[Elecraft] Combo pre-amp

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft eric at elecraft.com
Tue May 28 18:10:00 EDT 2013


We are close to releasing the PR6-10. (Same case as the PR-10.) 
Assembled  PCBs are in-house and we need to test them and release the 
manual. I'll post here when its ready for taking orders.

Eric
elecraft.com

On 5/26/2013 3:46 AM, Greg Wilson wrote:
> I hope Eric and Wayne are reading this one, Joe!
> 73, Greg-N4CC
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists at subich.com>
> To: "Gary Gregory" <vk1zzgary at gmail.com>
> Cc: "elecraft List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Combo pre-amp
>
>
>>
>> I don't know about that ... the incremental cost for the KXV3A
>> vs. KXV3 was minimal.  The firmware changes to support two more
>> control lines should be minimal.
>>
>> As far as an internal preamp - it should not be significantly more
>> complex than the PR6.  With switching on a "KVX3B", an internal
>> preamp would not need the bypass relays so they could be used for
>> band switching if needed.  However, if the user did not want a
>> 10/12 preamp, it would not be a stretch to use the existing PR6
>> internally for six meters only.
>>
>> One would think it relatively straightforward to switch two input
>> tuning/matching networks in a PR6 style preamp or an alternate,
>> broadband design could be used to completely avoid the need for
>> band switching.   With a little care in the design and programming,
>> a higher gain/lower nf preamp could be substituted (electronically)
>> for the standard preamp or the controls could be arranged to cycle
>> through "none"/"norm"/"opt".
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>    ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>> On 5/25/2013 10:48 PM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>>> Ah Joe,
>>>
>>> Thankyou for resurrecting my thought that it IS possible. The issue 
>>> will
>>> most likely be a lack of quantity that would be sold versus the cost to
>>> manufacture,
>>>
>>> I will live in hope...:-)
>>>
>>> thanks for the info Joe, much appreciated.
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Gary
>>>
>>> On 26 May 2013 12:45, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> let's not let that technical inconvenience reduce in any
>>>>> way my hope for a cure to my sometimes demented desires....:-)
>>>>
>>>> I'm not saying it isn't possible ... takes one additional relay
>>>> and two connectors.  There are even couple unused control lines
>>>> on the KXV3A that could be used to control the added relay and
>>>> switch bands (10/12 and 6 M) if necessary.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>>
>>>>     ... Joe, W4TV
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 5/25/2013 10:13 PM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Joe,
>>>>>
>>>>> Gee...Shhhhh....let's not let that technical inconvenience reduce 
>>>>> in any
>>>>> way my hope for a cure to my sometimes demented desires....:-)
>>>>>
>>>>> Of course you are quite correct Joe. Point taken mate.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73
>>>>>
>>>>> Gary
>>>>>
>>>>> On 26 May 2013 12:06, Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>    So, I will continue to want an internal pre-amp and it does 
>>>>>> not need
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> to be for 6M as I don't operate there either. This is MY choice and
>>>>>>> does not  hold sway with the masses but it is my choice after all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I agree that an internal preamp (or premps) would be ideal.  
>>>>>> However,
>>>>>> in addition to the preamp(s) Elecraft would need to provide 
>>>>>> *another*
>>>>>> design for the KXV3A - one that switches the RX ANT IN/OUT 
>>>>>> connections
>>>>>> to internal jacks - as neither the original KXV3 or current KXV3A 
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> that capability.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>      ... Joe, W4TV
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 5/25/2013 9:24 PM, Gary Gregory wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   I don't wish to flog a dead horse any further, however, choice is
>>>>>>> something
>>>>>>> it seems everyone on this list is after.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So what if a K3 needs to NOT have a 2M transverter to fit a combo
>>>>>>> pre-amp?....there are many K3's in the world not fitted with 2M. 
>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>> is a
>>>>>>> choice made by the original owner I guess which is what it is, a
>>>>>>> choice. I
>>>>>>> fully appreciate everyone's point of view, but I would hazard a 
>>>>>>> guess I
>>>>>>> am
>>>>>>> not alone in wanting an internal unit as a CHOICE, not at the 
>>>>>>> expense of
>>>>>>> taking away other folks right to choose.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Wayne has stated Elecraft's case and that is there is not enough 
>>>>>>> room
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>> his statement is qualified by the mention of the 2M option which 
>>>>>>> is a
>>>>>>> customer choice right?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So, I will continue to want an internal pre-amp and it does not 
>>>>>>> need to
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> for 6M as I don't operate there either. This is MY choice and 
>>>>>>> does not
>>>>>>> hold
>>>>>>> sway with the masses but it is my choice after all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You mention remote install, fine, but again it is still another 
>>>>>>> cable
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> still yet another box to cart around. Setup on a table (standard 
>>>>>>> picnic
>>>>>>> size) the depth of the table means you need to have the K-Line 
>>>>>>> right on
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> rear edge and the 6M pre-amp protrudes far enough back that if 
>>>>>>> you are
>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>> against a barrier of some sort, the cables push the K-Line 
>>>>>>> forward and
>>>>>>> reduce the work space area such that little room is left to 
>>>>>>> operate in a
>>>>>>> comfortable manner.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I could pontificate forever on the drawbacks when operating 
>>>>>>> portable
>>>>>>> but I
>>>>>>> am probably not a member of the right choir.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Maybe an OEM will come up with a 'plug-in' internal 10M pre-amp 
>>>>>>> designed
>>>>>>> for a K3.....now that would solve everything for me and I 
>>>>>>> wouldn't have
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> plead my case....:-)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It's all about choice folks!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 73
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Gary
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 26 May 2013 10:32, Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org> 
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>    The original poster mentioned "those of us who operate 
>>>>>>> portable".
>>>>>>> Running
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> cables to the next room does not make that any simpler.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> wunder
>>>>>>>> K6WRU
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On May 25, 2013, at 5:13 PM, Dr. William J. Schmidt, II wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>    This sounds like a lack of creative thinking. How about 
>>>>>>>> using two 90
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   degree
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   BNC elbows on the back of the radio and a couple of BNC 
>>>>>>>> jumpers. You
>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>> put the preamp anywhere... even in the next room is that is your
>>>>>>>>> fancy.
>>>>>>>>> Also, you might try one of the 50+ preamps that are already 
>>>>>>>>> available
>>>>>>>>> by
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   a
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   variety of companies with ultra-low noise figures.  I'm not 
>>>>>>>> sure I
>>>>>>>>> need
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> preamp to take up the space of my existing 2 meter module.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Owner - Operator
>>>>>>>>> Big Signal Ranch
>>>>>>>>> Staunton, Illinois
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> email:  bill at wjschmidt.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>> From: 
>>>>>>>>> elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.****net<elecraft-bounces at mailman.*
>>>>>>>>> *qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net>>
>>>>>>>>> [mailto:elecraft-bounces@**mai**lman.qth.net 
>>>>>>>>> <http://mailman.qth.net>
>>>>>>>>> <elecraft-bounces@**mailman.qth.net<elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ]
>>>>>>>>> On Behalf Of Jeff Cochrane
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 7:03 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Combo pre-amp
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Agreed Gary,
>>>>>>>>> I too would be interested in an internal 10M pre-amp (or an 
>>>>>>>>> internal
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   combo
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   6-10M pre-amp).
>>>>>>>>> I already have the PR6 but like you say it (in stock form) 
>>>>>>>>> protrudes
>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   far
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   out behind the rig that it almost impossible to use for 
>>>>>>>> portable work.
>>>>>>>>> Mounting it internally is the way to go and I reckon a combo 
>>>>>>>>> pre-amp
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   would
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   sit nicely where the internal 2M transverter normally goes.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Gary Gregory-2 wrote
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   Well I do hope there will be a version for 10M perhaps that 
>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>> install
>>>>>>>>>> within the K3. Much as it would be nice to have I am not 
>>>>>>>>>> going to buy
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>   more
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   boxes needing to be plugged in, cabled or whatever.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Whilst I understand some folks have space available and can 
>>>>>>>>>> wire in
>>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>>> many
>>>>>>>>>> boxes as are available, those of us who operate portable tire 
>>>>>>>>>> very
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>   quickly
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   of sorting cables, boxes and the resultant tangled leads.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I guess I will have to wait and see what is produced but another
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>   external
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>   box such as the 6M pre-amp which protrudes too far and can 
>>>>>>>> easily be
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> knocked around is a non starter for me no matter that I could 
>>>>>>>>>> use it,
>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>> what it is, a box too far.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Gary
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>>>> *Gary - VK1ZZ
>>>>>>>>>> Skype: Gary.VK1ZZ
>>>>>>>>>> Motorhome Portable
>>>>>>>>>> The Shack*
>>>>>>>>>> *Elecraft K3
>>>>>>>>>> P3 Panadapter
>>>>>>>>>> KPA500FT
>>>>>>>>>> KAT500FT**
>>>>>>>>>> KX3-K
>>>>>>>>>> *
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>>>>>>>>>> __**__
>>>>>>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Post: mailto:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>    Elecraft at .qth
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>   This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----
>>>>>>>>> Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA
>>>>>>>>> East Innisfail
>>>>>>>>> Queensland
>>>>>>>>> Australia
>>>>>>>>> K3 #4767
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>>> View this message in context:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> http://elecraft.365791.n2.**na**bble.com/Combo-pre-amp-**<http://nabble.com/Combo-pre-amp-**> 
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> tp7573740p7574221.html<http://**elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/**
>>>>>>>> Combo-pre-amp-**tp7573740p7574221.html<http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Combo-pre-amp-tp7573740p7574221.html> 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.****net 
>>>>>>>>> <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>> Walter Underwood
>>>>>>>> wunder at wunderwood.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ______________________________****____________________________**__**__ 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
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