[Elecraft] Interesting

[Eric NO3M]

K3 is ready now I thought... transmits 1mW out of the transverter port 
at 630M.  At least one of the experimental guys is doing so w/ the new 
synths.  Only an amplifier is needed, depending on how much power you 
want to put out or need to reach the EIRP limit.

Long antenna? Tower?  Not necessary.  The proposed power limit is 5W 
EIRP (or 1W EIRP in parts of AK if within 800km of Russia).  As such, 
you could in theory put up anything and adjust your transmitter output 
to reach the EIRP limit.  It levels the playing field for everyone, 
whether you have a 10 ft stick, 200ft top-loaded tower, or a phased 
array.  No one antenna *should* radiate any more power in a given 
direction if the EIRP restriction is followed correctly.  67ft 
top-loaded vertical + 75-100W output (~5-8W ERP) has gotten me QSOs all 
over the US, including CW to the west coast. Work on your RX antenna(s) 
before worrying about the TX antenna on LF/MF..... esp with an EIRP limit.

73 Eric NO3M
WG2XJM (Part 5 2200m + 630m)


On 04/28/2015 08:18 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
> On 4/28/2015 5:02 PM, Jim Lowman wrote:
>> I heard elsewhere that Elecraft is ready for 630m when the FCC gives
>> final approval.
>> I know that the K3 will receive on that band, but what will be needed to
>> be able to transmit there (other than a very long antenna)?
>
> Ummm ... don't know. Just because it receives very well down there 
> [with the KBPF3], TX may require some mods to the filters, HW or FW.  
> I'm pretty sure it will happen if the FCC ever acts.  My K3 receives 
> very well on 630 m.  Most antennas at 630 m are verticals, we will all 
> have to decide: a) how much can we afford in a tower; and b) what will 
> the HOA accept as "reasonable accommodation." :-)
>>
>> How about the 2200m band?  Is the K3 receiver sensitivity good enough,
>> that low in frequency?
>
> Wayne has already made it clear that MF/LF sensitivity falls off 
> steadily below 300 KHz.  I'm going to keep WSPR running on 137 KHZ for 
> awhile, but I'm not holding my breath.  Sensitivity seems to go down 
> as stated, noise here rises dramatically.  Honestly, I think expecting 
> a radio to work perfectly from 100 KHz to 50,000 KHz is like asking 
> the government to never make a misteak.
>
> 73,
>
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
> - www.cqp.org
>