[Elecraft] Is Elecraft K3 NTIA compliant?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

FB Howard. I checked the Redbook myself and it says "mean power", not peak
power. From page 5.1.5:

 

Power is designated as:

peak envelope power (PX or pX)

mean power (PY or pY)

carrier power (PZ or pZ)

 

And paragraph 5.2.2.2 says:

 

".for transmitters with mean power less than 5 kilowatts, at least 43+10 log
(pY) decibels."

 

Note "pY" not "pX".

 

If the Air Force wants to set up a separate rule apart from the NTIA
standards, all you have to do is run 50 watts PEP and you're in since
43+10log(PX) = 60 dB when PX = 50 watts. It's unlikely anyone would be able
to tell the 3 dB (1/2 S-unit) difference in your signal strength. . 

 

Indeed, the K3 might make the 63 dB requirement @ 100 watts PEP. Elecraft's
spec is *greater* than 50 dB.  I suggest dropping a note to
<mailto:sales at elecraft.com> sales at elecraft.com or to
<mailto:k3support at elecraft.com> k3support at elecraft.com and ask. 

 

My involvement with the K3 project is to help Wayne with the assembly
manuals, so I'm not privy to many of the development details and plans. 

 

However, I am a licensed GMDSS maintainer so I'm obliged to have at least a
nodding acquaintance with the rules that seem to crop up like dandelions in
a meadow.  

 

73, 

 

Ron AC7AC

 

 

From: HowardZ at howardz.com [mailto:HowardZ at howardz.com] 
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 2:50 PM
To: Ron D'Eau Claire
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is Elecraft K3 NTIA compliant?

 

Thanks Ron,

The Airforce seems to interpret the redbook a little differently than you
do.

https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/NTIA_Standards.cfm

They seem to say it is 43+10log(Peak Envelope Power), thus requiring 63db at
100 watts PEP.

However, 50db+ is pretty good - puts it in the Kenwood TS-2000 and ICOM 7000
class which both have 0.5PPM and 50dB.
Though not NTIA compliant.
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_Detail.cfm?rec_id=126
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_Detail.cfm?rec_id=180
My 746pro is .5 ppm and 40db.
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_Detail.cfm?rec_id=137
The Icom 7800 has .1 PPM and 55dB - also not NTIA compliant but very close
https://ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_Detail.cfm?rec_id=175
The Elecraft K3 isn't listed at the web site - not yet.

Well, the K3 at 50db is getting close - perhaps while I save up my dollar
bills - the design might improve?  However there are under 5000 MARS members
- not that many to cater to - and most are retired military.


Howard
N3ZH