[Elecraft] UK Elecraft net report for Sunday 15th February

[Dave G4AON]

This week we had a little QRM with some stations struggling to hear
those running at the 10 Watt power level.

Subject matter was as always quite interesting in no particular order:

USB to serial adapters.

K3 2.82 firmware and "peaky" results on SSB, one net member was using
the built-in 6 dB attenuator in his Acom 1000 in order to be able to run
his K3 at 100W. I have reverted to 2.38 firmware in order to avoid the
poor ALC control in later versions although this can be a problem with
some 3rd party control programs and is also an issue for those with the
voice recorder and possibly those with the 2nd receiver.

Source of Altoids tins to build Softrock panoramic adapters into (my
village newsagent stocks them, supermarkets apparently don't).

Whether it is necessary to use a buffer amplifier with a Softrock IF and
the K3.

Adding an IF output to a K3 without having to purchase the KXV3 (see the
KXV3 installation instructions and circuit, you will see there is only a
cable and BNC socket required).

Microphone ground modifications and how good the low cost Kenwood MC-43S
microphone sounds on a K3. Several net members were either using that
microphone or were swapping to one for a demonstration.

The net was recorded by Dave, GM4EVS. A 15 MB MP3 file of the net can be
downloaded from http://www.t9cw.com/k3net/

Stations this week were:

G0VGS, Ian
G4DQP, Vince
G0MJW, Mike
M3WCK, Colin
GM0ELP, Doug
M1PAF, Paul
M1KAZ, Andrew

73 until next week
Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80, Acom 1000, dipole