[Elecraft] K3: Mods for wide band transmiting?

[Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF]

Hmmm,
It seems that the OP's question and my answer may have created a bit of a storm in a teacup.

If you are offended in some way by my post I appologise.

Perhaps I should clarify my original reply.

I 'acquired' the out of band TX software via a radio based forum on the internet and tried it out on my K3 and found that it does do as I stated, it will transmit out of band on all bands except 27MHz. (I tested my 'modified' K3 into a dummy load.)

The only need I have for transmitting out of band is that I am an Australian Coast Guard Volunteer and the holder of a Marine Radio Operators certificate and as such I monitor (and occasionally transmit on) the HF marine frequencies 'after Coast Guard hours' here at home. 
(My local Coast Guard holds the appropriate licences for me to operate at my home on both the HF and VHF marine frequencies.)

It is nice to be able to do that using the K3 with it's (far) superior reciever in comparison to some (most) of the commercial marine rigs out there. 

As for the lack of 27MHz transmit capability, that's something that must be taken up with both Elecraft and the FCC as I believe it is due to some of the rather strict rules that are in place re: type approval of any upper HF band transmitter in the US of A.
(See Ron AC7AC's rather eloquent reply)

BTW, I had a Kenwood TS480SAT before I purchased my K3, it was a pretty good mobile set though it's DSP is woeful. 
I would not use a 480 at home but in a mobile installation I found that it's hard to beat.
(As an aside, my TS480SAT was modified by it's original owner's dealer for continuos coverage TX, including 27MHz though I never used it out of band, apparently it's a quite simple task to do, involving one resistors removal I believe.)

73 de

Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF
Innisfail, QLD, Australia
Elecraft K3# 4257
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron D'Eau Claire 
  To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Monday, December 27, 2010 6:35 AM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Mods for wide band transmiting?


  Here in the US there are few "bootleggers" on MARS, etc., but it's been an
  epidemic on the 11 meter CB band since 11 meters was taken from Amateur and
  given to CB service.

  It was quite predictable, given the huge number of Amateur rigs on the used
  market that covered 11 meters when it was a Ham band. As SSB phased into CB,
  many bootleggers made money modifying newer Ham gear to cover 11 meters. 

  The draconian regulations covering the ability to modify/operate US Ham rigs
  and amplifiers on the 11 meter band are an attempt to stem that abuse by
  providing a clear legal basis to prosecute suppliers of that stuff along
  with the illegal operators. 

  Ron AC7AC 

  -----Original Message-----
  ...Its double standards saying on the one hand that its ok to use the K3 on
  one particular HF service  even though its it illegal,  then go onto say
  that it wont be allowed on the CB service. 

  To me it does not matter since I use a TS480HX and its IMD performance at
  100 watts  meets spectral purity standards for all HF services at 100 watts
  of output. The TS480HX is good radio at 100 watts of output. I use my 480HX
  in both my sailing and flying hobbies and it works great.

  At least if you wanted to  stand on the high moral ground, out of band
  transmission on any non amateur band on the K3 should not be allowed. You at
  least would have some credibility on the issue. 

  73
  John

  --- On Sat, 12/25/10, Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF <vk4bof.elecraft at gmail.com>
  wrote:
  > Benjamin,
  > Speaking from experience, the 'wideband' software 'tool'
  > will indeed allow the K3 to transmit outside of most bands
  > but operation on 27MHz is still recieve only even after the
  > usage of said software 'tool'.
  > 
  > Jeff Cochrane - VK4BOF
  > Innisfail, QLD, Australia
  > Elecraft K3# 4257

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