[Elecraft] [K3] K3 on 500 kHz

[Fred Jensen]

Wayne Burdick wrote:
> What I 
> meant was that you *could* make a transverter for these bands and 
> interface it to the K3 via KXV3 module. We don't have plans to offer one 
> ourselves.

I've had a Palomar VLF Converter for years, works really great, and 
better with my K3.  Converts [allegedly] DC to 500 KHz to 3.5 to 4.0 
MHz.  LORAN-C noise here on the US Pacific Coast is a bit of a problem, 
we're fairly close to Middletown CA which has a USCG LORAN station, but 
the loop will null most of it out.  Seems to work good down to about 12 
KHz, then things get mushy.  I think I've even heard the power line 
carrier current telemetry ... we have a 145KV line close to us and I 
know it carries it, we have hydroelectric plants above and below us and 
I can see the chokes in the substations.  That said, I haven't had the 
Palomar on for about a year, maybe I'll hook it up again and see what's 
there.  There was some word [maybe urban legends] that the CG was going 
to shut down LORAN-C in the face of GPS.  I've heard the West Coast 
500KHZ ham beacon several times, can't remember the call now.

I really can't see why Elecraft would want to delve into such a low 
volume market when there are a number of cheap alternatives already out 
there.  I'd rather they work on the solid-state amps :-)

As a High School senior at 16, I got to work ships at sea on 500Kcs from 
a coastal marine station as a relief operator.  The Holy Frequency is 
eerily silent these days compared to then, when it was a sort of 
world-wide party-line.  But, that was then and this is now.  LoFer is 
sort of fun for awhile, but I can't transmit there and the fun tends to 
fade after I've identified all the NDB's I can hear.

73 and a Good New Year to all,

Fred K6DGW
Auburn CA USA