins. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Lost speaker audio in K2
My headphone jack failed in short order. I am constantly jumping back and forth between headphones speaker, so the mini-jacks don't stand a chance with me for very long. When I got a new jack from Elecraft I decided to add a headphone/speaker switch to the back panel; now I leave the headphones plugged in all the time and use the switch to go back and forth. This is a wonderful mod. It fixed the one truly annoying feature of the K2 (to me, at least). When I replaced the jack I bent the center front (ground) conductor flat; one pair of switch contacts are soldered to this contact and the now vacant PCB trace beneath it (with a sliver of fishpaper between switch and board for insulation); the other pair to the back contacts of the jack... well, you can figure it out from the circuit. I routed the 4-conductor cable along the front of the control board, toward the on/off switch; there is a space there where the round cable can get past the board. Anyhow, it is so conveniet to be able to switch the audio from headphone to speaker as often as I want, without having to fiddle with the tiny ill-fitting plug, and always wondering when the jack is going to die again. Next project: fixed level audio output for recording my QSOs. 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:57:24 -0700, you wrote: I just lost the speaker audio in my K2/100, but still have audio through the headphone jack. Switching to the regular cover and speaker doesn't help. Looking at the schematics, it looks like the headphone jack could be faulty. The speaker audio runs through the headphone jack and bypasses the speaker when a headphone is plugged in. It looks like the headphone isn't returning the audio back to the speaker line when the headphone plug is removed. Has anyone else encountered this problem? 73, Steve N6VL ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] SOC Marathon Sprint
On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 09:55:47 -0700, Tree N6TR wrote: Those of you working N6TR on 20 or 80 meters will be QSOing with K3 SN #13. 40 meters will be my trusty Drake line since I don't have a second K3 yet. http://www.kkn.net/~tree/misc_pictures/SeptCWSprint2007.jpg Now that is an odd pair!! 73 Tree N6TR ___ I sure do like the look of those Drakes. When I was a kid I wanted one in the worst way; never managed to get one. I just noticed the grey/black color scheme on the Drakes reminds me of the K2! Very appealing. Is that really an optical connector for the mic on the K3? Heh,heh... looks like photons coming out. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 speaker jack question
I think I'm going to install a speaker/headphone switch on the back panel so I can just leave the headphones plugged in all the time. Then switch headphones speaker as needed. Apart from the mini-plug being relatively fragile, it's also annoying to plug unplug. It doesn't go very easily and I often hit the menu button while trying to work it. I have to say, it's the only really annoying feature I've found on the K2. 73, Drew AF2Z On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:37:02 -0400 (EDT), Al WA6VNN wrote: I just replaced the connector on my K2 #4887 because the internal bypass switch that is supposed to connect the speakers when the headphones are unplugged wasn't making contact. Check continuity across the bypass switch contacts with the power off and the headphones unplugged. If it's not a dead short you may have a damaged jack. Mine worked OK when new but after 2 years of almost constant headphone use the connection just wasn't there. I'll dissect the broken jack someday to see what caused the open. Al WA6VNN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Improvement Ideas
I had been thinking about having a filter parameter memory card, where you could store the bandwidth/bfo figures from a number of different alignments and instantly recall and load them. Say you had five banks, you could have four bandwidths at each of five different sidetone/offsets. But I don't know enough about this to know why even this limited option (let alone continuously tracking filters) wouldn't be practical. 73, Drew AF2Z On Tue, 08 May 2007 22:21:04 +1200, Nigel Beryl [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would like to see the ability to toggle or step through say three side tone settings and have the CW filters automatically track the changes. On a occasions, especially when the filter is set narrow and the signal is weak, the filter ringing and the background noise level can mask a particular sidetone frequency. Being able to change the CW sidetone can again un-mask the signal. 73, Nigel ZL2DF ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Noise Blanker performance
I just installed one in my K2. I tested it by turning on a light dimmer switch on the other side of the house which generates an S5 noise level on 80m. The K2NB totally eliminated it. 73, Drew AF2Z On Thu, 03 May 2007 04:02:42 +, you wrote: I finished K2 #5665 a few weeks ago and have read the discussions about how well the K2NB does or doesn't work. I'm in an RV on a bluff on the Oregon Coast and we've just had a thunder storm (with hail) pass over. The tip of the screwdriver antenna's whip produced a few minutes of strong precipitation static, similar to ignition noise that the noise blanker TOTALLY eleminated. It was a good test for the K2's NB ... for this kind of noise, at least ... and it worked GREAT! 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP K2 #5665 - K3#_ [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
