[Elecraft] K-Line mounting
If you look at my (N1HEL) QRZ.com page, you will photos of my K-Line gear arrayed in its bookcase structure, which is securely mounted to the (extended) dinette table of my RV, which in turn is permanently braced and bolted to the floor. (The RV serves ONLY as a mobile comms van.) The pieces sit atop non-slip rubber matting. When I travel, I secure the tabletop level gear (the K3/P3 on the left and my Astron on the right) by means of bungee cords that run (a) from the front edge of the table to its back edge, hooking into screw eyes on the front and back edges of the table (You can see the screw eyes in the last picture of the bunch.) Shorter cords are used to secure the K500 and the tuner, which are on the second level (left side) and my VHF/UHF gear, which is mounted to a plywood board and sits on the top-left level. For the high-levels gear, screw eyes and S hooks on the edges of the shelves are user to anchor the bungee cords. So far, the gear has seemed very stable under bungee control, although I must admit that I have only run on paved roads. It takes me 5-10 minutes to secure everything. -Paul, N1HEL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
Kiravan is the way forward, http://gearjunkie.com/kiravan-expedition-vehicle-rv But seriously, whatever you do, ensure that there is enough ventilation and that things can be hidden from prying eyes. Maybe consider using ratchet tie down straps to tie the equipment down securely so things don't move or get damagged if you were to have to emergency stop. Robin G1MHU __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
If it were my K-Line in a motorhome - and assuming it would not be operated during travel, I would build a custom box cover (or more to the point, a shell) for it - likely out of plywood. My vision is that box cover would have partitions that would fit between each of the K-Line boxes, and would have a layer of cloth or felt glued to the surfaces that contact the K-Line gear. Those partitions would require that each piece of the K-Line be spaced apart slightly, but assures that they do not rub against each other during travel. For the front and back sides, I would not use a full cover, but just have the wood extend only far enough to secure the equipment from moving front to back - the wood grasps the top edge of the equipment, but not the full surface. That allows the cables to be left in place and the knobs exposed. For travel, I would lower the tilt bails on each piece of equipment, put the cover box in place and strap that box to the table with a web strap. That way nothing moves during travel. When parked at the site, remove the web strap and stow the cover. Extend the tilt bails and operate. 73, Don W3FPR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
I personally use a hard sided travel case fitted with die cut foam to accommodate the various pieces of equipment...radio, power supply, mike, wire antenna, coax cable, and etc. There's a few dedicated cables and such wired into the travel trailer to assist with getting coax outside. Be it a motor home, travel trailer or such, with today's road conditions, i.e. seams, cracks, and potholes, I wouldn't dare leave my radio on a desk or table. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/22/2015 9:34 AM, Rick WA6NHC wrote: The question depends on how the rig travels on lousy roads. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
When I have radio equipment traveling in the RV, they ride on the big bed in the back. It has two inches of foam on top of the mattress, plus a cushy bed cover. They would probably fly forward in a head-on crash with an 18 wheeler, but that would be the least of worries. They have never gone anywhere in hard braking or bumpy roads. Proper cases, to be used anytime the RV is in motion, would be the safe answer. When they start offering K3's as WWII tank equipment, properly hardened for the application, then I will hard mount it in an RV, but not until. I suspect that the KX3 equipment would do better, simply due to the manner of construction. I don't know if anyone has done vibration testing of a KX3, but I suspect it would do better than a K3. 73, Guy On Wed, Jul 22, 2015 at 6:44 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX rmcg...@blomand.net wrote: I personally use a hard sided travel case fitted with die cut foam to accommodate the various pieces of equipment...radio, power supply, mike, wire antenna, coax cable, and etc. There's a few dedicated cables and such wired into the travel trailer to assist with getting coax outside. Be it a motor home, travel trailer or such, with today's road conditions, i.e. seams, cracks, and potholes, I wouldn't dare leave my radio on a desk or table. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/22/2015 9:34 AM, Rick WA6NHC wrote: The question depends on how the rig travels on lousy roads. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k2av@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
When I run my K3 mobile I use a web strap. Easy to install and remove and holds solid. There's a picture on my QRZ.com page. 73, Alan N5NA On 7/21/2015 3:33 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 8 Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:16:02 +1000 From: Garyvk1zzg...@gmail.com To: Elecraft Listelecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting Message-ID:55add598.a981460a.95054.3...@mx.google.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252 Has anyone knowledge of placing a k-line on a desktop in such a way that it is secure when the desktop is in a motorhome? I have some ideas of course but looking for something better perhaps. Thanks Gary __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
The question depends on how the rig travels on lousy roads. For most of the roads in the US, you'll want a semi-rigid mount but soft enough that a hard bounce won't jar anything loose. If your travel include off pavement, it will be the same, only beefier. Padding between the station elements should also be considered. The second side of that is if you pad and strap, what do you have to do to make it operable with adequate cooling? Ideally, it should be able to travel in a ready to use configuration (no covers to remove etc). The final issue is to make the appearance pleasing to your YL to keep the ambient noise level low. ;o) With that in mind, a dedicated cabinet (close the door when not in use, or under the dinette etc), with semi-rigid foam (from a craft shop) under/between the rig(s) then soft adjustable straps over the top (left-right/front-back) to keep pieces from launching on a bounce would seem the best overall. (A small net would seem ideal.) A small computer grade fan keeps the air moving without excessive drain on the energy budget. Heat bad. Remember that the entire K line can be controlled via a computer (laptop, built-in tiny 'puter) so actual physical access is not required after power on so mounting locations is only limited by your imagination. With a small computer at the radio site (for remote control) near the living room TV in could also be part of a media center as well as allowing wifi control of the rig(s). Neither requires a lot of computing power, so a mini-atx in a small box is plenty and takes little room (12 watts of energy for the budget). You're only limited by space, your traveling companion(s) and imagination. Try to think out of the box, fun things can happen. 73, Rick wa6nhc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
Pull the bail down and clamp to that by clamping gently to the rubber on each side. Then you can slide a SignaLing USB into the empty spot under the front of the K3. On Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:16:02 +1000, you wrote: Has anyone knowledge of placing a k-line on a desktop in such a way that it is secure when the desktop is in a motorhome? I have some ideas of course but looking for something better perhaps. Thanks Gary Amateur Radio Operator N5GE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
No need to use a Signalink with a K3.. it's audio input and output jacks are already isolated. Robin G1MHU (K3-10 user) -Original Message- From: Amateur Radio Operator N5GE Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 4:54 PM To: Gary Cc: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting Pull the bail down and clamp to that by clamping gently to the rubber on each side. Then you can slide a SignaLing USB into the empty spot under the front of the K3. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
Gary, for longer time I am thinking about the setup where all equipment including the K3 will be mounted in the 19 rack. Another idea is to mount all into the wardrobe or apropriate cabinet each separatelly on it's shelf/cupboard... I am still looking for solution mainly because I did not found mounting bracket for K3. I do not want to make any holes into the K3 or other stuffs. So I have no solution for You just ideas and I am curious about solutions or ideas from others. 73 - Petr, OK1RP - http://ok1rp.blogspot.com -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K-Line-mounting-tp7605183p7605187.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
How about a metal Bar/Strap across the tops of the gear (with a strip of foam weatherstripping to grip and protect the gear). You can use carriage bolts and wingnuts to pull the strap down tight against the top of the gear From: ok1rp indi...@xsmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 7:29 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting Gary, for longer time I am thinking about the setup where all equipment including the K3 will be mounted in the 19 rack. Another idea is to mount all into the wardrobe or apropriate cabinet each separatelly on it's shelf/cupboard... I am still looking for solution mainly because I did not found mounting bracket for K3. I do not want to make any holes into the K3 or other stuffs. So I have no solution for You just ideas and I am curious about solutions or ideas from others. 73 - Petr, OK1RP - http://ok1rp.blogspot.com -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K-Line-mounting-tp7605183p7605187.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to hlyin...@yahoo.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
For rack mounting, here's a source for Elecraft gear http://www.novexcomm.com/store.php?category=11 . Cheers, David/KG6IRW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K-Line-mounting-tp7605183p7605192.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K-Line mounting
Cable ties - unless you are off-road racing or in a crash, they will do fine. Just drill a few holes in the desk surface to run the ties through. Bill W2BLC K-Line __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K-Line mounting
Has anyone knowledge of placing a k-line on a desktop in such a way that it is secure when the desktop is in a motorhome? I have some ideas of course but looking for something better perhaps. Thanks Gary __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
