Re: [ELECRAFT] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
Very interesting test and another use for the XG1! Remember, the fat ladder line may be not canceling the currents, ie is not as balanced as the more narrow line. Or maybe, the window narrow line is just the better match to the tuner or it is the routing and the surrounding influences. -Stuart K

Re: [Elecraft] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
Can the XG1 transmit into a 50 ohm resistor with short stiff wire leads to couple, near the loop? -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, su

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Many pieces of equipment never get a comment from hams when they work as advertised, or have so many advanced features that most hams never learn to use them. Thus, it is likely you hear the war stories of the problem equipment; rather than of the successes. In addition to my own MFJ 269, which h

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ten Tec has a great "T kit" for adjusting Antenna Tuners with out a signal on the air, save the built in noise bridge. And it costs a LOT less than an Antenna Analyzer from the commercial sources. The kit is one board, handful of components and maybe one hour or less assembly. You listen for a n

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
My clubs, (two) have had 3 MFJ's. The only reason we had 3, was we replaced a 259 with the 259 B for added features, and gave the still working one away as a door prize. I have the Autek RF 1, and then later got the MFJ 269 to gain 440 band. All have worked well. There was an intermittent disp

Re: [Elecraft] heat and wicking

2005-04-12 Thread Stuart Rohre
In a plated thru hole, you only have to solder one side, and the conduction is made to the trace on other, as there is already solder in the hole. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to pos

Re: [Elecraft] Non-resonant attic loop

2005-04-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Those having low band noise using indoor or attic antennas, might make a large copper pipe loop for low noise receiving. It should be symmetric for best effect. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a s

Re: [Elecraft] Resistors

2005-04-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
I will echo Ron's comment about the colors not being easily to sort out on today's resistors. It is much better to use a DMM to be sure, and not trust your eyes. If you want to pick resistors, do so with a high intensity light and magnifier, and you will have a better chance of picking the correc

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Ear Buds and Headphones cushion substitutes

2005-04-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hi Vic, The diameter of the cosmetic pads I have found is smaller, (slightly) than the Trimm type and Military Surplus phones I have used them on. I do wear glasses 100 per cent of the time, and these pads have not been a problem. They do not stick out forward of the ear enough to touch the glass

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Ear Buds and Headphones cushion substitutes

2005-04-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
I have found that some ear buds fit better if you switch them to the other ear, or turn them slightly so that the wire exits at an angle to the rear of the head. Maybe you can find a more comfortable position that way. On another headphone note: From time to time, I report on using "Cosmetic Sp

Re: [Elecraft] K2 L33 (BFO) - aesthetics & adhesives

2005-04-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can get quality 3M electrical tape at Home Depot/ Lowe's in various colors to have something that does not look like "electrical tape". White is available, orange, and many other colors. You can use a wide tape, such as the clear vinyl tapes sold at home centers. While Scotch type tapes will

[Elecraft] Re: Fillet or not?

2005-03-30 Thread Stuart Rohre
Absolutely do not leave out the fillet. If you have a lead that sticks out of a hole, you should have a fillet around it. That is a requirement of the NASA soldering course of years ago, but has not changed as far as I see in modern assemblies. The flush plated thru hole is OK for solder bond to

Re: [Elecraft] z5 resonator leads

2005-03-30 Thread Stuart Rohre
Never trim precut to length leads such as ICs and relays, and resistor packs, or crystals. These have just enough extension thru the normal fillet of solder to not be a problem, and to provide a place to clip on for troubleshooting probes. Trimming short leads that were not designed to be trimmed

Re: [Elecraft] Mars Frequencies

2005-03-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
MARS has no better email than anyone else. The request for application could have fallen in the bit bucket and not gotten to MARS; or they might have been short staffed as they often are at HQ. MARS is pretty far down the staffing priorities when it comes to the management of the program by the m

Re: [Elecraft] K2 mic hole plug specs?

2005-03-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
Look up the Caplugs Co. on Google, and write for some samples of their plugs, stating the sizes you need. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Cha

Re: [Elecraft] OT: drillbit question

2005-03-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
These stepped drill bits are OK for the larger holes you might want to make in thin metal. They are sold at Harbor Freight at import prices. See their web pages. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be

Re: [Elecraft] Re: Magnetic fields and phase noise

2005-03-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
Bob, Putting a large speaker magnet near any tuned circuit creates a large magnetic field that can affect the tuned circuit. The effect of your large speaker is common upon many radios. This even affects toroid circuits such as those in the K2. -Stuart K5KVH _

Re: [Elecraft] Phase noise suggestions

2005-03-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
A simple brute force test would be to procure a simple mild steel box sufficient to contain the K2 on all sides save the front panel. See if the K2 in the box is still sensitive to nearby power fields. If not then proceed to use less shielding in a series of tests: Experiment with sheets of st

Re: [Elecraft] Re: magnetic fields and phase noise?

2005-03-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
A soft steel cover might do the needed K2 shielding without the expense of Mu Metal. There are also mu metal type foils that are self adhesive which could glue to existing panels for increased magnetic field shielding. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft maili

Re: [Elecraft] Qs about esd and BNC connectors

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
Crimp tools run from about $50 for limited sets of dies at Mouser, to $200 for a do everything crimp tool from Pasternak Enterprises. I have two types of Pasternak tools at work and although not cheap they last forever. But check other distributors catalogs. Places like MCM might have a better bu

Re: [Elecraft] Qs about esd and BNC connectors

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
I replied to George directly. I have had trouble while mobile with a Radio Shack twist on BNC loosening on my RG 58 coax antenna lead. Amphenol is carried by Mouser with no minimum order, and has both crimp on and solder and clamp type BNCs. They also have a twist on Amphenol, but have not exper

Re: [Elecraft] recommendation for portable antenna

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
Charles, I got a Minuteman vertical on close out at local ham store. It is still available I think on web. (Google the name) it has pvc mast and base and is for 20 and up. It has partly a telescoping whip top section. Worked great last year on a QRP outing in so so propagation. You could easi

Re: [Elecraft] RF in Shack

2005-03-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Coax, will only exacerbate RF in the shack on an end fed long wire. You will have radiation back down the outside of the shield and if the coax is a critical fraction of a quarter wave at the shack end, it will radiate there. The unbalance in end feed with ladder line is only 10 per cent per L.

Re: [Elecraft] esd?

2005-03-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
Static buildup depends on the Relative Humidity of the workplace as well. Down in the South we do not have the problem someone in Phoenix may have with dry air, for example. Thus, in addition to discharging yourself, and bringing all work areas to same voltage potential, you might consider monito

Re: [Elecraft] KPA100 Anderson Plug Wobble

2005-02-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Make sure the contacts are seated all the way into the connectors. They should have "clicked" when inserted. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr.

Re: [Elecraft] Tuning 88' with KX1 autotuner?

2005-02-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
Any time you have trouble loading a given balanced line, simply try adding 5 or 10 feet of line to the feeder and it should tune. You are moving the SWR node along the line to give the tuner a more favorable voltage situation. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraf

Re: [Elecraft] N fittings

2005-02-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
My understanding of the place to place silicon grease is NOT upon the outside of the connector, but rather in the interface between male and female connectors. The idea is to exclude moisture pooling on the insulator between the center pin and the outer shell conductor. However, if you over wrap

Re: [Elecraft] Waterproofing coax connectors (Was: N Fittings)

2005-02-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tom is very correct. In 3M presentations on their specialty tape products, they emphasized NOT yanking off the end of any tape; but to unroll as Tom says, and let it "relax" then CUT the tape from the roll. That way, you will not have loose ends hanging off the installation after a few weeks. Thi

Re: [Elecraft] N fittings power ????

2005-02-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
A properly terminated UHF or N connector can handle a kilowatt. The ratings on the connectors vary by what voltage they can withstand. Also, N connectors have seals for weather proofing. UHF have to be weatherproofed externally, but when done so are perfectly reliable for periods of 15 years or

Re: [Elecraft] on the topic of autotuners

2005-02-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
One of the issues in the operation of an auto tuner, is that it has to transmit enough power to be rectified by silicon diodes detecting and operating in a linear manner. Also, you have to transmit enough power to break down the oxides on connectors, RF switches, antenna connections and anything e

Re: [Elecraft] agm battery info

2005-02-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
Check locally for a chain store called "Battery Tech" They have AGM batteries. Stuart K5KVH ___ 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

Re: [Elecraft] Grounding

2005-01-31 Thread Stuart Rohre
Another good resource is the Polyphasor web page for static protection and grounding info. -Stuart K5KVH ___ 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

Re: [Elecraft] (no subject)

2005-01-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
The tip is not grounded in an isolated tip iron. Allows one to control the static grounding to include the operator, etc. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscribe

Re: [Elecraft] Headphones

2005-01-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hank and the group, One of the worst feeling headphone arrangements is any of the old hard phones from military or 1950's ham days without cushions. The rubber cushions that completely covered those types of phones used to be sold by Allied Radio, and made by Trimm or one of the other headphone ou

Re: re:[Elecraft] Questions on battery, pots, chargers, and paddles

2005-01-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
Scott, never ship electronics with a battery installed unless you disconnect one lead from the battery so that there is not way it can energize in shipment. DO NOT RELY ON ANY!! SWITCH! We have shipped equipment all over the world and seen it accidentally turn itself on through vibration or switc

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Help me identify this capacitor?

2005-01-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
4500 Microfarad 150 Volts DC -Stuart K5KVH ___ 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

Re: [Elecraft] DMM Recommendations

2005-01-10 Thread Stuart Rohre
Check your local Home Depot or Lowe's home centers and hardware stores. They have had good buys on brand name 3 1/2 digit meters of late. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the li

Re: [Elecraft] Sad news

2005-01-05 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tom, please pass on my own condolences and I am sure all here on the list join in as well. -Stuart K5KVH ___ 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

Re: [Elecraft] Re: IC pins

2005-01-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
If your local humidity is kept above 50 per cent RH, you can grasp the pins of any IC and gently squeeze them to close them to fit sockets. I usually lay them sideways on the desk top and put pressure on them, holding the plastic or ceramic body. This is the safest way. -Stuart K5KVH __

Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling

2005-01-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
Aluminum foil has very slight magnetic shielding, but there is commercial mu metal foil that is very expensive but very good. Thin sheet metal is cheaper and more readily found. Check it with a magnet to see if it will work as magnetic shield. If magnet sticks it is steel or ferrous (shield abil

Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling

2005-01-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
Leigh, most of your coupling may be magnetic, if shielding did not reduce the RFI. You might want to experiment with steel shim stock or even tinplate from cans. The easiest fix is distance: Moving the rig away from magnetic and electric field sources of transformers as you have found. GL, Stua

Re: [Elecraft] KPA 100 Power requirements

2005-01-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
Steve, the Astron has the ratings to handle the K2 plus 100 watts. It also has voltage regulator that should limit the current, so added breaker is optional. It should be slightly larger than the current draw of the K2 plus the amplifier, if used. If you do not use the breaker, be sure to fuse

Re: [Elecraft] A minor C22 question

2005-01-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
The cover on vs. off naturally changes overall circuit capacitance as well as temperature. What you do is see how much you are off with cover on, and adjust with cover off, in a direction to bring the circuit right on with the cover on. In other words, you overcompensate the setting for the final

Re: [Elecraft] Yosemite Sam & zulu time

2004-12-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
I notice the lack of familiarity with military time and Zulu time keeping among our ARES members, and new hams during simulated emergency tests, or public service events where any messaging is done. It is widespread since the recission of the requirement to keep a log, I am afraid. -Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] Yosemite Sam & zulu time

2004-12-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
It used to be Standard Operating Procedure for all hams to keep their logs in Zulu, (Greenwich) time, in that for working other countries or other time zones, this is the only practical way to keep QSL card records. I think it is remiss of current education in ham radio, that we do not emphasize t

Re: [Elecraft] Rig dust covers??

2004-12-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
Some dust covers suitable for ham gear can be found, (Or was found) at Office supply stores. you might also check places like the Container Store chain. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber

Re: [Elecraft] (no subject)

2004-12-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
If one was not drawing sparks off the carpet, and the ambient humidity is high, you probably have not zapped any chips. However, it is always good to take precautions, in case the weather changes and drys out while you are building. -Stuart K5KVH ___ E

Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling

2004-11-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
Earl, Contact the companies that sell mu metal products and you can get a mu metal foil or tape that should take care of the problem. That and some distance from the offending linear should help. Maybe even doing the MU Metal shield around the power transformer and choke of the linear would be e

Re: [Elecraft] N6WG (Alameda County Radio Club) Does It Again

2004-10-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
Congratulations Bob! 72 Stuart K5KVH ___ 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: h

Re: [Elecraft] FD participants and scores

2004-10-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
ARRL requests you send in logs of both operators and guests, so "participants" includes all who come to Field Day site. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Inf

Re: [Elecraft] Hum coupling?

2004-10-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
The bottom line on placement of rigs to avoid hum for Elecraft, or any other brand, is to place the transformers and switchers as far from the rigs as possible within reason. Use twisted pair leads from DC supplies external to the rigs, and shield them if possible. Alternatively (and at great cos

Re: [Elecraft] Hum coupling?

2004-10-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Actually, Tom switching supplies may have a worse coupling effect since they have an oscillator going at higher frequency than the power line, in addition to power line 60 Hz. And, even coupling of RF between Tuner and Radio can happen. At a Field Day one time, a tuner was placed on a Yaesu trans

Re: [Elecraft] QRP Pwr/SWR meter

2004-10-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Fred, The Ten Tec 1202 Power SWR meter works fine and accurately below 10 watts. In fact I recal'd mine to 2 watts full scale. See my review of same in Fall 1996 QRP ARCI Quarterly magazine. 72, Stuart Rohre K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Po

Re: [Elecraft] QRP Pwr/VSWR meter

2004-10-25 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ten Tec's 1202 Power and SWR meter kit is a best buy as it can be calibrated for QRP and for QRO, (two scales). It also has two pickups, one for HF and one for VHF/ UHF. Although spec'd only up to 2m, I found it useable for nulls at 440 as well. You can easily change the calibration to suit your

Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 on sailboat?

2004-10-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
It is very standard to use the back stay guy of the main mast for antenna on a sail boat. It works very well, if the boat has an adequate ground plate and bonding of the metal of the craft to radio ground. Metal towers used with slopers are no different from a metal mast and a slanted back stay a

Re: [Elecraft] Opinions please...

2004-10-12 Thread Stuart Rohre
All the hard work of balun design has been done in the balun kit offered by The Wireman, Landrum S.C. (on web). I believe Amidon might also have Balun kits and both fit the power range you want. Typically, it is hard to get one balun to work 160m to 10m. See the Jerry Sevick books, (Baluns and

Re: [Elecraft] Parts for compact loop antenna - toroid help

2004-10-06 Thread Stuart Rohre
Daniel, You could forgo the core toroid entirely and use a small loop of smaller coax than that of the antenna loop coax. 73, Stuart K5KVH Google on "small loops" for a variety of feed versions. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.ne

Re: [Elecraft] K2 et al magnifying helps

2004-10-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
Paul, Are you using an illuminated magnifier of at least 3X power? Also, do you have a supplemental hand magnifier that you could place behind the illuminated bench glass and have double the magnification? Makes it much easier to see the boards and the notations. Also, be sure to work in the ord

Re: [Elecraft] Bird 43 Wattmeter calibration

2004-09-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
There are no user adjustments on the slug or pickup of the Bird that I am aware of. You could check it against some other known standard and construct a graph paper of differences, but the Bird is good plus or minus 5 per cent about as good as it gets for RF unless you go to high dollar calorimetr

Re: [Elecraft] Ooops -- think I fried the IF amp...

2004-09-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
The way to approach a problem that extends over several stages is to "half split" it. That means you go half way into the circuit and monitor, for normal operation. Then, if that works move half way later in the chain of circuits and so on, until you narrow down the problem to one stage. Usually,

Re: [Elecraft] Ear-buds?

2004-09-16 Thread Stuart Rohre
Don, there is a sensitivity rating on the better quality earbuds packages. Some of the Sony models are quite efficient among others. The cheap unlisted specs models vary all over the place. Plus, the insulation gets stiff on the Dollar store brands. 72, Stuart K5KVH _

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Suspension

2004-09-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can find the breaking strength vs. gauge of wire for copper in wire tables from the manufacturers. You can also find in some catalogs what the safe tension in pounds is, and the weight should not exceed the working tension rating. A wire is going to assume a natural sag of a centenary, and as

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Wire

2004-09-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
A foot note to Jim's wire comments: Watch out for fence wire that is Aluminum clad steel. It will be less ductile than true aluminum and will quickly rust out and fail where scratched or nicked. Sadly, copper plated steel fence wire sold for electric fences, rusts out in about a year in humid cl

Re: [Elecraft] leaking batteries

2004-08-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
An easy added protection for batteries is to use the appropriate zip lock bag to add a protective membrane around the battery. Put holes to pass battery leads but seal those with RTV silicone Rubber caulking compound. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing

Re: [Elecraft] K1 enthusiast wonders ??

2004-08-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
Actually, many manufacturers with multiple but similar models, often have lapses of keeping everything updated. Things get busy with more than one product to sell, accessories and parts to sell, and keeping up with parts inventory for different designs. Not to mention, current production orders t

Re: [Elecraft] 10 meter SSB audio distortion

2004-08-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
Is the mike cable shield grounded to the radio mike connector shell and thus the radio case? It should be to preclude RF effects. It sounds like you have an unbalanced or end fed antenna? If that is a case a dipole/ doublet will be a better choice in that location where you have some RF coupling b

Re: [Elecraft] RE: SSB Transmit Audio

2004-08-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can roll off low end by decreasing the coupling capacitor in series with the mike hot lead, or adding another to the mike alone to effectively do the same. You may need to change the gain of the mike preamp to optimize for the Heil mike. 72, Stuart K5KVH _

Re: [Elecraft] K1 transmitter alignement problem

2004-08-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
Sometimes reheating what "look" like good joints will fix a problem. Are you sure the enamel got well removed from toroid leads before soldering those leads? GL, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a sub

Re: [Elecraft] KX-1, Picnic Table Portable and TVI

2004-08-16 Thread Stuart Rohre
There is a fix for this well known susceptable Wineguard amplified antenna. Check out the ARRL web site, or Wineguard web site. Something was in QST I believe also. They have to fix or trade in the antenna with Wineguard. It is not possible to fix at the ham station. 72, Stuart K5kVH

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
Pete, I have tried cyanoacrylate and when it heated it let go. -Stuart K5KVH ___ 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.n

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Peter, There are water clean fluxes that might answer your concern. I was thinking of ones that dissipate with soldering heat, just a dot on land of the component that was to be the "down side." Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@

Re: [Elecraft] What tuning knob is best on K2

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Why not get the spinner attachment for the standard Elecraft knob? Easy addition as it glues on. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub,

Re: [Elecraft] OT: SMT kits?

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Yes, the Princess line of irons with replaceable tips can be used for SMT. Stuart K5KVH ___ 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://ma

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
For manual SMT parts, 1206 is a workable size: 0.12 in. by 0.06 in. Stuart K5KVH ___ 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.

Re: [Elecraft] OT: SMT kits?

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Sandy, What kind of soldering station do you have now? How about $5 to put you in SMD capable soldering set up? Or maybe $10 outside, the cost of a proper tip if you have a heat controlled station now. 750 tips would do it, with the narrow end suited to 1206 pads. 73, Stuart K5KVH _

Re: [Elecraft] OT: SMT kits?

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
SMT: Actually, you can use your present soldering station if it is heat controlled, and just get a smaller conical 750 degree tip for the Weller, or Ungar lines. For home use, this works for 1206 components well enough. The secret is to not apply heat too long, you are not soldering like you did

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Yes, I think we can do simple kits with 1206 parts with home hand tools and possibly a hold down fixture home made. In fact, that would be a great "kit", a set of SMT sized tools: Needle Nose pliers, light spring tweezer, hold down device that would sit on desk and exert weight on a 1206 compone

Re: [Elecraft] SCS modems with a K2

2004-08-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tom, The local SCS modem expert is Lewis Thompson, W5IFQ here at ARL. email him at the adr I will send, for info on the interfacing of the SCS. He has successfully interfaced them to the little 5 watt Yaesu radio, I know. I think it is pretty straightforward to interface the SCS to anything.

Re: [Elecraft] carrying cases and ESD

2004-08-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hi, Indeed, vibration in mobile transport creates triboelectricity, a charge build up by friction of wires insulations against conductors. It could be not the foam of the box, (which usually is grey or black indicating carbon content) but the wiring inside the radio. It is always good practice to

Re: [Elecraft] Another "dipole" with a simpler tuner and feedline

2004-08-05 Thread Stuart Rohre
The Windom is not a cure all antenna, and indeed has a number of potential problems. Its original version was a one band antenna, and modern uses of similar antennas are like stuffing a model ship in a bottle--doing something other than the physics show is the simplest antenna. As an off center f

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Awards Announcement

2004-08-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
In other words, a revival of the "Rag Chewers Club" formerly available from ARRL! Very good Larry. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change,

Re: [Elecraft] Like MFJ's 931 Artificial Ground ?

2004-08-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
The nice thing about the Ten Tec kit, is that it can be easily converted to an "L" network tuner, if you switch the point where the pick up circuit monitors current, and substitute a coax jack for the connection in one original hole. That way, it can be converted back to artificial ground service

Re: [Elecraft] Like MFJ's 931 Artificial Ground

2004-08-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
Artificial ground tuners are series resonant circuits with a current sensing metering circuit so that you can tune for maximum current in the series circuit, an indication of optimum cancellation of the reactive ground lead, (resonance). Stuart K5KVH __

Re: [Elecraft] Long wire balun question

2004-08-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
As others have noted two radials is a minimum. They should be used in balanced numbers, pairs. You also may benefit to have one radial in each direction you wish to work, as that increases the signals from that direction when you have only one radial in that direction. Pairing radials is suppose

Re: [Elecraft] More antenna problems

2004-07-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Indeed, I agree that a horizontal antenna may be less noisy than the ground mounted vertical. You can try a simple wire dipole made of hook up wire at little expense to check local noise situation and its orientation may make a big difference in noise. The wire should not be parallel and at same

Re: [Elecraft] More antenna problems

2004-07-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
I agree with Phil, that a ground mounted vertical would pick up more household noise than a horizontal dipole placed away from the house. See the Cebik web site; www.cebik.com for antenna ideas that really work for limited space. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___

Re: [Elecraft] 44 ft. doublet magic lead length and "bats in my belfry"

2004-07-26 Thread Stuart Rohre
Doug, I guarantee that a whole box of moth balls will evict your furry attic resident. However, it will permeate to the house, unless you can seal the attic entry from the house with masking tape for a few days. Be sure to find the entry point and be ready to screen it off as soon as the furry fr

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Effective Antennas for use with K2 ATU

2004-07-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
Nicolas, you will never go wrong with the simple dipole. With your restricted space, you might have to bend a dipole to fit, but that should be considered as opposed to a less effective antenna. The 44 foot dipole plus the tuner hits a number of good DX bands. You can bend it to fit your space.

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-20 Thread Stuart Rohre
Bob, You might have another world round table. I did one in about 1991, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Chile, and Texas. SSB, 100 watts, wire K5KVH varient of the G5RV. (Flat top was tee made up of 40 feet phase line plus the wire doublet). 73, Stuart K5KVH ___

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
The great Sunspot cycle peak in 1957 was the greatest ever recorded. For some of us that were just coming into radio, it is hard to take cycles that do not reach those dizzy heights. For a young ham in 1957, sitting in a mobile with AM rig of about 50 watts, talking to Australia in the middle of

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
If the average Sun Spot cycle can be called 11 years, and if 2002 was the peak year, (somewhat muddied because of an apparent double peak this time); then, from a peak to bottom should be 5 1/2 years. The bottom would be in 2007, and then another 5 1/2 years would bring the next peak around 2013.

Re: [Elecraft] a few basics please, watt to watt compare

2004-07-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
Bands such as 80m and 160m have a lot of thunderstorm static in summer, and are best in that regard , (lower noise) in winter. 40m is more of a daytime band for shorter ranges, and skip lengthens out at night. If you are trying to work in state, 80 and 160 m are best for that at night. Bands ab

Re: [Elecraft] K2/100 for Emcomm Use?

2004-07-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
John, It would be perfect for a mobile or to the field shelter rig. you would use it with low doublets for NVIS propagation, (straight up). NVIS is a very viable HF technique for around the state communications. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing l

Re: [Elecraft] Problem? Don't know

2004-07-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
You may have better results with a dipole antenna, or at least you will be able to tell if it is the band. A very low antenna as you describe, 12 ft., radiates mostly straight up and is only good within your state except for exceptional propagation conditions. Try something from a tree to the pea

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna?

2004-07-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
Doug, Hams have to remember, even if using coax, with a tuner on the rig, the coax is part of the antenna system and can radiate if a critical length. This is obviously why the 30m band is hard to match. You have to make the antenna plus coax of an electrical length the tuner can match. GL and 7

[Elecraft] Queries posted from sites that need the answers authenticated

2004-07-07 Thread Stuart Rohre
Posters should disable their anti spam authentication if they want a direct answer to their question. A recent query resulted in my receiving a long complicated request for me to go to web site to prove may answer was not from a machine. The web site took too long to come up, so I canceled the re

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna?

2004-07-07 Thread Stuart Rohre
Doug, the feedline length may be a problem on 30m. Try adding or subtracting 5 or 10 feet to it. 72 Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub

Re: [Elecraft] K2 Frequency Calibration

2004-07-07 Thread Stuart Rohre
Isn't the tone alternation of WWV between 400 and 600 Hz? It used to be. -Stuart K5KVH ___ 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://ma

Re: [Elecraft] Mobile problems

2004-07-06 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ford trucks are notorious for having need of filters added to the in tank fuel pump and possibly at the computer. There is a service bulletin, he may have to go back a few years. Ask dealer to contact the regional or National RFI people at Ford. There is a company here who makes filters for Ford

Re: [Elecraft] Audio seems low

2004-07-05 Thread Stuart Rohre
Lee, Maybe a latent bad solder joint? How about the speaker mounting screws being overly tight? A couple of the obvious things to check. 72, and GL, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to

<    1   2   3   4   >