[Elecraft] marine frequencies and k3

Wed Mar 23 11:31:54 EDT 2011

Ah, but the K3 does a stellar job with WL2K, even with 100W set up as
power out.  Sometimes a single transmission takes 6 or 7 seconds, and
there are lots of repeats (a typical HF email session is 2-3 minutes).
My understanding is that WL2K and Pactor modes are very similar in
terms of hard-driving the PA.  

I actually think one could run the K3 in the  high duty cycle range
like this, for long periods.  In MARS, we habitually run MT63 at
80-100W with no ill effects.  This is a very high duty cycle mode, and
a typical transmission lasts 4 to 5 minutes (if the broadcast is
wordy).  No problems with that either, at least in my case.

And the K3 protects itself anyway.  When I first started sending HF
traffic as a MARS member, I remember monitoring the PA TEMP closely to
see how much of a rise would occur.  There was a bit of a blip, but
the fans always came on and maintained the PA at < 48C.  Actually,
this is quite cool.

I think Johnny's comment about salt air and corrosion is spot on .
There was another gentleman that had his 8 MHz IF trap cooked by a
nearby marine band transmission.  There are clearly reasons not to
operate the K3 as a marine band radio, legal and technical, however
there are a number of maritime ops using the K3 in the ham bands, and
I've met some of them.  They keep the radio covered when not in use
(or in a cabinet), and generally care for it like they should.  Maybe
this is a more apt use case - ham ops versus marine radio?

matt W6NIA

On Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:12:10 +0800 (HKT), you wrote:

>Hello Gentleman,
>
>Perhaps, this may not be relevant.  Nowadays, HF email using PACTOR III is very 
>popular in marine time.  Most marine radio can stand for heavy duty cycle PACTOR 
>transmission.  However, ham gears are not designed for such a full duty cycle.
>
>So let the marine gears do the marine job.  When I use K3 for PACTOR III, I need 
>to low the power to say 30W.
> cheers, 
>
>
>Johnny VR2XMC 
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>???? Eugene Balinski <eugeneb at nni.com>
>???? George A. Thornton <gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com>; 
>Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>????? 2011/3/23 (?) 8:54:10 PM
>??? Re: [Elecraft] marine frequencies and k3
>
>George,
>
>  The ** best ** solution would be for her to get her ham
>license.  In that manner, she would be able to work the
>14300 Maritime Mobile Service Net as well as a number of
>other maritime nets throughout the world.  It will also
>give her access to other hams throughout the world.  This
>could save her life.  There are a number of weekend
>license courses that could help her along the way.  
>
>  I am sure that he HF radio and antenna coupler on her
>boat will cover the complete 3 - 22 MHz band and may go to
>30 MHz.  It may have to be keyboard/reset enabled.  That
>would give her easy operation. 
>
>  Also, please DO NOT suggest that she use a ham rig for
>her primary marine HF radio.  Most ham rigs are not set up
>for the rigors of marine operation and with the salt air
>and moisture, corrode very easliy.  Marine HF radio have
>the commericial frequencies with correct T/R split already
>in NV memories.  This is especially important for distress
>frequencies.  These are normally a 1 button push.
>
>  No it is not legal for you to communicate with her via
>HF on the marine band with out getting a commercial station
>license for you, and having a commercially certified radio
>at your station.  
>
>73
>K1NR
>
>
>
>
>
>On Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:07:39 -0700
>"George A. Thornton" <gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com>
>wrote:
>> I know someone who is about to embark on an around the
>> world sailboat
>> cruise.  She is not currently licensed on HAM frequencies
>> but is going
>> to have a marine operator license.  She is about to
>> acquire a marine SSB
>> radio.  Most of those radios are also capable of
>> operation on HAM
>> frequencies.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> I was trying to figure out if it was possible to legally
>> communicate
>> with her using my K3 from home.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Can the K3 be modified to permit transmission on marine
>> bands?
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> I want to emphasize that I am not looking for an
>> opportunity to use the
>> radio for any illegal purpose.  I am only interested in
>> operating on
>> marine frequencies for which I would have a valid
>> license.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Beyond this, it seems there is a potential marketing
>> opportunity for
>> Elecraft in the marine community.  Ocean sailors use SSB
>> and many of
>> them also end up getting a HAM license so they can also
>> use HAM
>> frequencies on voyages.  The Elecraft K2 and K3 are in
>> some ways ideal
>> for marine use because they are small and have relatively
>> low power
>> consumption.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> The stresses on a marine radio are huge and most of them
>> have been made
>> water  and shock resistant.  Also, marine radios require
>> extreme
>> simplicity of operation because they occasionally have to
>> be used by an
>> inexperienced operator during an emergency.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Maybe none of this makes practical sense.  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> Someone educate me, that is what this forum is about.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> de George AE7G
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>
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