[Elecraft] K3 New owner 2B Checklist

[Gary Smith]

I so rarely use phone, really enjoy the challenge of CW. Did use a 
mic last weekend to ask a question of non contesting hams to check my 
signal quality as someone said I was sending out clicks all over the 
band. (Turns out the signal was clean & it was just a lid pestering 
me). 

I do have a Heil HM-5 I bought back in the 80s and it is wired for 
the TenTec 4 pin.

73,
Gary
KA1J

> You should also consider the Heil Goldline mic for it.  That is if you
> operate phone.
> 
> 73,
> matt zilmer
> 
> On Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:34:15 -0500, you wrote:
> 
> >To my initial question: 
> >
> >" 
> >> I'm ordering the K3 100W kit and have a K9AY receiving antenna and 
> >> will be using a Titan 425 amplifier with it. I have several power 
> >> supplies I can use with one being the larger Heathkit 13.8 supply 
> >> which works fine with my TenTec gear. I also have a TenTec power 
> >> supply which matches with my Omni V. 
> >> 
> >> Are there any caveats or unexpected boondoggles I can expect to run 
> >> into that I might get ready to resolve before it arrives? " 
> >
> >
> >Jim K9YC was most helpful with my question on using the Titan 425 
> >with the K3: 
> >
> >"I have three 425s, and have used them in contesting for years using 
> >this arrangement, which was a way of doing QSK with virtually any rig 
> >(the 425 was designed before 1980). 
> >
> >You do NOT need to do this with the K3 -- the K3 has a built in TX 
> >delay (adjustable in CONFIG) so that the TX/RX relay in the amp has 
> >time to switch. So simply set the 425 in PTT mode and feed it the amp 
> >keying line from the K3. I'm conservative, so I set the delay for 
> >12ms to give the relay plenty of time to switch. The default is 8ms. 
> >------------------------------------- 
> >
> >And Mike AC5P offered the same kind of good suggestion: 
> >
> >
> >"Gary, The one thing different about the K3 is the DC power input 
> >connector. This is an Anderson 30A Power Pole connector. I don´t know 
> >of any other ham gear that uses this type of connector. IMHO, it is 
> >superior to the Molex type plug/jacks that the others supply. They 
> >supply one (and one only) connector and 6 ft of #12 DC zip cord. Most 
> >hams don´t have the special crimp tool, so you will have to solder 
> >the pins correctly positioned THE FIRST TIME to make it up." 
> >------------------------------------- 
> >
> >
> >
> >As to the Amp, I'll be sure to read up on how to find the delay in 
> >config. Last time I modified anything with "config" was back with 
> >windoze 95 :) I'm sure that config / setup will be something I will 
> >be using a fair amount at first & probably when I update and the 
> >like. 
> >
> >As to the Power Pole connector, this will be my introduction to them, 
> >never seen one before. Thus far I've been a dinosaur when it comes to 
> >new ham gear & my newest anything is 20 years old till now with the 
> >exception of my K9AY sold by Array and my Ameritron coax switch. 
> >Wait, I do have a butternut I use for 40 & up that was made in the 
> >mid 90's... :} 
> >
> >Any other suggestions regarding a heads up perhaps regarding 
> >specialty assembly/test equipment I will need to be ready for the k3 
> >100W kit? 
> >
> >Thanks for the help! 
> >
> >73, 
> >
> >Gary 
> >KA1J