[Elecraft] K2+Softrock xtal
If you are using a Softrock as a panadapter with your K2 you might be interested in this: The usual Softrock setup used with the K2 is slightly different than the standard Softrock setup because it samples in 3rd harmonic mode because a correct xtal freq is not easily available. This mode is a little less sensitive. I found a cheaply available xtal that has a good freq for normal x4 sampling: 19.8 Mhz, giving a Softrock LO of 4950 KHz. It is part 300-8213-1-ND at Digikey. It is a SMD crystal, so you do have to be a little creative in mounting it on the Softrock board. You also need to change some discrete components in the oscillator section beause it is a higher oscillator freq. But it seems to work well. Tor N4OGW ___ 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] KPA-100 oscillation problem: fixed
For those who are interested, here is more info on what I did: see http://home.pacbell.net/johngreb/KI6WX.html I followed the Splitting A K2/100... instructions and added a resistor at the input of the KPA. I used a 300 Ohm 2W resistor leftover from the KPA upgrade kit :) I forgot to mention that I also covered the little slot in the KPA shield near the RF output jack. I used a small piece of sheet brass and soldered it to the two solder lugs that connect the shield to the RF output jack. I am not sure which of these two actually stopped the oscillation. I'm happy now, now I finally have symmetric SO2R on 40m :) Tor N4OGW -- Original message -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] After some more searching through various cures online, I think I have fixed it. I added a 300 ohm 2W resistor to the input, that seemed to stop the problem. Tor N4OGW ___ ___ 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] KPA-100 oscillation problem
the K2 to reset and/or show the hi-swr warning. Twice I have managed to blow the microprocessor in the KIO2 attached to this K2! Meant to say that I have blown the cpu in the KRC2 twice... Tor N4OGW ___ 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] KPA-100 oscillation problem: fixed
After some more searching through various cures online, I think I have fixed it. I added a 300 ohm 2W resistor to the input, that seemed to stop the problem. Tor N4OGW ___ 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] Re: CW Sweepstakes Contest
I will also be on full-time in SS CW, class A (100 W). Like Bob I use two K2/100's SO2R, also using N6TR's software. Antennas are a dipole and 1/4 wave vertical on 80m, dipole + 2 el yagi on 40 at 100', two 4 el yagis on 20m at 100' and 50', two 6 el yagis on 15m at 70'/35', and a 6 el 10m yagi at 65'. 40 and 20 are usually the two best bands here (NE Mississippi). Even if you are weak, try calling cq. If you only operate a few hours, especially on sunday lots of people will want to work you! Tor N4OGW ___ 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: KPLUS (K3) Needed .....
As another contester, I can add the following 1. Better tx alc control. It's adequate for qrp or 100W usage, but too rough if you have a low-drive linear (like with an 8877 tube) 2. TX power should not be zero after a band change (this is a pain for SO2R) 3. separate transmit mute line 4. easier to use dsp: it's basically impossible to adjust during contest conditions. During contests I control the xtal filter selection, AF filter selection, and RX antenna from the keyboard via software. ps: I did the encoder swap to get faster tuning rate. That and a finger dimple helps, but it still could be faster. Tor N4OGW From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2006/09/26 Tue PM 08:12:05 EDT To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] RE: KPLUS (K3) Needed . Heh heh heh...this is why we are still waiting for the next iteration...lack of consensus. I don't see anything different with your wish list compared to the K2 with options other than the bigger mechanics and GC rx (which I don't want). Speaking as a contester (a rare breed among qrpers), my wish list includes: 1. Faster tuning rate without having to resort to 0.1kc steps. A bigger knob would be fine, but not really mandatory if the rate were faster. Yeah, I know about the after market swap. Even my FT817 (with an itsy-bitsy knob) tunes faster and just a smoothly. 2. Completely independant VFO's (ie, all parameters separate, such as my pet peeves, mode and filter selection). PLEASE PLEASE 3. Optocoupled RIT/XIT with clear button. MANDATORY! 4. Freq readout for both VFO's and RIT/XIT offset (three separate displays) GOTTA HAVE IT. 5. A faster/easier way (front panel knob) to adjust the sidetone/cw offset would be nice. This is a fatigue fighting tool. Going via the menu isn't terrible, but not efficient for contesting. Sometimes you just need a change of pace. NICE TO HAVE, but I could live w/o it. Also, since contesters use a computer for keying, swapping this function with the keyer speed would be just FINE with me. I know it's a loser for the portable crowd. Frankly, during contesting, you don't twiddle the controls much. The VFO moves all the times. If you are running, the RIT is always moving' and you may pump in/out to a narrower filter setting (and it would be real nice to SEE that displayed full time also). If you are playing around with PBT or IF shift or DSP or NR, well, you are not winning the contest. As for SSB (which I don't much care for), an external AF to RF to AF clipper would be fine. Internal RF clipping even better. Of course, that would mean purchasing the SSB module. LOL de Doug KR2Q ___ 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] Peculiar problem on 80 M
Fellow Elecrafters: I have a strange problem with my K2/100 on 80 meters. The situation is as follows: I work QRP DX at the low end of 80 M, (say 3508 kHz or thereabouts) with a requested power of 4.5 watts, and get an indicated 5 watts out. I then check into the Pine Tree Net on 3596 kHz and crank up the requested power to 10 watts (this is before the relay clicks; I'm still in QRP mode), and I get about 10 watts out. So far so good, right? Then I go back to 3508 kHz, without resetting the power request level knob, but the rig puts out 5 watts, even though the display acknowledges my ten watt request. If I go back to 3596 the output goes back to 10 watts in agreement with the requested level. I have seen similar power output glitches with my K2/100. See the link below. In one case, I was getting 160W output on 1.8MHz. This is really bad when you are driving an amp! Having the KPA100 doesn't matter though, the same effect occurs in the basic K2. I believe these issues are because the K2's TX agc doesn't have any memory about what drive level is needed on different bands, but always tries to correct in real time. The agc level for a given power output varies quite a bit on different bands. Changing frequencies rapidly appears to confuse the agc in some cases. In my case increasing the resistor in the agc (R98 if I remember) helped. see: http://www.ac6rm.net/mailarchive/html/elecraft-list/2006-07/msg00684.html Tor N4OGW ___ 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: Re: [Elecraft] Peculiar problem on 80 M
This is just due to the bandpass filter rolloff and the way the ALC in the K2 works. If you test the rig in transmit by using the Tune button, the rig will be able to measure and set the RF level better. Some bands have more overall power gain than others. So it is often necessary to transmit for a short time with the Tune and Power knobs to ensure the desired RF output is being produced. I do not understand the last sentence above. Does this imply that the alc works differently when Tune is pressed than when the key is closed? Tor N4OGW ___ 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] Rigblaster Pro RF issue
I am running a RIGblaster Pro with my K2. Under QRP conditions, I have no problems. However, on 40m 80m QRO with an external amp, I am finding that I am getting serious RF getting back into the rigblaster. I have isolated it to the rigblaster's microphone cable that connects the K2 to the rigblaster. I am certain this is the path of the RF because I can replace the rigblaster mic cable with the K2s regular microphone and use its PTT and couple the sound from my headphones into the mic and get transmit without the RF crap on output. My question is this. What is the best way to eliminate the RF on the rigblaster's mic cable? Would several ferrite beads do the job? Anyone else ever have this problem or have suggestions? I had similar very bad problems with RF in the audio of my two K2/100's. They were ok with just a mic on a short cable, but trying to use the soundcard audio during a contest using N1MM software produced terrible results running any more than qrp. And no, I don't have unbalanced antennas, all are dipoles or yagis far from the shack with good baluns and buried feedlines. The interface circuit used isolation transformers and had not given any problems with other radios. Here is what I did: 1) modify the K2 audio input circuit (on SSB module) by adding a RFC and bypass caps. Search the email list for notes on this, I forget exactly who posted it. This helped a LOT. 2) set the K2 mic gain to low (1 setting) and boost external level to compensate. I also had to build a 1-transistor mic preamp (with plenty of RF bypassing) to boost the mic level going into the computer sound card somewhat. (one mic was a Heil HC-4, the other a home-made headset with an elec. mic element). It's now bulletproof at 100W. I haven't tested it with the amp on, but I think it will be ok. It helps a lot to have a second radio to listen to your signal while you are adjusting things. Tor N4OGW ___ 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: RE: [Elecraft] KPA power fluctuations
I still think there are some oddities (firmware bug?) in the K2 ALC algorithm. I still haven't figured out why I sometimes get 170W out on 160m. Torsten N4OGW ___ 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] Lettering EC cases?
What is good way to apply lettering to the EC cases? I need to put labels on a project I just finished. Usually I just resort to the Sharpie, but something neater would be nice! Tor N4OGW ___ 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: Re: [Elecraft] Coax Switch between two rigs
My measurements on ham grade coax switches show 40 dB or less isolation between positions. IN FACT, 60 dB is high even for a commercial grade switch. The simple types from MFJ that are wires to a multiposition wafer switch do not shield quite long wire runs from the adjacent connectors. Those are the long rectangular boxes with UHF jacks all in one row. Really? I don't think switching two radios is as big of a deal as the comments in this thread imply. After all, think of all the 100W transceivers where 100W of RF is switched right next to very sensitive circuits (ie the receiver!). I use two K2/100's and switch them to various antennas using an Array Solutions SixPak switch. That switch has a measured isolation between radio ports of 80 dB: http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/sixpak.htm I would generally trust measurements made by Array Solutions. Many other contesters use this or similar switches. I have no problem listening on another band while transmitting at 1500W on the other radio (unless I am too close to a harmonic). Tor N4OGW/5 ___ 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] dead KRC2
One of my KRC2's lost its mind during the NA Sprint last night (that contest is bad enough for scrambling the mind of operators!). It had been working just fine for a few years. Now when I turn it on, I either get no LED, or a flashing LED. And no band decoding. The K2 it was connected to is working fine (if I swap in my other KRC2, it functions as usual). I tried using the firmware download utility, but couldn't get a response for firmware version, and couldn't update the firmware. I was able to query and update firmware for my other KRC2, so I think I was using the correct procedure. I further checked the 2 xtal oscillators (ok), and board voltages (voltage reg ok). But some voltages on U1 are obviously wrong. Any suggestions? Has anyone had a microcontroller in an Elecraft product that had its code corrupted, or the chip itself fail? Torsten N4OGW ___ 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] Grounding mic connector body on K2 front panel board
The mod is not difficult - remove the front panel and separate the board from the dress panel. Then wrap a bare wire around the threads of the mic connector, twist it tight, and run one end over to the ground loop on the left end of the board - solder the wire to the mic connector body (requires a LOT of heat - dwell with the iron until the connector body itself melts the solder) and solder the other end to the ground loop. Reassemble the front panel - Done. The original write-up by Wayne N6KR should be somewhere in the archives, I believe back in 2000 or 2001. I just did the mod on my K2's in an effort to remove RFI from the audio. It is much easier to just remove the left side panel. That gets you enough access to the mic connector and the ground loop without the trouble of pulling the whole front panel apart. I did not wrap the wire all the way around the connector, just soldering it seemed secure enough. Torsten N4OGW ___ 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
