Re: [Elecraft] OT: QRP watering holes?
Try these, Dave: http://www.qrparci.org/content/view/4304/128/ With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "David F. Reed" To: "elecraft Reflector" Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 11:03:20 AM Subject: [Elecraft] OT: QRP watering holes? Greetings all; I have been having a lot of fun with the KX3, but thought I would try the challenge of QRP to QRP contacts. Currently they occur randomly; are there QRP "watering holes" (Frequency ranges that QRPers congregate around) that I might improve the odds? I ask this both for CW and SSB... Thanks & 73 de Dave, W5SV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX1 with 3080 -- first build
Hi Paul, I came to my KX1 after having successfully built several Heathkits back in the day, but nothing in the intervening 25 years. So I counted myself as starting over with the KX1 as my first build. I found it helpful to build the basic radio first, use it for a bit to get the hang of it, then move back to the mod. Yes, you have to unbutton the case again and remove some parts, add some others, and scratch a gap in a circuit board. I wasn't sure I wanted to do that either. But on reflection I found it easier to follow one set of instructions at a time, rather than try to splice one set into another. For me, it kept things clear and direct. I realize your mileage may vary... With best regards, Pete W1PNS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Small HF amp suggestions
I'd put another vote in for the HL-45B from Tokyo Hy-Power . It will give you the full 160-6m. With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: va3...@gmail.com To: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net Cc: "Elecraft list" Sent: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 9:17:57 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Small HF amp suggestions Does anyone else have any experience with this amp? a 'kosher ham' Robert -Original Message- From: Keith Heimbold Sender: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2012 19:17:02 To: Jack Berry Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Small HF amp suggestions I would be careful with the RM Italy amps. I have not been able to get mine to operate properly with the KX3 in my mobile. Lots of spurious RF issues and we are super well grounded with ferrites/torroids everywhere. For now I am putting in an older Icom mobile until the 100W amp from elecraft comes out. It is a bummer but mega mobile is a little challenged at the moment. I may end up using the KX3 on 6m with the mirage amp so two rigs in the truck. Not optimal but I cannot let my KX3 hang on the shelf. Keith AK6ZZ Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos On Nov 6, 2012, at 7:02 PM, "Jack Berry" wrote: > Thanks for the responses. > Looks like RM Italy is an option for mobiling with the KX3 and a mid range > power boost. All others seem to weigh in too heavily in power and cost. > Unless a KPA100 is available sooner than expected, will either delay the KX3 > or pick up the RM Italy. > > On Nov 6, 2012, at 11:38 AM, "Randy" wrote: > >> Jack: >> You might take a look at the Tokyo Hy-Power HL-45b. They are really offered >> for the Yaesu FT-817 but only require a cable to use with just about any >> other QRP radio. They are only about 50w but are small and portable and >> might fill the bill for you even if not as much power as you might want. >> >> Another possibility might be an RM Italy KL300. They put out 150w and are >> fairly inexpensive. The RM Italy amps show up on eBay from time-to-time but >> I think you can also order direct. Also they have a U.S. distributor: >> >> http://www.dnjradio.com//product_info.php?products_id=188&osCsid=0b4e1927581ecc2d744e5dd8a50bf542 >> >> >> I don’t know much about them but their stuff looks interesting. >> >> Randy, W7HR >> Port Orchard, WA > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 qrp battery drain estimation
Dunno if this would be of any help, but the Four States QRP Club has a battery-use estimator on its website. I've found it helpful... http://www.4sqrp.com/Battery_Capacity/index.php With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "Michael Babineau" To: rc...@verizon.net Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:06:06 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 qrp battery drain estimation Robert : If you are planning to use Lead-Acid technology (SLA or wet-cell ) then, as others have suggested, you should double your calculated capacity, as you never want to drain a Lead-Acid battery by more than 50% .. so 10 hr requires 7 Ah 20 hr requires 15 Ah etc. The reality is that you will probably spend somewhat more than 50% of the time listening and tuning around for stations when you are S&P so the real split may be more like 30% TX and 70% RX, but 50/50 is probably a good guess. One further point .. don't discharge a Lead acid battery below 10.5 v. Repeatedly doing this will shorten its lifespan. Don's suggestion of setting the low voltage indication on the K2 to 11v is a good idea. For picnic-table-portable operations, battery booster packs (intended to jump-start cars) work very well and it is easy to find one with an SLA in the 10Ah to 20Ah range, often on sale. You can take the plastic case apart to install some fusing and even powerpole connectors to customize it for your application (I also removed the jumper cables from mine). Some of these packs now even come with USB ports to allow for impromptu powering/charging of i-Devices. It is often cheaper to buy one of these than to purchase just the equivalent capacity SLA battery .. so you get a nice carrying case with a handle and other goodies for free. Best of luck ... Michael VE3WMB >From: Robert G Strickland >Date: June 14, 2013 6:28:10 PM EDT >To: Elecraft >Subject: [Elecraft] K2 qrp battery drain estimation >If I'm operating a K2 at 5w cw, in S&P contest mode, I compute the current >drain under the stated conditions as follows: >conditions: >50% listening, 50% transmitting >CW 50% duty cycle >current: >200ma receive, more or less >1.0a transmit, more or less >current draw per hour: >100ma [30min rcv] + 250ma [30min xmit @ 50% duty cycle] = 350ma per hour >10Hr requires a 3.5Ahr battery >20Hr requires a 7.5Ahr battery >etc... >Is this more or less accurate, or have I missed something? Thanks. >...robert -- >Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY >rc...@verizon.net.usa >Syracuse, New York, USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Openness on the reflector
Bill, Are you sure that the private discussion and reporting is taking place because the initiator intended it that way, or because he/she forgot to use reply-all in replying to an initial post. This is one of several email list to which I subscribe that sends only to the original sender when I use the reply button on my email client. If I use reply-all, my response goes both to the original sender as well as to the list. I apologize if you've already taken this into account, but if not, it may explain why some of the exchanges may seem private... With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "Bill" To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, June 4, 2012 10:04:47 AM Subject: [Elecraft] Openness on the reflector I enjoy my K3 very much, but I am not overly impressed with the level of "user" support offered via the forums/groups/reflectors. To me, it is very irritating the amount of private reporting/discussion that goes on regarding the Elecraft products. It should ALL be out in the open with nothing hidden. That way, we all get to learn at the same time and do not have to reinvent the wheel as problems arise. This is not a Cool-Aide drinking society - there is nothing to protect or hide. The manufacturers and third party providers all must have very thick skin and try to work with problems incurred. Users should endeavor to get the word out when there are problems. With all involved, it assures that problems will be well vetted and quickly corrected. The K3 niche is small on the great scale of ham radio. Hence, it is good to work together - not behind closed doors. Perhaps the forums/groups/reflectors should endeavor to work as well as the Elecraft factory support. Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] CW Key suggestions ?
Ron, Nye-Viking certainly would be a good choice for a straight key. I recommend taking a look at the new-old stock Czech military keys on eBay. I have one, and it is very smooth. It looks unusual, but if you take it into the field at all with your KX3, that cover will do a nice job of keeping the 'skeeters out! ;-) With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "Ronald Nutter" To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 8:23:51 PM Subject: [Elecraft] CW Key suggestions ? Thanks to all that have responded to my previous questions. The next thing I am looking at is getting a CW key. I am thinking about getting the "plug-in" key that is an option for KX3. Since the KX3 that I have ordered probably wont be in my hands until sometime around Christmas based on the other emails I see of order date to ship date, I am looking at getting a CW key for the FT817 I will be using in the interim. I am thinking about possibly getting two different keys - a straight key, possibly a Nye-Viking type and maybe something similar to the Iambic keyer paddle as my cw skills improve. While I probably wont do CW all of the time, it doesnt hurt to be more fluent in that mode than I currently am. Would appreciate any suggestions in this area that anyone here has. Thanks, Ron KA4KYI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Headphones $11.99
Dave, I spotted these in the accessories section of my local T-Mobile store. Might they work? I picked up a couple on impulse, and they have great sound for such tiny enclosures. They about 2 inches tall and maybe 1.5 inches in diameter. They are battery powered, with a computer serving as the battery charger (via a USB port). Supposedly you get six to eight hours off of a charge. http://www.musemini.com/copy-of-muse-mini-portable-speaker-non-bluetooth/ If something like this looks useful, and they don't ship to the UK (and T-Mobile stores there don't carry them), let me know and I can snag one for your and send it along... With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "Dave Lankshear" To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, April 8, 2013 12:19:13 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Headphones $11.99 Bummer! They only ship to continental US, Puerto Rico and APO. Ah well, I guess I have enough sets of headphones, anyway. UK guys, any recommendations for small, amplified, mains-driven speakers for the KX3, please? 73 all. Dave, G3TJP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT - Solar activity article
On Thu, 2011-06-16 at 19:56 +0200, Arie Kleingeld PA3A wrote: > No article, no discussion on any reflector will bring any change in this > solar cycle. And for very good reason. The scientists involved were talking about cycle 25, not this cycle. I attended the press briefing at which the researchers outlined their observations and offered *a range* of possible implications -- from merely a late onset of Cycle 25, as we saw with Cycle 24, to a spotless 25. And at the moment, they were not in a position to hazard a guess on where within that spectrum of outcomes the sun would fall. They were saying: "Hey, folks, we're seeing things at this stage of one solar cycle (24) that look decidedly different from things we've seen at the same point in previous cycles, when the sun is beginning to set the stage for its next cycle. If the trends we see continue, here is a plausible range of possible outcomes." So enjoy this cycle to the fullest. It may -- or may not -- be the last one for awhile. ;-) With best regards, Pete -- Peter N. Spotts -- W1PNS http://www.w1pns.net Email: w1...@arrl.net | Skype: pspotts QCWA #34679 | SKCC #4853T | QRP-ARCI #4174 NEQRP #714 | NAQCC #2446 | GQRP #13202 "Amateur radio is a contact sport. Get on the air and make a contact!" -- Lyle Amundson, K0LFV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX-1 and J-38 hookup?
And the shorting bar is disengaged? Wish I had a dime for every time I connected a key and got a solid tone, only to find the shorting bar was in contact (barely) with the base contact. With best regards, Pete W1PNS - Original Message - From: "John Flynn" To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 1:25:58 PM Subject: [Elecraft] KX-1 and J-38 hookup? Good Day All, I'm attempting to connect my old J-38 to my newly-acquired KX-1 without success. Other than setting the input menu to hnd, is there something else I should be doing? I'm using an old stereo cable with a 1/8 plug for the connection. When I plug it in, I get a continuous tone *without* actually keying the handkey. Tnx. ~John KK4BOB -- John Flynn Tallahassee, Florida USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] DX on 15 watts
On Mon, 2011-08-01 at 09:50 -0400, stan levandowski wrote: > Sam, I clearly see your point. >snip< Oh, all right, another testimonial, sort of. I run 5w through an attic (two-story house) dipole cut for 20m and fed with ladder line, at least to the attic floor. Then it goes to coax -- the cheap, lossy RG58 kind, which doesn't require as large a hole in my ceiling! ;-) No DXCC yet, but I've got about 40 countries with this set-up, and I'm South Dakota-shy of a WAS (domestic DX?). I do a mix of rag-chewing, light contesting, and light paper-chasing. I never believe a 599 report, or even a 559 report, from a DX station, only because I suspect those are the two reports programmed into their memory keyers for contest ops -- one for "you're readable," the other for "I can barely hear you." I'm only now discovering the reverse-beacon sites, which may provide a better sense of what my signal is like when it lands somewhere. The only reports above 559 I believe are those where the other station comes back with something like: Only 5 watts? You're kidding! QRP is not everyone's cup of tea, any more than fly fishing is. But taken in whatever amounts you find tolerable, it can add a sense of challenge to one's operations. As for effective-radiated power, no question that plays a key role in how hard the other station has to work to pull out a QRP signal -- as, one might add, does the amount of incoming signal at whatever ERP the recipient's antenna and feedline will deliver to that ham's xcvr. But even my modest antenna -- with a radiation pattern that must look like a Gordian knot and with an ERP that is probably laughable -- can yield a significant number of enjoyable contacts. I do keep a 45-watt amp on hand for emergency communications or when I serve as a special-event station for club activities. Since most of the members during these SEs are QRO, I want to give them something closer to a signal they are used to pulling in. Power output may seem anachronistic as a gauge of what a station is capable of delivering, but that is just as true for running 1.5kw through a four element beam up 100 feet as it is for 5 watts through the same antenna. Since antennas vary so widely, based on an op's QTH and pocketbook, power out seems to this non-specialist as about the only consistent baseline one can use, however imperfect. But I can be educated otherwise! ;-) As the Genie shouted in "Aladdin": "He *can* be taught!" And then there's OM Propagation and path losses each end of the QSO experiences! But that's another story... With best regards, Pete -- Peter N. Spotts -- W1PNS http://www.w1pns.net Email: w1...@arrl.net | Skype: pspotts QCWA #34679 | SKCC #4853T | QRP-ARCI #4174 NEQRP #714 | NAQCC #2446 | GQRP #13202 "Amateur radio is a contact sport. Get on the air and make a contact!" -- Lyle Amundson, K0LFV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Tips for new KX1
On Wed, 2011-05-04 at 22:12 -0400, John wrote: > Hello all, > > I am combining some gift cash plus the proceeds from the sale of a radio > and have enough to finally order my very own KX1 CW QRP transceiver kit. Hi John, It's a great little radio; you'll love it. I built the 40-20 version and the autotuner and used the radio for a bit before adding the 80-30 module. I think the answer to your question rests in large part on how experienced you are at kit-building and how adept you are at editing construction manuals -- reading through both sets of very detailed instructions, adding any changes from the errata page, then fold one into the other for a straight-through build that works the first time. When I tackled mine, it was the first kit I'd built in roughly 25 years, so I took the conservative 40-20 route and don't regretted it. If I remember correctly, Elecraft recommends adding the 80-30 after you're sure you have a functioning 40-20 radio. The tuner is easy enough to remove when it comes time to add the two extra bands. The approach also introduced me to the joys of a desoldering tool, a kind of reverse, spring-loaded syringe. Looks like something I wouldn't want to see a physician wield around my bod! ;-) I bought the options all at once. But I felt most comfortable following Elecraft's recommended approach. Dunno if this helps at all... With best regards, Pete -- Peter N. Spotts -- W1PNS http://www.w1pns.net Email: w1...@arrl.net | Skype: pspotts QCWA #34679 | SKCC #4853T | QRP-ARCI #4174 NEQRP #714 | NAQCC #2446 | GQRP #13202 "Amateur radio is a contact sport. Get on the air and make a contact!" -- Lyle Amundson, K0LFV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Tips for new KX1
On Wed, 2011-05-04 at 22:12 -0400, John wrote: > Hello all, > Oh yes, and the instructions for the 40-20 only radio give you variations on a couple of steps that you'd take if you intend to add the 80-30 board later. So the latest instructions anticipate somewhat a later addition of the extra bands. Pete -- Peter N. Spotts -- W1PNS http://www.w1pns.net Email: w1...@arrl.net | Skype: pspotts QCWA #34679 | SKCC #4853T | QRP-ARCI #4174 NEQRP #714 | NAQCC #2446 | GQRP #13202 "Amateur radio is a contact sport. Get on the air and make a contact!" -- Lyle Amundson, K0LFV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
