From paul at teulu.org Thu Jul 1 06:17:56 2021 From: paul at teulu.org (Paul Jewell) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 11:17:56 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] KXUSB In-Reply-To: <6903dcd9-56a7-207c-a7b0-dfcfa3906145@teulu.org> References: <6903dcd9-56a7-207c-a7b0-dfcfa3906145@teulu.org> Message-ID: <013a55b2-cc69-dda2-fd08-2cc8e34aed3c@teulu.org> Good morning all, Thanks to help from Jon (ea2sn), this problem is resolved. Elecraft use inverted signals for the RS232 connection, so I re-configured the ftdi device using the ft_prog utility (under windows), and then the connection worked as expected. Thanks for all your comments! Best regards, Paul On 30/06/2021 21:14, Paul Jewell wrote: > Good evening, > > I am trying to find a wiring layout for the kxusb cable. I have the > wiring diagram for the kxser cable (from the amp manual), and have > tried using an FTDI adaptor with this layout. Unfortunately the > software reports that the KX3 is not responding. > > Have any of you gone down this route, and achieved a successful > outcome? I have ordered a new cable, but it won't be here for a few > days, and this should be a solvable problem with the spares I have in > my shack! > > Many thanks! > Paul > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul at teulu.org From forums at david-woolley.me.uk Thu Jul 1 06:50:21 2021 From: forums at david-woolley.me.uk (David Woolley) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 11:50:21 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <90BF5D82-D628-41EB-95BC-35DAD74891C1@me.com> References: <5ce37149-b228-71ce-a947-5bd3dfda3875@nk7z.net> <90BF5D82-D628-41EB-95BC-35DAD74891C1@me.com> Message-ID: <94879b93-2b01-8020-94c0-931e6880ce4e@david-woolley.me.uk> I don't think this design would be acceptable in modern consumer equipment, at least not in Europe. Typically they would have an auxiliary power supply for the microcontroller, to reduce power consumption to well under 1 watt, and maintain a reasonably good power factor, when in a soft power off state. Current and voltage figures quoted elsewhere in the thread suggest over 10 watts and an unknown number of VA. There was a lot of campaigning to hard power off devices at a time when standby powers were more like 5 watts. On 01/07/2021 00:09, Jack Brindle wrote: > It is powered by the 5V linear regulator, which is providing the heat you feel, along with the +12V and -12V regulators (also linear). I seem to recall that the input to the regulator is something like +15 or +18V, which gets regulated down to the three supplies that are used for running the microcontroller the RS-232 interfaces and the LCD. The LCD is disabled when front-power is off. From wabernat at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 08:01:38 2021 From: wabernat at gmail.com (William Abernathy) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 08:01:38 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hal, Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day 73 William Abernathy > On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: > > ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. > > This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. > > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >> >> Hi, >> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >> to be subtracted from the primary. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Wiliam >> >> -- >> *William Abernathy* >> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >> *AA8XX* >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com > From M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk Thu Jul 1 08:54:41 2021 From: M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk (David Ferrington, M0XDF) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:54:41 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Case-maker Rose's OM K0PP, SK In-Reply-To: <654B22B3-684B-4A2D-80D4-34922331FE0B@wc3t.us> References: <654B22B3-684B-4A2D-80D4-34922331FE0B@wc3t.us> Message-ID: <46802BEA-0239-4CC0-B332-4521C70F99D8@Alphadene.co.uk> So sad to hear this, I have a number of cases from her and she was such a lovely person, as is her husband Ken. :-( 73 de David, M0XDF (K3 #174, P3 #108) > On 1 Jul 2021, at 03:13, Rich WC3T wrote: > > Condolences to the family. > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 22:09, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote: >> >> ?Retired case-maker Rose, N7HKW, and her OM Ken, K0PP, seemed like part of >> the Elecraft family for so many years. >> >> https://buttefuneralhome.com/obituaries/kenneth-glenn-kopp-age-83-of-anaconda-montana/?fbclid=IwAR2OvmrovnqFtcmHs2oMmg-lS8c3_YN27SilgKHGdpDz82MQpr5Lzq9d-VE >> >> Condolences to Rose and her family. >> >> Photo of the couple from the 2012 Visalia DX Convention available here >> >> : >> >> 73, >> Bob, N6TV >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to rich at wc3t.us > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to m0xdf at alphadene.co.uk From jerry at tr2.com Thu Jul 1 09:15:22 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:15:22 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Confirmed In-Reply-To: <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> References: <14b856b8dd978f9be114c4889f5ccaa6@tr2.com> <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> Message-ID: <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> All, So the K2 yielded up its first sideband QSO this evening. 10M roundtable of the local ham club. People gave me good reports. The next step is to organize up some power. The KPA100 is a mighty elegant package, but I'm having trouble getting my head around the price tag. An alternative might be one of those Chinese amp kits off Ebay. I actually have one in hand. It requires a bit of redesign to work well. Mostly, going to a bifilar-transformer power feed and verifying/optimizing the input and output turns ratios. And providing a proper switched LPF. - Jerry KF6VB On 2021-06-30 19:54, Bill Coleman wrote: > The K2SB was absolutely the hardest kit to build out of the entire K2. > There are a lot of parts, and it is a very small board. > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:06 PM, jerry wrote: >> >> So I got up at 5:30 this morning and continued stuffing the SSB >> adapter card. Finished it up this afternoon. >> >> Trying it out, the CPU came up... CW still worked... But no SSB >> transmit, and the SSB receive was very very soft. Had to turn the AF >> gain up all the way to hear >> anything at all. >> >> My untutored diagnosis - something was wrong with that 7-crystal SSB >> filter. >> >> So I pulled the card out, scrubbed it again with IPA, stuck it under >> the microscope to look - again - for solder splashes and cold joints. >> Scraped off a little something here & there. Also, I had doubts >> about the connections to the input & output transformers. So I hit >> those again with the soldering iron. >> >> Put the card back in the K2 - and ...Wow! Lively SSB receive! RF out >> on transmit! >> >> Still need to align the rig. Piping the output into another ham rig >> through a big attenuator - it sounds pretty good. One niggle - >> carrier suppression. If it's nulled out for LSB, it's not for USB. >> The nulls are in different places on the pot. I guess you set a >> compromise position, and make sure the carrier is off the skirts of >> the filter, so that can help. >> >> - Jerry KF6VB >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net > Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk Thu Jul 1 09:41:41 2021 From: M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk (David Ferrington, M0XDF) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 14:41:41 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Case-maker Rose's OM K0PP, SK In-Reply-To: <80623033-0570-9297-7333-fe7609696a6e@comcast.net> References: <654B22B3-684B-4A2D-80D4-34922331FE0B@wc3t.us> <46802BEA-0239-4CC0-B332-4521C70F99D8@Alphadene.co.uk> <80623033-0570-9297-7333-fe7609696a6e@comcast.net> Message-ID: Yes, spotted that after I?d sent it, misunderstood. Same sentiments from me. -73 de David, M0XDF > On 1 Jul 2021, at 14:37, Augie Gus Hansen wrote: > > > >> So sad to hear this, I have a number of cases from her and she was such a lovely person, as is her husband Ken. >> > > Read the subject line more carefully. Ken died, a big loss to the Elecraft community. I'm thankful, as are many others, that Rose lives on. > > Gus Hansen > KB0YH > From frantz at pwpconsult.com Thu Jul 1 11:07:45 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 11:07:45 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Case-maker Rose's OM K0PP, SK In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Let me add my message of condolence to Rose. I have one of her cases and it is a gem. I hope she will be able to continue making them in the future. I didn't know Ken well. My log doesn't show his call. I think the only time I met him was at the 2012 Visalia DX Convention that N6TV photographed*. I just read through his posts to the Elecraft list in my archive and recognize the large amount of old radio lore and wisdom he contributed over the years. 73 Bill AE6JV * N6TV's photo: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | When it comes to the world | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | around us, is there any choice | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | but to explore? - Lisa Randall | Peterborough, NH 03458 From jerry at tr2.com Thu Jul 1 11:08:16 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 08:08:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: On 2021-07-01 05:01, William Abernathy wrote: > Hal, > Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. > *** There is another book, available free over the Internet. It's a detailed presentation of Signal Processing for engineers - and it keeps the advanced math to a minimum. "The Scientist and Engineers Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. Smith. "The goal is to present practical techniques while avoiding the barriers of detailed mathematics and abstract theory." - Jerry KF6VB From w0mu at w0mu.com Thu Jul 1 11:47:16 2021 From: w0mu at w0mu.com (W0MU Mike Fatchett) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 09:47:16 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Case-maker Rose's OM K0PP, SK In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sad news. RIP Ken.? Thoughts and prayers to the family.? I have a bunch of Rose's fine covers. W0MU On 6/30/2021 8:07 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote: > Retired case-maker Rose, N7HKW, and her OM Ken, K0PP, seemed like part of > the Elecraft family for so many years. > > https://buttefuneralhome.com/obituaries/kenneth-glenn-kopp-age-83-of-anaconda-montana/?fbclid=IwAR2OvmrovnqFtcmHs2oMmg-lS8c3_YN27SilgKHGdpDz82MQpr5Lzq9d-VE > > Condolences to Rose and her family. > > Photo of the couple from the 2012 Visalia DX Convention available here > > : > > 73, > Bob, N6TV > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w0mu at w0mu.com From haljr.massey at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 11:54:21 2021 From: haljr.massey at gmail.com (Hal Massey) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 09:54:21 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <94879b93-2b01-8020-94c0-931e6880ce4e@david-woolley.me.uk> References: <5ce37149-b228-71ce-a947-5bd3dfda3875@nk7z.net> <90BF5D82-D628-41EB-95BC-35DAD74891C1@me.com> <94879b93-2b01-8020-94c0-931e6880ce4e@david-woolley.me.uk> Message-ID: <44376D91-6CEF-4F66-8346-FA1A45C891AB@gmail.com> Maybe so. But this is an old design. > On Jul 1, 2021, at 04:50, David Woolley wrote: > > I don't think this design would be acceptable in modern consumer equipment, at least not in Europe. Typically they would have an auxiliary power supply for the microcontroller, to reduce power consumption to well under 1 watt, and maintain a reasonably good power factor, when in a soft power off state. > > Current and voltage figures quoted elsewhere in the thread suggest over 10 watts and an unknown number of VA. There was a lot of campaigning to hard power off devices at a time when standby powers were more like 5 watts. > > On 01/07/2021 00:09, Jack Brindle wrote: > >> It is powered by the 5V linear regulator, which is providing the heat you feel, along with the +12V and -12V regulators (also linear). I seem to recall that the input to the regulator is something like +15 or +18V, which gets regulated down to the three supplies that are used for running the microcontroller the RS-232 interfaces and the LCD. The LCD is disabled when front-power is off. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com From haljr.massey at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 12:01:20 2021 From: haljr.massey at gmail.com (Hal Massey) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:01:20 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: You are welcome. There are some websites you can go to. They let you build your own digital filters and see what they are like. Meaning you can listen to what you build ton your computer speakers! They have things like digital audio generators so you can run test signals through your digital filter. You can push a 1,000 Hertz sine wave thru your filter and listen to the result, for example. They also have common filters pre-built that you can play with. When I say prebuilt I mean all the usual ham filters like low pass, high pass, bandpass, etc. These sites are a lot of fun if you want to learn and play around a bit at the same time. Also, YouTube has some great material at the introductory level these days. 73 -Hal > On Jul 1, 2021, at 06:01, William Abernathy wrote: > > Hal, > Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. > > I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day > > 73 > > William Abernathy > > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >> >> ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. >> >> This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. >> >> >>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy > wrote: >>> >>> Hi, >>> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >>> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >>> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >>> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >>> to be subtracted from the primary. >>> >>> What do you think? >>> >>> Wiliam >>> >>> -- >>> *William Abernathy* >>> *AA8XX at arrl.net >* >>> *AA8XX* >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >> From radiok4ia at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 12:19:06 2021 From: radiok4ia at gmail.com (Buck) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:19:06 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <44376D91-6CEF-4F66-8346-FA1A45C891AB@gmail.com> References: <5ce37149-b228-71ce-a947-5bd3dfda3875@nk7z.net> <90BF5D82-D628-41EB-95BC-35DAD74891C1@me.com> <94879b93-2b01-8020-94c0-931e6880ce4e@david-woolley.me.uk> <44376D91-6CEF-4F66-8346-FA1A45C891AB@gmail.com> Message-ID: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> Another interesting side note - the 12 volt rail in the K3 is "ON" all the time, even when the K3 is turned off. I found that out when one of the finals developed a partial short and the radio was drawing 2 amps when turned "OFF." If you are not using equipment, find a way to disconnect the power or turn off the power supply. Buck, k4ia Honor Roll 8BDXCC EasyWayHamBooks.com On 7/1/2021 11:54 AM, Hal Massey wrote: > Maybe so. But this is an old design. > >> On Jul 1, 2021, at 04:50, David Woolley wrote: >> >> I don't think this design would be acceptable in modern consumer equipment, at least not in Europe. Typically they would have an auxiliary power supply for the microcontroller, to reduce power consumption to well under 1 watt, and maintain a reasonably good power factor, when in a soft power off state. >> >> Current and voltage figures quoted elsewhere in the thread suggest over 10 watts and an unknown number of VA. There was a lot of campaigning to hard power off devices at a time when standby powers were more like 5 watts. >> >> On 01/07/2021 00:09, Jack Brindle wrote: >> >>> It is powered by the 5V linear regulator, which is providing the heat you feel, along with the +12V and -12V regulators (also linear). I seem to recall that the input to the regulator is something like +15 or +18V, which gets regulated down to the three supplies that are used for running the microcontroller the RS-232 interfaces and the LCD. The LCD is disabled when front-power is off. >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radiok4ia at gmail.com > From ed.n3cw at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 12:33:44 2021 From: ed.n3cw at gmail.com (Ed G) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:33:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] WTB: Short Flip-Down Stand for K2 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <60ddee68.1c69fb81.2766b.1547@mx.google.com> Hello, I am looking for one of the shorter-than-stock flip down K2 stands (bails). It mounts on the two front feet of the K2, and is about an inch shorter than the original stock bail. Appreciate any leads or info; thanks. --Ed, N3CW? -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus From ua9cdc at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 12:55:42 2021 From: ua9cdc at gmail.com (Igor Sokolov) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 21:55:42 +0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Case-maker Rose's OM K0PP, SK In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Rose's cases can be found all over the world. I have one for my K3 Condolences and sympathy to Rose and family. 73, Igor UA9CDC 01.07.2021 7:07, Bob Wilson, N6TV ?????: > Retired case-maker Rose, N7HKW, and her OM Ken, K0PP, seemed like part of > the Elecraft family for so many years. > > https://buttefuneralhome.com/obituaries/kenneth-glenn-kopp-age-83-of-anaconda-montana/?fbclid=IwAR2OvmrovnqFtcmHs2oMmg-lS8c3_YN27SilgKHGdpDz82MQpr5Lzq9d-VE > > Condolences to Rose and her family. > > Photo of the couple from the 2012 Visalia DX Convention available here > > : > > 73, > Bob, N6TV > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ua9cdc at gmail.com > . From macymonkeys at charter.net Thu Jul 1 13:00:27 2021 From: macymonkeys at charter.net (John Nicholson) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:27 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> References: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> Message-ID: Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into the strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of the amp is inconvenient to reach in my shack. John K7FD > On Jul 1, 2021, at 9:21 AM, Buck wrote: > > ?Another interesting side note - the 12 volt rail in the K3 is "ON" all the time, even when the K3 is turned off. I found that out when one of the finals developed a partial short and the radio was drawing 2 amps when turned "OFF." > > If you are not using equipment, find a way to disconnect the power or turn off the power supply. > > Buck, k4ia > Honor Roll > 8BDXCC > EasyWayHamBooks.com > >> On 7/1/2021 11:54 AM, Hal Massey wrote: >> Maybe so. But this is an old design. >>>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 04:50, David Woolley wrote: >>> >>> I don't think this design would be acceptable in modern consumer equipment, at least not in Europe. Typically they would have an auxiliary power supply for the microcontroller, to reduce power consumption to well under 1 watt, and maintain a reasonably good power factor, when in a soft power off state. >>> >>> Current and voltage figures quoted elsewhere in the thread suggest over 10 watts and an unknown number of VA. There was a lot of campaigning to hard power off devices at a time when standby powers were more like 5 watts. >>> >>>> On 01/07/2021 00:09, Jack Brindle wrote: >>> >>>> It is powered by the 5V linear regulator, which is providing the heat you feel, along with the +12V and -12V regulators (also linear). I seem to recall that the input to the regulator is something like +15 or +18V, which gets regulated down to the three supplies that are used for running the microcontroller the RS-232 interfaces and the LCD. The LCD is disabled when front-power is off. >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to radiok4ia at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to macymonkeys at charter.net From alorona at sbcglobal.net Thu Jul 1 13:09:06 2021 From: alorona at sbcglobal.net (Al Lorona) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 17:09:06 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? Al? W6LX/4 From wunder at wunderwood.org Thu Jul 1 13:14:16 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:14:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: <721995A5-14A9-4CCF-805F-EEE9420F8B63@wunderwood.org> Here is the URL for that book: http://www.dspguide.com wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 1, 2021, at 8:08 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2021-07-01 05:01, William Abernathy wrote: >> Hal, >> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. > *** There is another book, available free over the Internet. It's a detailed presentation of Signal Processing for engineers - and it keeps the advanced > math to a minimum. > > "The Scientist and Engineers Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. Smith. > > "The goal is to present practical techniques while avoiding the barriers of > detailed mathematics and abstract theory." > > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From dennis at mail4life.net Thu Jul 1 13:27:29 2021 From: dennis at mail4life.net (Dennis Moore) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:27:29 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I could see the usefulness of this in initial design/installation/adjustment of the physical components, but once your antennas are static what would be the point, except to monitor if something is starting to go amiss? Dennis NJ6G On 7/1/2021 10:09, Al Lorona wrote: > The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). > > To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. > > Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? > > Al? W6LX/4 From bill at wjschmidt.com Thu Jul 1 13:37:18 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:37:18 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <03ee01d76e9f$bddbe800$3993b800$@wjschmidt.com> There are tuners that already do this. The old RF-601 military tuner uses phase and magnitude data to resolve the transform between the transmitter and the antenna. While it was before LCD displays, its easily adaptable. In fact every tuner I've ever built (save novice days) has used this principle. Its much easier to understand what the tuner is doing if you think in transform (Smith-chart) space. Starting with the transform solution means also means you don't need to use the "hunt"/ "branch and bound" types of binary searches to find the tuners transform solution. It?s a DUH if you think about it. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ email: bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Al Lorona Sent: Thursday, July 1, 2021 12:09 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? Al W6LX/4 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Thu Jul 1 13:49:08 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:49:08 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Unless you have a AC power management strip which is controlled remotely, then shutting down the station can be done by several means.? There is the remote capability to turn off or shut down the transceiver.? Likewise for the KPA500, there is remote capability to turn it off or shut it down.? However, that only shuts down the control system and not the power supply.? Likewise, your transceiver.?? Does the power supply stay on all of the time and you only shut down the transceiver???? Again, it depends on how you are controlling your remote system and its power distribution. As to shutting down the Elecraft equipment.? Perhaps for some degree of lightning protection or power surge protection exists where shutting down is defined as adequate.? But what about antennas and other equipment and the station grounding system. How are those systems handled. To me for remote operation which I have, there is means to shut down each piece of equipment correctly and then a means to shut down the AC power to the remote station.? I don't bother to disconnect antennas.? And this leaves the station equipment at some value of risk. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/1/2021 11:19 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 00:37:49 +0000 > From: Tim C > To:"Elecraft at mailman.qth.net" > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > I've read this whole thread and I'm confused. I control my KPA500 and KAT500 remotely. When shutting down my station is shutting down the Elecraft equipment adequate remotely? > > Thanks ES 73 DE TIM WB8HRO From garnere at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 13:58:05 2021 From: garnere at gmail.com (Eric Garner) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:58:05 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <03ee01d76e9f$bddbe800$3993b800$@wjschmidt.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> <03ee01d76e9f$bddbe800$3993b800$@wjschmidt.com> Message-ID: Why is it a "DUH"? Does it find a better tuning solution than a binary search? If so, how much better and how much would it matter if it did? Adding a VNA into a tuner adds component cost, placement cost, board area cost, engineering cost, additional manufacturing cost to test and find cal coefficients, etc. If you are building your own tuner, go nuts, but unless you think you need to do that to differentiate yourself somehow from competitors I don't see much benefit of doing it commercially. Eric KI7LTT On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 10:38 AM Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote: > There are tuners that already do this. The old RF-601 military tuner uses > phase and magnitude data to resolve the transform between the transmitter > and the antenna. While it was before LCD displays, its easily adaptable. > In fact every tuner I've ever built (save novice days) has used this > principle. Its much easier to understand what the tuner is doing if you > think in transform (Smith-chart) space. Starting with the transform > solution means also means you don't need to use the "hunt"/ "branch and > bound" types of binary searches to find the tuners transform solution. > It?s a DUH if you think about it. > > > Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ > > email: bill at wjschmidt.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net > On Behalf Of Al Lorona > Sent: Thursday, July 1, 2021 12:09 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 > > The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made > me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic > antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel > display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune > the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the > Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the > factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life > of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the > cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). > > To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the > measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular > graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the > information presented to the user. > > Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the > KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? > > Al W6LX/4 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com > > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > https://www.avg.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to garnere at gmail.com -- --Eric _________________________________________ Eric Garner From jerry at tr2.com Thu Jul 1 14:25:32 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:25:32 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW Crystals In-Reply-To: References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <56b703155b0ca1bdb21b4afbf8ddccbf@tr2.com> Hello All, I just received the set of upgraded crystals for the K2 CW filter. No instructions in the box. I seem to remember something about it in the downloadable stuff at Elecraft, but no joy this time. Can't find it. Is it just so trivial that no instructions are needed? "Unsolder the old ones, and solder in the new ones the same way"? - Jerry KF6VB From wa2lbi at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 14:25:41 2021 From: wa2lbi at gmail.com (Ken Winterling) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 14:25:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> Message-ID: John, You could build a 220/240V outlet with a remote switch using a couple electrical boxes. Ken WA2LBI On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 1:01 PM John Nicholson wrote: > Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My > searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into the > strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of the amp is > inconvenient to reach in my shack. > > John K7FD > > From don at w3fpr.com Thu Jul 1 14:47:03 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 14:47:03 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW Crystals In-Reply-To: <56b703155b0ca1bdb21b4afbf8ddccbf@tr2.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> <56b703155b0ca1bdb21b4afbf8ddccbf@tr2.com> Message-ID: <81aebfc4-639f-87d4-3f6a-0f53411443d4@w3fpr.com> Jerry, It is almost that simple.? Unsolder the old X5 thru X11 and put the new ones in.? For best results, solder ground wires on both sides of the crystal can near the bottom of the crystals.? That is quite possible because there are grounding holes on both sides of crystals X7 thru X11 - for X5 and X6 you will have to settle for a single grounding wire on each, but it should be near the bottom. The K2ATOB instructions call for soldering on both sides of the crystals near the bottom, but it does not contain any instructions about changing the crystals. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/1/2021 2:25 PM, jerry wrote: > Hello All, > > ?? I just received the set of upgraded crystals for the K2 CW filter.? > No instructions > in the box.? I seem to remember something about it in the downloadable > stuff at Elecraft, but no joy this time.? Can't find it. > > ?? Is it just so trivial that no instructions are needed? "Unsolder > the old ones, and solder in the new ones the same way"? > > ???????????????????????????? - Jerry KF6VB > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com From gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com Thu Jul 1 15:09:09 2021 From: gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com (George Thornton) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 19:09:09 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> Message-ID: Check electrical codes. I don't believe a power strip for 220 is legal under the electrical code. Too much power. Concur that you can build an on/off switch to control the outlet. -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Ken Winterling Sent: Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:26 AM To: John Nicholson Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? John, You could build a 220/240V outlet with a remote switch using a couple electrical boxes. Ken WA2LBI On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 1:01 PM John Nicholson wrote: > Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My > searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into > the strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of > the amp is inconvenient to reach in my shack. > > John K7FD > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com From garnere at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 15:35:16 2021 From: garnere at gmail.com (Eric Garner) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:35:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: <937cbd07-6130-fcae-a771-fed8031f96df@Gmail.com> Message-ID: 220V PDUs (fancy outlet strips) are common in data centers. They even make them with remote monitoring and metering. CyberPower is a popular brand https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/pdu/ Eric KI7LTT On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 12:10 PM George Thornton < gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com> wrote: > Check electrical codes. I don't believe a power strip for 220 is legal > under the electrical code. Too much power. > > Concur that you can build an on/off switch to control the outlet. > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net > On Behalf Of Ken Winterling > Sent: Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:26 AM > To: John Nicholson > Cc: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? > > John, > > You could build a 220/240V outlet with a remote switch using a couple > electrical boxes. > > Ken > WA2LBI > > > > > > On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 1:01 PM John Nicholson > wrote: > > > Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My > > searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into > > the strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of > > the amp is inconvenient to reach in my shack. > > > > John K7FD > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to gthornton at thorntonmostullaw.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to garnere at gmail.com > -- --Eric _________________________________________ Eric Garner From josh at voodoolab.com Thu Jul 1 15:39:28 2021 From: josh at voodoolab.com (Josh Fiden) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 12:39:28 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <740B7D7A-87D4-4076-ABF3-6ED5BFC2DF3B@voodoolab.com> I believe that?s how the Alpha 4040 tuner was supposed to work. As far as I?m aware, this project was dropped when Alpha was sold a few years ago. https://www.alpharfsystems.com/?p=1494 Too bad, it was a neat idea. 73 Josh W6XU Sent from my iPad > On Jul 1, 2021, at 10:10 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > > ?The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). > > To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. > From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Thu Jul 1 16:06:07 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:06:07 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On 7/1/2021 10:09 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number N8LP's LP100A measures and and can display complex impedance of the line at the point of insertion. As I recall, it's specified accuracy is 5% of the measured value. Last I heard, they were in use by Elecraft in final test. Every sensor is calibrated by Larry to the electronics sold with it. I've been using one in my station for at least five years. 73, Jim K9YC From vfo77 at inkbox.net Thu Jul 1 16:09:40 2021 From: vfo77 at inkbox.net (Frank O'Donnell) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:09:40 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger Message-ID: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider buying this. Thanks for any thoughts, Frank K6FOD From QRP5W at roadrunner.com Thu Jul 1 16:17:37 2021 From: QRP5W at roadrunner.com (QRP5W at roadrunner.com) Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 20:17:37 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger Message-ID: Hi Frank, I operate, or at least listen quite a bit with my KX3 outdoors even if it's just out in the back yard. I find the charger to be indispensable. I use the ubiquitous Radio Shack 3A P.S. and Eneloop batteries and don't know how I would manage with this setup. Yes, the clock is not very accurate but I barely use that feature. I say go for the charger! 72 Howard Kraus, K2UD -----------------------------------------From: "Frank O'Donnell" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Cc: Sent: Thursday July 1 2021 4:10:56PM Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider buying this. Thanks for any thoughts, Frank K6FOD ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft /> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm /> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net [1] Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html /> Message delivered to qrp5w at roadrunner.com Links: ------ [1] http://www.qsl.net From evert at pa2kw.com Thu Jul 1 16:21:21 2021 From: evert at pa2kw.com (evert at pa2kw.com) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 22:21:21 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <00b401d76eb6$a85847a0$f908d6e0$@pa2kw.com> Alpha was "close" to making this device : https://www.alpharfsystems.com/?p=1494 Unfortunately it is a dream until this moment. 73's Evert PA2KW -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Al Lorona Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2021 19:09 To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? Al W6LX/4 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to evert at pa2kw.com From julia at juliatuttle.net Thu Jul 1 16:23:04 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:23:04 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I wouldn't use it for *serious* battery operation -- lithium ion batteries are just so much better -- but I do find it convenient for around the house or in the backyard or so I can unplug the mains power to see if it's the source of some noise. On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 16:18 wrote: > Hi Frank, > > I operate, or at least listen quite a bit with my KX3 outdoors even if > it's just out in the back yard. I find the charger to be > indispensable. I use the ubiquitous Radio Shack 3A P.S. and Eneloop > batteries and don't know how I would manage with this setup. > > Yes, the clock is not very accurate but I barely use that feature. > > I say go for the charger! > 72 > Howard Kraus, K2UD > > -----------------------------------------From: "Frank O'Donnell" > To: "Elecraft Reflector" > Cc: > Sent: Thursday July 1 2021 4:10:56PM > Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger > > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the > available > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. > > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise > with > a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack > situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a > KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves > based > on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the > internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the > real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider > buying this. > > Thanks for any thoughts, > > Frank K6FOD > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > /> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > /> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net [1] > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > /> Message delivered to qrp5w at roadrunner.com > > > Links: > ------ > [1] http://www.qsl.net > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Thu Jul 1 16:29:30 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:29:30 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49780005-90dc-c7af-0bf8-06a108beb8c0@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/1/2021 10:49 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: > As to shutting down the Elecraft equipment. It is VERY important to turn the K3 and K3S off at the radio, NOT by killing power it. When turned off, the rig writes its current state to memory, so comes back to where it was when turned on next. If power drops while it's running, it returns to the last saved state. But if power drops for a second or so and is restored, the radio can come back up in a strange state that doesn't work. I've had this happen at least twice. K6XX taught me to leave the radio off without power for 15-30 minutes, then turn it back on. Both times I've done this, it came back just fine to the last saved state. Worst case, it may be necessary to do an EEINIT. 73, Jim K9YC From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Thu Jul 1 16:36:06 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:36:06 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <82707266-bde9-0c64-98c1-2b72e28a2301@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/1/2021 1:23 PM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > I wouldn't use it for*serious* battery operation -- lithium ion batteries > are just so much better For reasons of safety, LiFePO4 is generally accepted as the chemistry most suited for our operation. Bioenne is a good vendor. I know several other hams are using their products, as I have for at 6-8 years. I have a 20 Ah battery for portable operation, and a 100 Ah battery has been running my station for five years. It is float-charged through a Genasun charge regulator (marketed for small solar systems) by a re-purposed Thinkpad power supply. 73, Jim K9YC From wa2lbi at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 16:45:47 2021 From: wa2lbi at gmail.com (Ken Winterling) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:45:47 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <49780005-90dc-c7af-0bf8-06a108beb8c0@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <49780005-90dc-c7af-0bf8-06a108beb8c0@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: I use a sine wave UPS in the shack and an IOTA 55 amp power supply for the rigs is plugged into that. Power blips and short outages do not affect the station with the exception that the KPA500 will drop out since it is running on 240V. The UPS provides more than enough time to safely shut down the rig(s) if necessary. Ken WA2LBI On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 4:30 PM Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/1/2021 10:49 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: > > As to shutting down the Elecraft equipment. > > It is VERY important to turn the K3 and K3S off at the radio, NOT by > killing power it. When turned off, the rig writes its current state to > memory, so comes back to where it was when turned on next. If power > drops while it's running, it returns to the last saved state. > > But if power drops for a second or so and is restored, the radio can > come back up in a strange state that doesn't work. I've had this happen > at least twice. K6XX taught me to leave the radio off without power for > 15-30 minutes, then turn it back on. Both times I've done this, it came > back just fine to the last saved state. Worst case, it may be necessary > to do an EEINIT. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wa2lbi at gmail.com > From ardrhi at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 16:19:30 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:19:30 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> References: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> Message-ID: I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for dealing with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it. You have to open it up and take the batteries out to reset the radio when it gets into that state. I didn't bother putting them back in; I can power it from a PD or QC USB power bank in a blackout if I have to. (I built special trigger cables to do that.) Those lovely Eneloop NiMH AA cells are now in my Roland Aerophone. 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 4:10 PM Frank O'Donnell wrote: > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. > > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with > a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack > situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a > KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based > on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the > internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the > real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider > buying this. > > Thanks for any thoughts, > > Frank K6FOD > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > From julia at juliatuttle.net Thu Jul 1 16:51:07 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:51:07 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> Message-ID: Gosh, if and when the KX4 is a thing, I would love to see a USB-C power + CAT + audio option. On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 16:49 Gwen Patton wrote: > I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up > periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio > got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for dealing > with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down > completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it. > > You have to open it up and take the batteries out to reset the radio when > it gets into that state. I didn't bother putting them back in; I can power > it from a PD or QC USB power bank in a blackout if I have to. (I built > special trigger cables to do that.) > > Those lovely Eneloop NiMH AA cells are now in my Roland Aerophone. > > 73, > Gwen, NG3P > > On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 4:10 PM Frank O'Donnell wrote: > > > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available > > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. > > > > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used > > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with > > a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack > > situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a > > KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based > > on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the > > internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the > > real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider > > buying this. > > > > Thanks for any thoughts, > > > > Frank K6FOD > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From dave at nk7z.net Thu Jul 1 16:52:57 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 13:52:57 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2065014833.520276.1625159346726.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2065014833.520276.1625159346726@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <946bc49e-4210-2482-dfc1-4edb6fc15e89@nk7z.net> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa6dqx9udcg 3:44 in... ;) 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/1/21 10:09 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > The recent thread on small and inexpensive vector network analyzers made me wonder if and when someone will make either a manual or automatic antenna tuner with something like one of those VNAs used as a front panel display. With the VNA in Smith Chart format, how cool would it be to tune the tuner and watch the antenna impedance move toward the center of the Smith Chart? The calibration coefficients of the VNA could be set at the factory and stored in EEPROM since they wouldn't change much over the life of the tuner other than some temperature and aging effects (but even the cal vs. temperature could be pre-measured at the factory). > > To my knowledge all commercially available tuners simply display the measured SWR as a single number; providing a Smith Chart (or rectangular graph if you wish) swept over frequency would be a quantum leap in the information presented to the user. > > Maybe if and when Elecraft decides to design the next generation of the KAT500, or maybe this has already been done and I don't know it? > > Al? W6LX/4 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Thu Jul 1 17:24:41 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:24:41 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2ffea02e-b027-60c1-d37c-69f22b830ac5@benlomand.net> It would likely be easier and much better quality to buy an electrical utility box, and outlet, a switch, a cap {plug}, a length of #12 SJ, cable clamp, and a cover at? the local Home Depot, Lowe's' or such and make your own. I have one I made for my generator distribution which has a 240V receptacle and two 120V receptacles. One thing that really concerns me is the use of power distribution strips.?? Many hams seem to use the "switch on the strip" to shut the station down.? This is a BAD IDEA!.?? Each piece of equipment should be correctly powered down before the AC mains power is switched off.? Any equipment with a processor, including computers, hate to be shut down by removing the power. It usually prevents the proper power down sequence with likely unknown results on the next power up cycle. The rule is power it up using the #1, #2, and #3 sequence and power it down using the #3, #2, #1 sequence. 73 Bob, K4TAX Message: 3 Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:27 -0700 From: John Nicholson To: Buck Cc:elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into the strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of the amp is inconvenient to reach in my shack. John K7FD On 7/1/2021 3:47 PM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:27 -0700 > From: John Nicholson > To: Buck > Cc:elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a 220V power strip? My searches come up empty handed. I would like to plug the KPA500 into the strip to turn it totally on off. The power switch on the back of the amp is inconvenient to reach in my shack. > > John K7FD From mlycan at eastlink.ca Thu Jul 1 17:34:43 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 18:34:43 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works Message-ID: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> Further troubleshooting of my new K2 build reveals that transmit and receive on the 30-metre band works well. But all other bands, transmit and receive, don't work. On transmit on non-working bands, the output signal doesn't make it past the output of the band-pass filters (W6). But on 30 metres, the band-pass filter output is in the correct range of 25 mV with 5 watts of transmit power. On 30 metres, the band-pass coils tune as you would expect and I can peak the band on receive and transmit. On receive on 30 metres, I can hear RTTY, CW and WWV as well as SW stations in the 31-metre band. On other bands, I hear nothing except on 40 metres at night when signals are strongest. I can hear an occasional strong station on 40. When transmitting, I am using the DL-1 dummy load. I am trying to think of what's common among all bands except 30 metres, transmit and receive, where a problem could lie. The fact that 30 metres works OK confirms that much of the rig is working correctly. Since 30 and 20 metres share a band-pass filter as well as a low pass filter makes this all the more confusing. -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From rich at wc3t.us Thu Jul 1 17:46:41 2021 From: rich at wc3t.us (rich at wc3t.us) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 17:46:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> Message-ID: <000901d76ec2$966b1570$c3414050$@wc3t.us> I always wondered if I was going to open the case and see exploded NiMH batteries all over the inside. I finally just took them out, and I'm sticking with a Bioenno to power it 100% of the time. -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Gwen Patton Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2021 16:20 To: Frank O'Donnell Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for dealing with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it. You have to open it up and take the batteries out to reset the radio when it gets into that state. I didn't bother putting them back in; I can power it from a PD or QC USB power bank in a blackout if I have to. (I built special trigger cables to do that.) Those lovely Eneloop NiMH AA cells are now in my Roland Aerophone. 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 4:10 PM Frank O'Donnell wrote: > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. > > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise > with a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in > backpack situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use > out of a KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for > themselves based on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is > anyone finding the internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't > sound like the real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason > to consider buying this. > > Thanks for any thoughts, > > Frank K6FOD > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > ardrhi at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rich at wc3t.us From ardrhi at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 17:16:39 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 17:16:39 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: <335c2274-d2f8-a319-89a7-1b0fe1e5c248@inkbox.net> Message-ID: If you have a KX3, you can add USB-C power to it now. Check my blog at https://www.ng3p.com and I give all particulars for running QRP rigs with either USB-C PD power banks or, more recently, USB-A QC power banks. The circuitry for doing it has gotten so small, it should be possible to 3d-print a small housing for a 5.5x2.1mm barrel connector to the radio, but enclosing one of the tiny USB-C PD trigger boards for 12V. Or, if you are good at modding radios and are willing to violate the warranty, it could probably be mounted inside the case someplace. (I don't recommend it. I'd do it on a kit I build, but not on a finished product I purchased unless it was out of warranty.) Here's a link to the tiny 12v/5A Power Delivery trigger boards I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NFKV2LD I may look for a 3d print file for one of those powerpole adapters I've seen people use with the KX3, and modify it to hold one of these boards. Then you could just run a USB-C jumper cable from a PD power bank directly to the radio. Or run it from a GaN PD AC charger. I've done it, so I know it works. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 4:51 PM Julia Tuttle wrote: > Gosh, if and when the KX4 is a thing, I would love to see a USB-C power + > CAT + audio option. > > On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 16:49 Gwen Patton wrote: > >> I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up >> periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio >> got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for >> dealing >> with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down >> completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it. >> >> You have to open it up and take the batteries out to reset the radio when >> it gets into that state. I didn't bother putting them back in; I can power >> it from a PD or QC USB power bank in a blackout if I have to. (I built >> special trigger cables to do that.) >> >> Those lovely Eneloop NiMH AA cells are now in my Roland Aerophone. >> >> 73, >> Gwen, NG3P >> >> On Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 4:10 PM Frank O'Donnell wrote: >> >> > I have a KX3 bought new in 2018 that has close to all of the available >> > options with the exception of the KXBC3 battery charger. >> > >> > Until now I haven't paid much attention to this, as I've usually used >> > the radio with a Pro Audio PSU when 110vac is available, otherwise with >> > a Bioenno external battery. But I may be using it more in backpack >> > situations, and am on the fence on whether I'd get much use out of a >> > KXBC3. Obviously everyone has to make this decision for themselves based >> > on their usage habits. Just curious, though, is anyone finding the >> > internal charger really useful? Or not? It doesn't sound like the >> > real-time clock is accurate enough to make it a reason to consider >> > buying this. >> > >> > Thanks for any thoughts, >> > >> > Frank K6FOD >> > >> > ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft mailing list >> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> > >> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com >> > >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net >> > From wabernat at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 18:07:29 2021 From: wabernat at gmail.com (William Abernathy) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 18:07:29 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Thanks Hal. Maybe the K4 will let me turn down the volume on the high pitch qrm. Thank that would work? I am familiar with filtering but for light. I used to sell machine vision. Erode, dilate, clip and stretch were my favorite filters. Regards, William Abernathy (513) 368-8276 wabernat at gmail.com > On Jul 1, 2021, at 12:01 PM, Hal Massey wrote: > > ?You are welcome. There are some websites you can go to. They let you build your own digital filters and see what they are like. Meaning you can listen to what you build ton your computer speakers! > > They have things like digital audio generators so you can run test signals through your digital filter. You can push a 1,000 Hertz sine wave thru your filter and listen to the result, for example. > > They also have common filters pre-built that you can play with. When I say prebuilt I mean all the usual ham filters like low pass, high pass, bandpass, etc. These sites are a lot of fun if you want to learn and play around a bit at the same time. > > Also, YouTube has some great material at the introductory level these days. > > > 73 > -Hal > > > >> On Jul 1, 2021, at 06:01, William Abernathy wrote: >> >> Hal, >> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. >> >> I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day >> >> 73 >> >> William Abernathy >> >> >>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>> >>> ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. >>> >>> This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. >>> >>> >>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi, >>>> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >>>> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >>>> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >>>> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >>>> to be subtracted from the primary. >>>> >>>> What do you think? >>>> >>>> Wiliam >>>> >>>> -- >>>> *William Abernathy* >>>> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >>>> *AA8XX* >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>> >>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >>> > From haljr.massey at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 18:11:36 2021 From: haljr.massey at gmail.com (Hal Massey) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 16:11:36 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Try the receive equalizer? kill the high frequencies? > On Jul 1, 2021, at 4:07 PM, William Abernathy wrote: > > ?Thanks Hal. > > Maybe the K4 will let me turn down the volume on the high pitch qrm. Thank that would work? > > I am familiar with filtering but for light. I used to sell machine vision. Erode, dilate, clip and stretch were my favorite filters. > > Regards, > > William Abernathy > (513) 368-8276 > wabernat at gmail.com > > >>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 12:01 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>> >> ?You are welcome. There are some websites you can go to. They let you build your own digital filters and see what they are like. Meaning you can listen to what you build ton your computer speakers! >> >> They have things like digital audio generators so you can run test signals through your digital filter. You can push a 1,000 Hertz sine wave thru your filter and listen to the result, for example. >> >> They also have common filters pre-built that you can play with. When I say prebuilt I mean all the usual ham filters like low pass, high pass, bandpass, etc. These sites are a lot of fun if you want to learn and play around a bit at the same time. >> >> Also, YouTube has some great material at the introductory level these days. >> >> >> 73 >> -Hal >> >> >> >>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 06:01, William Abernathy wrote: >>> >>> Hal, >>> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. >>> >>> I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> William Abernathy >>> >>> >>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>>>> >>>> ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. >>>> >>>> This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hi, >>>>> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >>>>> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >>>>> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >>>>> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >>>>> to be subtracted from the primary. >>>>> >>>>> What do you think? >>>>> >>>>> Wiliam >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> *William Abernathy* >>>>> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >>>>> *AA8XX* >>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>>> >>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >>>> >> From wabernat at gmail.com Thu Jul 1 18:27:00 2021 From: wabernat at gmail.com (William Abernathy) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 18:27:00 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7AE3CF93-BD8B-4B88-A808-BD2972EC89F7@gmail.com> Thanks. Have not got the K4 yet. I may punt and go for a Icom 7610 as the K4 is not coming for a very long while. Regards, William Abernathy (513) 368-8276 wabernat at gmail.com > On Jul 1, 2021, at 6:11 PM, Hal Massey wrote: > > ? > Try the receive equalizer? kill the high frequencies? > >>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 4:07 PM, William Abernathy wrote: >>> >> ?Thanks Hal. >> >> Maybe the K4 will let me turn down the volume on the high pitch qrm. Thank that would work? >> >> I am familiar with filtering but for light. I used to sell machine vision. Erode, dilate, clip and stretch were my favorite filters. >> >> Regards, >> >> William Abernathy >> (513) 368-8276 >> wabernat at gmail.com >> >> >>>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 12:01 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>>> >>> ?You are welcome. There are some websites you can go to. They let you build your own digital filters and see what they are like. Meaning you can listen to what you build ton your computer speakers! >>> >>> They have things like digital audio generators so you can run test signals through your digital filter. You can push a 1,000 Hertz sine wave thru your filter and listen to the result, for example. >>> >>> They also have common filters pre-built that you can play with. When I say prebuilt I mean all the usual ham filters like low pass, high pass, bandpass, etc. These sites are a lot of fun if you want to learn and play around a bit at the same time. >>> >>> Also, YouTube has some great material at the introductory level these days. >>> >>> >>> 73 >>> -Hal >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 06:01, William Abernathy wrote: >>>> >>>> Hal, >>>> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. >>>> >>>> I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day >>>> >>>> 73 >>>> >>>> William Abernathy >>>> >>>> >>>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>>>>> >>>>> ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. >>>>> >>>>> This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi, >>>>>> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >>>>>> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >>>>>> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >>>>>> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >>>>>> to be subtracted from the primary. >>>>>> >>>>>> What do you think? >>>>>> >>>>>> Wiliam >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> *William Abernathy* >>>>>> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >>>>>> *AA8XX* >>>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>>>> >>>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>>>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >>>>> >>> From jerry at tr2.com Thu Jul 1 18:51:03 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2021 15:51:03 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> References: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: On 2021-07-01 14:34, VA1CQ wrote: > Further troubleshooting of my new K2 build reveals that transmit and > receive on the 30-metre band works well. But all other bands, transmit > and receive, don't work. *** I would carefully check the connections to the toroids. Yeah, that procedure for stripping the wire ends with a soldering iron works every time. Except when it doesn't. - Jerry KF6VB ( who remembers - without fondness - his one-time job troubleshooting passive filters in the telephone factory ) From don at w3fpr.com Thu Jul 1 19:23:09 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 19:23:09 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> References: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: <3397f74e-0fd4-8448-c39c-4c83661637f9@w3fpr.com> I would suggest that since 30 meters is working OK, the K2 is capable of both transmit and receive. Furthermore, I would expect the problem to be in the bandpass filter tuning. Be certain to follow the band order for tuning, otherwise you will be chasing your tail. Use the RP Probe (provided with the K2 kit) to measure RF voltage.? If the bandpass filter adjustment does not provide adequate Power Output, put the RF Probe on W6 while making the adjustments to the bandpass filter.? Tune the bandpass filter for maximum RF voltage at W6. Then look at the power output.? You may want to 'tweek' the bandpass filter a bit, but it should be very close to correct. Your name and call on your posts please - I know your call is in your email address, but your name would make it a bit more personal. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/1/2021 5:34 PM, VA1CQ wrote: > Further troubleshooting of my new K2 build reveals that transmit and > receive on the 30-metre band works well. But all other bands, transmit > and receive, don't work. > > On transmit on non-working bands, the output signal doesn't make it > past the output of the band-pass filters (W6). But on 30 metres, the > band-pass filter output is in the correct range of 25 mV with 5 watts > of transmit power. On 30 metres, the band-pass coils tune as you would > expect and I can peak the band on receive and transmit. On receive on > 30 metres, I can hear RTTY, CW and WWV as well as SW stations in the > 31-metre band. On other bands, I hear nothing except on 40 metres at > night when signals are strongest. I can hear an occasional strong > station on 40. When transmitting, I am using the DL-1 dummy load. > > I am trying to think of what's common among all bands except 30 > metres, transmit and receive, where a problem could lie. The fact that > 30 metres works OK confirms that much of the rig is working correctly. > Since 30 and 20 metres share a band-pass filter as well as a low pass > filter makes this all the more confusing. > > From mlycan at eastlink.ca Thu Jul 1 19:54:46 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 20:54:46 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <3397f74e-0fd4-8448-c39c-4c83661637f9@w3fpr.com> References: <840948bf-b6a6-e470-37fb-f31b4644d922@eastlink.ca> <3397f74e-0fd4-8448-c39c-4c83661637f9@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: Hi Don, I forgot to add my name or call on my last post. I agree with that policy. Yes, the K2 seems to be fully operational on 30 metres. I even briefly tried setting 10 W transmit power and it actually transmitted at 10 watts. I was able to tweak the 30 metre bandpass filter and I could see the transmit power reaching a peak and then decreasing as I tuned. I see this same effect when receiving from the antenna on 30 metres. I already know that on the bands which are not operating (all except 30 metres) that tuning the bandpass filters has no effect on either transmit output or on receive signal levels from an antenna. Adjusting the filters produces no RF voltage at W6. Regardless how I tune the filters, the K2 indicates the transmit power is 0.1 to 0.2 watts. It never changes. I notice that my 8 volt regulator output is 7.6 volts. Considering I am using an input voltage to the transceiver of 13.6 volts, isn't 7.6 volts a little low for a regulated output? By comparison, the 5 volt regulator output is 4.92 volts. The manual suggests current draw may be too large if the 8 volt line drops to 7.5 volts or lower. The manual even suggests changing the regulator if a reason can't be found for its voltage being below 7.5 volts. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From mlycan at eastlink.ca Thu Jul 1 20:03:35 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 21:03:35 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <06f1d854-2513-bc8b-2c9c-36c78265761d@eastlink.ca> Hi Jerry, Your advice is good. I never did get that soldering iron technique to work for stripping the toroid wire. I used the fine sandpaper supplied with the K2 to manually bare each wire end. After I soldered, for each connection, I checked using an ohm meter for continuity between solder pads at each end of the toroid wire on the board (not between the wires). I figured this should confirm that the toroid wire was in fact connected to its solder pad. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Fri Jul 2 04:10:26 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 01:10:26 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: <2ffea02e-b027-60c1-d37c-69f22b830ac5@benlomand.net> References: <2ffea02e-b027-60c1-d37c-69f22b830ac5@benlomand.net> Message-ID: On 7/1/2021 2:24 PM, Bob McGraw wrote: > One thing that really concerns me is the use of power distribution strips. That's the least of the problems -- the MOVs built into many (most?) strips. advertised as surge protection are more likely to CAUSE destructive failures of interconnected equipment than to protect it. Bob has the right idea -- build your own multi-outlet boxes from standard electrical parts. See page 23 of http://k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf These boxes and the generator choke were added to the ARRL Handbook several years ago. 73, Jim K9YC From aa4lr at arrl.net Thu Jul 1 22:20:33 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2021 22:20:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Confirmed In-Reply-To: <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> References: <14b856b8dd978f9be114c4889f5ccaa6@tr2.com> <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> Message-ID: <9815A107-4A05-4426-85E2-3E3600B0EAF4@arrl.net> Go with the KPA100. It?s designed and integrated with the K2. Anything else is going to be a maybe-fit or have problems. Plus you get the RS-232 computer interface as well (although you have to use a special cable!) > On Jul 1, 2021, at 9:15 AM, jerry wrote: > > All, > > So the K2 yielded up its first sideband QSO this evening. 10M roundtable of the local ham club. People gave me good reports. > > The next step is to organize up some power. The KPA100 is a mighty elegant package, but I'm having trouble getting my head around the price tag. > > An alternative might be one of those Chinese amp > kits off Ebay. I actually have one in hand. It requires a bit of redesign to work well. Mostly, > going to a bifilar-transformer power feed and verifying/optimizing the input and output turns ratios. And providing a proper switched LPF. > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > > > > > > On 2021-06-30 19:54, Bill Coleman wrote: >> The K2SB was absolutely the hardest kit to build out of the entire K2. >> There are a lot of parts, and it is a very small board. >>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:06 PM, jerry wrote: >>> So I got up at 5:30 this morning and continued stuffing the SSB adapter card. Finished it up this afternoon. >>> Trying it out, the CPU came up... CW still worked... But no SSB transmit, and the SSB receive was very very soft. Had to turn the AF gain up all the way to hear >>> anything at all. >>> My untutored diagnosis - something was wrong with that 7-crystal SSB filter. >>> So I pulled the card out, scrubbed it again with IPA, stuck it under the microscope to look - again - for solder splashes and cold joints. Scraped off a little something here & there. Also, I had doubts about the connections to the input & output transformers. So I hit those again with the soldering iron. >>> Put the card back in the K2 - and ...Wow! Lively SSB receive! RF out on transmit! >>> Still need to align the rig. Piping the output into another ham rig through a big attenuator - it sounds pretty good. One niggle - carrier suppression. If it's nulled out for LSB, it's not for USB. The nulls are in different places on the pot. I guess you set a compromise position, and make sure the carrier is off the skirts of the filter, so that can help. >>> - Jerry KF6VB >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net >> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net >> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com >> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" >> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From aa4lr at arrl.net Fri Jul 2 09:07:05 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 09:07:05 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: <8C32B948-633D-47E6-8C17-F34A3ACE849F@arrl.net> Here: http://www.dspguide.com/pdfbook.htm Good book. > On Jul 1, 2021, at 11:08 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2021-07-01 05:01, William Abernathy wrote: >> Hal, >> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. > *** There is another book, available free over the Internet. It's a detailed presentation of Signal Processing for engineers - and it keeps the advanced > math to a minimum. > > "The Scientist and Engineers Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. Smith. > > "The goal is to present practical techniques while avoiding the barriers of > detailed mathematics and abstract theory." > > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From aa4lr at arrl.net Fri Jul 2 09:07:15 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 09:07:15 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Confirmed In-Reply-To: <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> References: <14b856b8dd978f9be114c4889f5ccaa6@tr2.com> <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> Message-ID: Go with the KPA100. It?s designed and integrated with the K2. Anything else is going to be a maybe-fit or have problems. Plus you get the RS-232 computer interface as well (although you have to use a special cable!) > On Jul 1, 2021, at 9:15 AM, jerry wrote: > > All, > > So the K2 yielded up its first sideband QSO this evening. 10M roundtable of the local ham club. People gave me good reports. > > The next step is to organize up some power. The KPA100 is a mighty elegant package, but I'm having trouble getting my head around the price tag. > > An alternative might be one of those Chinese amp > kits off Ebay. I actually have one in hand. It requires a bit of redesign to work well. Mostly, > going to a bifilar-transformer power feed and verifying/optimizing the input and output turns ratios. And providing a proper switched LPF. > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > > > > > > On 2021-06-30 19:54, Bill Coleman wrote: >> The K2SB was absolutely the hardest kit to build out of the entire K2. >> There are a lot of parts, and it is a very small board. >>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:06 PM, jerry wrote: >>> So I got up at 5:30 this morning and continued stuffing the SSB adapter card. Finished it up this afternoon. >>> Trying it out, the CPU came up... CW still worked... But no SSB transmit, and the SSB receive was very very soft. Had to turn the AF gain up all the way to hear >>> anything at all. >>> My untutored diagnosis - something was wrong with that 7-crystal SSB filter. >>> So I pulled the card out, scrubbed it again with IPA, stuck it under the microscope to look - again - for solder splashes and cold joints. Scraped off a little something here & there. Also, I had doubts about the connections to the input & output transformers. So I hit those again with the soldering iron. >>> Put the card back in the K2 - and ...Wow! Lively SSB receive! RF out on transmit! >>> Still need to align the rig. Piping the output into another ham rig through a big attenuator - it sounds pretty good. One niggle - carrier suppression. If it's nulled out for LSB, it's not for USB. The nulls are in different places on the pot. I guess you set a compromise position, and make sure the carrier is off the skirts of the filter, so that can help. >>> - Jerry KF6VB >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net >> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net >> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com >> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" >> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From kg9hfrank at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 09:18:48 2021 From: kg9hfrank at gmail.com (Frank Krozel) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 08:18:48 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Confirmed In-Reply-To: References: <14b856b8dd978f9be114c4889f5ccaa6@tr2.com> <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> Message-ID: <3800CF64-095B-4A83-90BE-38104CC9697C@gmail.com> I also agree on the KPA100. One box solution! -73- Frank KG9H kg9hfrank at gmail.com > On Jul 2, 2021, at 8:07 AM, Bill Coleman wrote: > > Go with the KPA100. It?s designed and integrated with the K2. Anything else is going to be a maybe-fit or have problems. > > Plus you get the RS-232 computer interface as well (although you have to use a special cable!) > >> On Jul 1, 2021, at 9:15 AM, jerry wrote: >> >> All, >> >> So the K2 yielded up its first sideband QSO this evening. 10M roundtable of the local ham club. People gave me good reports. >> >> The next step is to organize up some power. The KPA100 is a mighty elegant package, but I'm having trouble getting my head around the price tag. >> >> An alternative might be one of those Chinese amp >> kits off Ebay. I actually have one in hand. It requires a bit of redesign to work well. Mostly, >> going to a bifilar-transformer power feed and verifying/optimizing the input and output turns ratios. And providing a proper switched LPF. >> >> - Jerry KF6VB >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2021-06-30 19:54, Bill Coleman wrote: >>> The K2SB was absolutely the hardest kit to build out of the entire K2. >>> There are a lot of parts, and it is a very small board. >>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:06 PM, jerry wrote: >>>> So I got up at 5:30 this morning and continued stuffing the SSB adapter card. Finished it up this afternoon. >>>> Trying it out, the CPU came up... CW still worked... But no SSB transmit, and the SSB receive was very very soft. Had to turn the AF gain up all the way to hear >>>> anything at all. >>>> My untutored diagnosis - something was wrong with that 7-crystal SSB filter. >>>> So I pulled the card out, scrubbed it again with IPA, stuck it under the microscope to look - again - for solder splashes and cold joints. Scraped off a little something here & there. Also, I had doubts about the connections to the input & output transformers. So I hit those again with the soldering iron. >>>> Put the card back in the K2 - and ...Wow! Lively SSB receive! RF out on transmit! >>>> Still need to align the rig. Piping the output into another ham rig through a big attenuator - it sounds pretty good. One niggle - carrier suppression. If it's nulled out for LSB, it's not for USB. The nulls are in different places on the pot. I guess you set a compromise position, and make sure the carrier is off the skirts of the filter, so that can help. >>>> - Jerry KF6VB >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net >>> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net >>> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com >>> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" >>> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net > Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to kg9hfrank at gmail.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Fri Jul 2 10:45:28 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 14:45:28 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Confirmed In-Reply-To: <3800CF64-095B-4A83-90BE-38104CC9697C@gmail.com> References: <14b856b8dd978f9be114c4889f5ccaa6@tr2.com> <66E9CD08-C4D3-4A8F-AAD0-C4B9A8F11C09@arrl.net> <4f5e2374c95e3efb6b46489eacd8a888@tr2.com> <3800CF64-095B-4A83-90BE-38104CC9697C@gmail.com> Message-ID: <661442395.1605534.1625237128160@mail.yahoo.com> I like the KPA100 as part of the two-box solution with the EC2.? Looks like the EC2 has been retired. Lou W7HV On Friday, July 2, 2021, 7:20:50 AM MDT, Frank Krozel wrote: I also agree on the KPA100. One box solution! -73-? Frank? ? KG9H kg9hfrank at gmail.com > On Jul 2, 2021, at 8:07 AM, Bill Coleman wrote: > > Go with the KPA100. It?s designed and integrated with the K2. Anything else is going to be a maybe-fit or have problems. > > Plus you get the RS-232 computer interface as well (although you have to use a special cable!) > >> On Jul 1, 2021, at 9:15 AM, jerry wrote: >> >> All, >> >> So the K2 yielded up its first sideband QSO this evening.? 10M roundtable of the local ham club.? People gave me good reports. >> >> The next step is to organize up some power.? The KPA100 is a mighty elegant package, but I'm having trouble getting my head around the price tag. >> >> An alternative might be one of those Chinese amp >> kits off Ebay.? I actually have one in hand.? It requires a bit of redesign to work well.? Mostly, >> going to a bifilar-transformer power feed and verifying/optimizing the input and output turns ratios.? And providing a proper switched LPF. >> >>? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2021-06-30 19:54, Bill Coleman wrote: >>> The K2SB was absolutely the hardest kit to build out of the entire K2. >>> There are a lot of parts, and it is a very small board. >>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:06 PM, jerry wrote: >>>> So I got up at 5:30 this morning and continued stuffing the SSB adapter card.? Finished it up this afternoon. >>>> Trying it out, the CPU came up... CW still worked... But no SSB transmit, and the SSB receive was very very soft.? Had to turn the AF gain up all the way to hear >>>> anything at all. >>>> My untutored diagnosis - something was wrong with that 7-crystal SSB filter. >>>> So I pulled the card out, scrubbed it again with IPA, stuck it under the microscope to look - again - for solder splashes and? cold joints.? Scraped off a little something here & there.? Also, I had doubts about the connections to the input & output transformers.? So I hit those again with the soldering iron. >>>> Put the card back in the K2 - and ...Wow!? Lively SSB receive!? RF out on transmit! >>>> Still need to align the rig.? Piping the output into another ham rig through a big attenuator - it sounds pretty good.? One niggle - carrier suppression.? If it's nulled out for LSB, it's not for USB.? The nulls are in different places on the pot.? I guess you set a compromise position, and make sure the carrier is off the skirts of the filter, so that can help. >>>>? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net >>> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL? ? ? ? Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net >>> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com >>> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" >>>? ? ? ? -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL? ? ? ? Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net > Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" >? ? ? ? ? -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to kg9hfrank at gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From k4lxy.cw at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 10:54:39 2021 From: k4lxy.cw at gmail.com (Howard Zehr) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 10:54:39 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries Message-ID: You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. 73 Howard K4LXY https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog Howard Zehr K4LXY Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com From wunder at wunderwood.org Fri Jul 2 11:22:12 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 08:22:12 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ? In-Reply-To: References: <2ffea02e-b027-60c1-d37c-69f22b830ac5@benlomand.net> Message-ID: <3CA12CD8-15A8-4D30-8D9D-31126BD789D1@wunderwood.org> I?m pretty sure the first homebrew project I ever made was a switched outlet strip using utility boxes on a 1x3. Might be worth doing that again and adding some good filtering. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 2, 2021, at 1:10 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 7/1/2021 2:24 PM, Bob McGraw wrote: >> One thing that really concerns me is the use of power distribution strips. > > That's the least of the problems -- the MOVs built into many (most?) strips. advertised as surge protection are more likely to CAUSE destructive failures of interconnected equipment than to protect it. > > Bob has the right idea -- build your own multi-outlet boxes from standard electrical parts. See page 23 of http://k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf > > These boxes and the generator choke were added to the ARRL Handbook several years ago. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From aa4lr at arrl.net Fri Jul 2 13:48:58 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 13:48:58 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: If you want to understand DSP, the math underlying it and a lot of the capabilities and limitations, I recommend this book: http://www.dspguide.com/pdfbook.htm It is freely available from that link. You?ll have to read it on-line. I did, and found it to be the most readable explanation of DSP I had ever seen. > On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: > > Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. > > This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. > > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >> >> Hi, >> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >> to be subtracted from the primary. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Wiliam >> >> -- >> *William Abernathy* >> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >> *AA8XX* >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From ardrhi at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 13:02:03 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 13:02:03 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to go with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB devices. I also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN AC charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger that also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also count a USB car charger. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: > You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It > uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the > rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. > 73 Howard K4LXY > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> > > > Howard Zehr > K4LXY > Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog > > Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > From julia at juliatuttle.net Fri Jul 2 14:19:51 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 14:19:51 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super neat. On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: > I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to go > with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD > and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB devices. I > also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN AC > charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger that > also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also > count a USB car charger. > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > 73, > Gwen, NG3P > > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: > > > You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It > > uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the > > rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. > > 73 Howard K4LXY > > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < > > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> > > > > > > Howard Zehr > > K4LXY > > Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog > > > > Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From wunder at wunderwood.org Fri Jul 2 15:11:16 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 12:11:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <928AA3E6-2133-4C53-AC79-014D652339C0@wunderwood.org> If that is the Biolite stove/charger, it isn?t a good stove or a good charger. Detailed review here, the conclusion is: "If you want to cook with wood in the backcountry, get yourself a decent wood stove or make your own. If you?re looking for a way to recharge USB enabled devices, I?d recommend you use batteries or a rechargeable power brick instead of the BioLite wood burning CampStove. This product is a gimmick that will be shelved in your basement after a single outing." https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/ On the other hand, the PowerPot appears to actually work, and could be used with a good wood stove (SoloStove) or a camp stove. Here is the conclusion from that review (same reviewer): "I?m impressed with the PowerPot. Quite impressed. This is one of the most efficient power generating options available today for backpackers and campers who are off-the-grid for extended periods of time but need electricity to recharge battery-powered devices. If you?re using a solar charger/battery pack combo like the PowerMonkey Extreme (16 ounces) or the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit (19 ounces) for backpacking adventures, you should take a look at using the PowerPot instead. It?s a lighter weight solution (14.1 ounces) that is seasonally and weather independent. Now if they?d only come out with a still lighter and smaller UL version." https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 2, 2021, at 11:19 AM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super neat. > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: > >> I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to go >> with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD >> and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB devices. I >> also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN AC >> charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger that >> also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also >> count a USB car charger. >> >> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >> 73, >> Gwen, NG3P >> >> >> On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: >> >>> You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It >>> uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the >>> rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. >>> 73 Howard K4LXY >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> >>> >>> >>> Howard Zehr >>> K4LXY >>> Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog >>> >>> Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From kg9hfrank at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 15:13:30 2021 From: kg9hfrank at gmail.com (Frank Krozel) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 14:13:30 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Main Tuning knob spinner? Message-ID: I ended up with a few K2?s and one main tuning knob ?lost? the button/finger piece that helps to fast tune it. Seems it was ?sticking on? with adhesive. Anyone know a source for these buttons? -73- Frank KG9H kg9hfrank at gmail.com From don at w3fpr.com Fri Jul 2 15:41:31 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 15:41:31 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Main Tuning knob spinner? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1a95b148-0b42-3814-b601-06edfdacaddb@w3fpr.com> Frank, That sounds like the 'finger dimple' from Elecraft.? I don't know if they are still available. If you have the piece that fell off, glue it back on - I used E6000 adhesive with great success. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/2/2021 3:13 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: > I ended up with a few K2?s and one main tuning knob ?lost? the button/finger piece that helps to fast tune it. > Seems it was ?sticking on? with adhesive. > > Anyone know a source for these buttons? > > -73- Frank KG9H > kg9hfrank at gmail.com > > From haljr.massey at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 16:30:37 2021 From: haljr.massey at gmail.com (Hal Massey) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 14:30:37 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: <7AE3CF93-BD8B-4B88-A808-BD2972EC89F7@gmail.com> References: <7AE3CF93-BD8B-4B88-A808-BD2972EC89F7@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi William, Good luck with your choice. The 7610 is obviously a great rig. I understand getting tired of waiting. I bought two Flex Radio units in the meantime. A 6600m used from Flex and a new 6400. I intend to remote the 6400. Both are Software Defined Radios. I?m over 60 countries logged (not all of them are new to me) with the 6600M in no time. They are my first fully SDR units. The DSP on them is awesome. 73 -Hal > On Jul 1, 2021, at 16:27, William Abernathy wrote: > > Thanks. Have not got the K4 yet. I may punt and go for a Icom 7610 as the K4 is not coming for a very long while. > > Regards, > > William Abernathy > (513) 368-8276 > wabernat at gmail.com > > >> On Jul 1, 2021, at 6:11 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >> >> ? >> Try the receive equalizer? kill the high frequencies? >> >>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 4:07 PM, William Abernathy wrote: >>> >>> ?Thanks Hal. >>> >>> Maybe the K4 will let me turn down the volume on the high pitch qrm. Thank that would work? >>> >>> I am familiar with filtering but for light. I used to sell machine vision. Erode, dilate, clip and stretch were my favorite filters. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> William Abernathy >>> (513) 368-8276 >>> wabernat at gmail.com >>> >>> >>>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 12:01 PM, Hal Massey wrote: >>>> >>>> ?You are welcome. There are some websites you can go to. They let you build your own digital filters and see what they are like. Meaning you can listen to what you build ton your computer speakers! >>>> >>>> They have things like digital audio generators so you can run test signals through your digital filter. You can push a 1,000 Hertz sine wave thru your filter and listen to the result, for example. >>>> >>>> They also have common filters pre-built that you can play with. When I say prebuilt I mean all the usual ham filters like low pass, high pass, bandpass, etc. These sites are a lot of fun if you want to learn and play around a bit at the same time. >>>> >>>> Also, YouTube has some great material at the introductory level these days. >>>> >>>> >>>> 73 >>>> -Hal >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> On Jul 1, 2021, at 06:01, William Abernathy > wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hal, >>>>> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. >>>>> >>>>> I do hope for more improvements. Still can hear the QRM ringing in my head after Field Day >>>>> >>>>> 73 >>>>> >>>>> William Abernathy >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey > wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> ?Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. >>>>>> >>>>>> This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy > wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >>>>>>> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >>>>>>> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >>>>>>> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >>>>>>> to be subtracted from the primary. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> What do you think? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Wiliam >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> *William Abernathy* >>>>>>> *AA8XX at arrl.net >* >>>>>>> *AA8XX* >>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>>>>> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com >>>>>> >>>> From pe1hzg at xs4all.nl Fri Jul 2 16:45:12 2021 From: pe1hzg at xs4all.nl (Geert Jan de Groot) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 22:45:12 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] KXBC3 battery charger In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <851876df-4507-56da-5a8e-523fad2ad87c@xs4all.nl> > I found it annoying. I had the NiMH batteries in it, charging them up > periodically, until I had an issue with upgrading the firmware. The radio > got stuck in an error mode, and the instructions on the website for dealing > with the problem said to pull the power cable to shut it down > completely...except that it doesn't work if you have the batteries in it. I have the KXBC3 and I like it, in that I can really take the KX3 and move it around like a piece of portable test equipment. Especially given the way the KX3 needs to be opened, it would not be nice to have to open the KX3 every time the batteries are flat like the KX2 does (the KX2 has facilities for this, the KX3 doesn't). I suspect that a fair number of KX3 users don't use the internal batteries at all, use the power plug all that time. I use it too, except when I need to run around to measure at a different place - then the batteries come to right. But, not all is good news. Measuring the current during the charge process, I don't understand how the KXBC3 can full charge because the numbers don't add up. On my 1800 mAh eneloops I should get 8+ hours if my KX3 is just pulling 210 mA on receive - I certainly don't get that, cells are new. A second problem is that the KX3 firmware really freaks out if one configures the KXBC3 to be installed, and the hardware is missing. There is no easy recovery from that (this is on latest firmware). (there are a few more -documented- KX3 and K3 firmware issues and I'm hoping that someone would dive in and address them - should not be more than a day of work!) And, I've had the front panel CPU go weird on me a few times. Given that the KX3 doesn't completely switch off - some electrons are needed to make the power buttons work! - recovering from the weirdness involved removing one battery and disconnecting the flexfoil. Discussion with Elecraft support is ongoing as to what is causing the weirdness - I have a fairly early serial number. Also, I wonder why the KXBC3 is an option that is sold separately. The hardware could have been integrated on the main board and there would not have been a mess with additional connectors, etc.. Would you buy a laptop computer if charging its battery requires an additional optional module? 73, Geert Jan PE1HZG From ardrhi at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 14:49:24 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 14:49:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Unfortunately, it was a Kickstarter, and they're gone now. But you can see if there are any "Candle Stower" units for sale used. The original product was the "Flame Stower", by You'd do better with one of their competitors, BioLite. https://www.bioliteenergy.com/ They have various stoves, fire pits, and the like, some with thermoelectric USB power output. 73, Gwen, NG3P On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 2:20 PM Julia Tuttle wrote: > Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super > neat. > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: > >> I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to go >> with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD >> and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB devices. >> I >> also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN AC >> charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger >> that >> also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also >> count a USB car charger. >> >> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >> 73, >> Gwen, NG3P >> >> >> On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: >> >> > You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It >> > uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the >> > rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. >> > 73 Howard K4LXY >> > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < >> > https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> >> > >> > >> > Howard Zehr >> > K4LXY >> > Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog >> > >> > Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft mailing list >> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> > >> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com >> > >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net >> > From ardrhi at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 15:17:33 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 15:17:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: <928AA3E6-2133-4C53-AC79-014D652339C0@wunderwood.org> References: <928AA3E6-2133-4C53-AC79-014D652339C0@wunderwood.org> Message-ID: Thanks, Walter. I hadn't known about the Power Pot. I have a Candle Stower, which does work, albeit slowly. I don't own a Biolite stove, myself, it's just one of the only other thermoelectric gadgets I knew about. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 3:12 PM Walter Underwood wrote: > If that is the Biolite stove/charger, it isn?t a good stove or a good > charger. Detailed review here, the conclusion is: > > "If you want to cook with wood in the backcountry, get yourself a decent > wood stove or make your own. If you?re looking for a way to recharge USB > enabled devices, I?d recommend you use batteries or a rechargeable power > brick instead of the BioLite wood burning CampStove. This product is a > gimmick that will be shelved in your basement after a single outing." > > https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/ > > > > On the other hand, the PowerPot appears to actually work, and could be > used with a good wood stove (SoloStove) or a camp stove. Here is the > conclusion from that review (same reviewer): > > "I?m impressed with the PowerPot. Quite impressed. This is one of the most > efficient power generating options available today for backpackers and > campers who are off-the-grid for extended periods of time but need > electricity to recharge battery-powered devices. If you?re using a solar > charger/battery pack combo like the PowerMonkey Extreme (16 ounces) or the > Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit (19 ounces) for backpacking adventures, > you should take a look at using the PowerPot instead. It?s a lighter weight > solution (14.1 ounces) that is seasonally and weather independent. Now if > they?d only come out with a still lighter and smaller UL version." > > https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/ < > https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/> > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > > > On Jul 2, 2021, at 11:19 AM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > > > Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super > neat. > > > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: > > > >> I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to > go > >> with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD > >> and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB > devices. I > >> also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN > AC > >> charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger > that > >> also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also > >> count a USB car charger. > >> > >> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > >> 73, > >> Gwen, NG3P > >> > >> > >> On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: > >> > >>> You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. > It > >>> uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside > the > >>> rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. > >>> 73 Howard K4LXY > >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < > >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> > >>> > >>> > >>> Howard Zehr > >>> K4LXY > >>> Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog > >>> > >>> Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >>> Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > >>> > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com From pe1hzg at xs4all.nl Fri Jul 2 17:22:13 2021 From: pe1hzg at xs4all.nl (Geert Jan de Groot) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 23:22:13 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > Further troubleshooting of my new K2 build reveals that transmit and > receive on the 30-metre band works well. But all other bands, transmit > and receive, don't work. ... > I am trying to think of what's common among all bands except 30 metres, > transmit and receive, where a problem could lie. The fact that 30 metres > works OK confirms that much of the rig is working correctly. Since 30 > and 20 metres share a band-pass filter as well as a low pass filter > makes this all the more confusing. The K2 uses latching relays for band switching (as well as VFO switching, ext ant switching and some other things). So, if your K2 can't drive its relays (or no longer can drive its relays) then many things still work, except band switching. All of this is driven from U1 on the main board. U1 has a separate voltage regulator, U2. I am pretty sure that the main CPU on the control board yells at you if it can't talk to the IO controller U1 on the main board. But perhaps the voltage is good enough for the controller to work but not for the relays to operate. If you change bands, do you hear the relays operate? After you change bands, after a second or so, you should hear a distinct "cccclickkk" as several relays are changed. Also, since you are measuring, can you verify that if you change bands, the relays switch as expected? When looking at the 2005 schematics, I see that all relays - even on optional modules like the 160m module, have a voltage "RY COM" to switch against (mainboard, sheet 3). The schematic says that if one relay needs to be operated, all the other relays are pulled in the other direction. I would make sure that this "RY COM" isn't grounded or something. 73, Geert Jan PE1HZG From ardrhi at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 17:10:35 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 17:10:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries In-Reply-To: References: <928AA3E6-2133-4C53-AC79-014D652339C0@wunderwood.org> Message-ID: Unfortunately, like the Candle Stower, the Power Pot is no longer available. There's a knockoff on Amazon that comes with a gas stove and a small box wood stove, but I wouldn't trust it. It's got that typica "it comes in a set" pricing that's probably twice what the pieces would cost if purchased separately. It looks like thermoelectric sources aren't good sellers. I'm pretty sure that's because they're perceived as dedicated electrical generators, and they're not. They make electricity from a side effect, and not a very efficient one at that. The only reason to use one is to make use of the waste heat from heating water for hot drinks or dehydrated food, which you have to heat water for anyway. It's temperature *differential* that these things run off anyway, and people don't get that. It's not a heat-engine like a gas generator, or even a fuel cell, would be. It's highest efficiency is when the water in the pot is coldest, not when it's hottest. The benefit of using the hot water to make food or drink is that in order to generate electricity best, you need to get rid of the hot water and put in fresh cold water...so you might as well put the hot water to a good use that doesn't waste all that energy. I don't use my Candle Stower when the weather is hot, because that's when I'm least likely to want to have hot coffee, and would probably rather drink the cold water to cool myself, than pour it into a pot to heat it up. But in the Fall, or early Winter, sure! This is why I researched the use of consumer-grade USB PD/QC power banks for field use. They're lighter than other batteries, less bulky, more durable, and usually cheaper. They only require the addition of a $10 trigger cable to run a 12V radio, and they are multitaskers, able to charge your other USB devices as well. I love Bioennos and Talentcells, but I'd rather carry a 20Ah PD power bank than my 12Ah LiFePO4 12v Talentcell. Out of the box, my PD power bank can plug right into my phone, my watch, my tablet, my Baofeng T1 HT, and the 3 flashlights I typically carry. Add the trigger cable, and it can power my QRP rigs as well. To do that with my 12Ah Talentcell, I'd have to add a bunch of additional circuitry, and the Talentcell is already at least 2X and often 3X the cost of that PD power bank. And the power bank has more juice. But I can also easily charge the USB bank with a USB solar panel. I'd need an additional charge controller to do that with the Talentcell, even if I could do it with the same panel, which I probably can't. The solar panel I have is a folding one with dedicated USB out. There's no place to attach a 12v charge controller to it to charge the Talentcell. The USB bank doesn't care. Run the cable to the microUSB in or the USB-C in, and it's happy to sit and charge. The only reason I mentioned the Thermoelectric option is because I already have it. It may not be the best option, but it's an option I have. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 3:17 PM Gwen Patton wrote: > Thanks, Walter. I hadn't known about the Power Pot. I have a Candle > Stower, which does work, albeit slowly. I don't own a Biolite stove, > myself, it's just one of the only other thermoelectric gadgets I knew about. > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > 73, > Gwen, NG3P > > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 3:12 PM Walter Underwood > wrote: > >> If that is the Biolite stove/charger, it isn?t a good stove or a good >> charger. Detailed review here, the conclusion is: >> >> "If you want to cook with wood in the backcountry, get yourself a decent >> wood stove or make your own. If you?re looking for a way to recharge USB >> enabled devices, I?d recommend you use batteries or a rechargeable power >> brick instead of the BioLite wood burning CampStove. This product is a >> gimmick that will be shelved in your basement after a single outing." >> >> https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/ >> < >> https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/ >> > >> >> On the other hand, the PowerPot appears to actually work, and could be >> used with a good wood stove (SoloStove) or a camp stove. Here is the >> conclusion from that review (same reviewer): >> >> "I?m impressed with the PowerPot. Quite impressed. This is one of the >> most efficient power generating options available today for backpackers and >> campers who are off-the-grid for extended periods of time but need >> electricity to recharge battery-powered devices. If you?re using a solar >> charger/battery pack combo like the PowerMonkey Extreme (16 ounces) or the >> Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit (19 ounces) for backpacking adventures, >> you should take a look at using the PowerPot instead. It?s a lighter weight >> solution (14.1 ounces) that is seasonally and weather independent. Now if >> they?d only come out with a still lighter and smaller UL version." >> >> https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/ < >> https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/> >> >> wunder >> K6WRU >> Walter Underwood >> CM87wj >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >> > On Jul 2, 2021, at 11:19 AM, Julia Tuttle >> wrote: >> > >> > Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super >> neat. >> > >> > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: >> > >> >> I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided >> to go >> >> with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external >> PD >> >> and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB >> devices. I >> >> also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN >> AC >> >> charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger >> that >> >> also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can >> also >> >> count a USB car charger. >> >> >> >> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >> >> 73, >> >> Gwen, NG3P >> >> >> >> >> >> On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr >> wrote: >> >> >> >>> You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. >> It >> >>> uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside >> the >> >>> rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. >> >>> 73 Howard K4LXY >> >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < >> >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> Howard Zehr >> >>> K4LXY >> >>> Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog >> >>> >> >>> Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.com >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> >>> Elecraft mailing list >> >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >>> >> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >>> Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com >> >>> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> >> Elecraft mailing list >> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net >> >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft mailing list >> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> > >> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > > From tmonfort at ihcounsel.com Fri Jul 2 19:46:32 2021 From: tmonfort at ihcounsel.com (Taylor Monfort) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 19:46:32 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Ken Kopp K0PP Message-ID: <00d101d76f9c$7cb2e880$7618b980$@ihcounsel.com> Ken (then W5TKI/4) and Rose Kopp, and Al Fizz (K4QEO) were my mentors. I say mentors, because "Elmers" doesn't cover it. My mother worked at the St. Petersburg public library with Rose. I was 13, had an avid interest in broadcasting radio. I saw a listing in Sears catalog for a "shortwave" radio with a photo of the Eifel Tower and Big Ben. That was for me! International adventure. Mom facilitated a visit to Ken and Rose's. Wow was that exciting. He was all CW and had great mil surplus gear, command sets, BC-348, etc. Did I want a license, he asked? You bet. He and Al patiently taught me CW and theory. I took the novice and was thrilled to receive WN4APB. Ken, Rose and Al were all of 23 years old. I can't imagine today's typical 23 year-old having the maturity and patience of putting up with an impudent 13 year-old to teach him both science and life lessons. Without them, my life would have certainly been much different. Amateur radio opened many doors. Immediately out of college, I was hired as a very young federal agent most likely because of my radio expertise. Electronics was becoming an important tool for federal law enforcement. I rose in the ranks to supervisory criminal investigator and then chief of technical operations due to that background. I went on to found and run a successful broadcasting group. I probably would not have even gone to law school, without the Kopp's influence. I maintained contact with Ken and Rose through the years. They remained the dearest of people to me. Ken and I exchanged numerous emails, and had several long telephone conversations about life and radio. Ken directed me to my K-3. Rose made a custom cover for it. I am a life-long CW amateur and that remains a passion of my life. I look forward to my K-4 and will commemorate and think of Ken when I make that first K-4 contact. I knew Ken was not well and did not want this day to come. Thanks Ken and Rose Kopp. 161 to you both. Taylor WA4APB From mlycan at eastlink.ca Fri Jul 2 20:54:09 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 21:54:09 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Geert, Coincidentally, while troubleshooting today I was listening to relays! There is a different sound depending on whether one relay clicks or more than one clicks. Yes, there are relays clicking as I change the band. A different number of relays operate depending on which band you change to. The schematic shows which relays close as you change bands. I was suspicious that maybe the necessary relay contacts were not closing. If there is relay closing trouble, this could explain why the different bandpass filters are not working correctly. Some history. I bought this K2 new in 2008. It sat unbuilt for about 10 years. I then built the Control board only. After that a couple more years passed. Just this year I built the Front Panel and RF boards. Therefore all parts are at least 13 years old. I wondered if over that time perhaps the relay contacts may have aged through lack of use. Today I now have 80, 30 and 15 metre bands working. I was able to tune the matching bandpass filters to get the correct transmit output power on each of these bands. But I still cannot get 40, 20, 17, 12 and 10 metres to function. I did some resoldering and even took off the heatsink to examine the underside of the RF board. I did more voltage checking today. I came to no conclusions but I still am wondering why the 8 volt bus is only 7.6 volts and whether this could be an issue or possibly cause unpredictable switching. I will continue studying the relays further in my next troubleshooting session. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From mike at mdodd.com Fri Jul 2 22:03:48 2021 From: mike at mdodd.com (Mike Dodd) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 22:03:48 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 Message-ID: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> My K3s, KPA500, and KAT500 are connected to my Win 8.1 Pro PC, and everything works fine. I am about to replace the Win 8.1 box with a Win 10 Pro box, and need to connect the Elecraft equipment to it. QUESTION: I have a PDF document, "Application Note AN_396 FTDI Drivers Installation Guide for Windows 10, Version 1.0, Issue Date: 2016-02-02." Are these instructions correct and current, or is there later information I should read? Or is the FTDI driver already installed in Win 10 Pro, so I don't have to do anything except plug in the USB dongle? Thanks for any information. 73, Mike N4CF From rocketnj at gmail.com Fri Jul 2 22:11:18 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (Dave) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 22:11:18 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> References: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> Message-ID: <107CFB0D-66DF-46BC-9EEC-27096497E614@gmail.com> Hi Mike Windows 10 should detect the cables with FTDI chipset without any additional driver installation. The KXUSB cable uses the FTDI chipset and it enumerated as a com port just fine. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > On Jul 2, 2021, at 10:05 PM, Mike Dodd wrote: > > ?My K3s, KPA500, and KAT500 are connected to my Win 8.1 Pro PC, and everything works fine. I am about to replace the Win 8.1 box with a Win 10 Pro box, and need to connect the Elecraft equipment to it. > > QUESTION: > I have a PDF document, "Application Note AN_396 FTDI Drivers Installation Guide for Windows 10, Version 1.0, Issue Date: 2016-02-02." Are these instructions correct and current, or is there later information I should read? > > Or is the FTDI driver already installed in Win 10 Pro, so I don't have to do anything except plug in the USB dongle? > > Thanks for any information. > > 73, Mike N4CF > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From howardsaxion at mac.com Fri Jul 2 22:14:59 2021 From: howardsaxion at mac.com (Howard Saxion) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 19:14:59 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <107CFB0D-66DF-46BC-9EEC-27096497E614@gmail.com> References: <107CFB0D-66DF-46BC-9EEC-27096497E614@gmail.com> Message-ID: You should install the latest FTDI driver. There is a link on Elecraft?s website that instructs one to install the driver. Follow this link to the FTDI Site for drivers: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm 73 Howard/WX7HS Howard Saxion > On Jul 2, 2021, at 19:13, Dave wrote: > > ?Hi Mike > > Windows 10 should detect the cables with FTDI chipset without any additional driver installation. The KXUSB cable uses the FTDI chipset and it enumerated as a com port just fine. > > 73 > Dave wo2x > > Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > >> On Jul 2, 2021, at 10:05 PM, Mike Dodd wrote: >> >> ?My K3s, KPA500, and KAT500 are connected to my Win 8.1 Pro PC, and everything works fine. I am about to replace the Win 8.1 box with a Win 10 Pro box, and need to connect the Elecraft equipment to it. >> >> QUESTION: >> I have a PDF document, "Application Note AN_396 FTDI Drivers Installation Guide for Windows 10, Version 1.0, Issue Date: 2016-02-02." Are these instructions correct and current, or is there later information I should read? >> >> Or is the FTDI driver already installed in Win 10 Pro, so I don't have to do anything except plug in the USB dongle? >> >> Thanks for any information. >> >> 73, Mike N4CF >> >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to howardsaxion at mac.com From don at w3fpr.com Fri Jul 2 22:44:04 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 22:44:04 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Murray, The 7.6 volts on the 8 volt power rail is not a problem. The relays operate on 5 volts output from U1. It is possible that the relays have developed oxidation - if there is any damage to the relay case.? Otherwise, the relay contacts should be good - they are good for more than 100k operations. Try the proper bandpass filter alignment.? Follow the band order shown in the manual - it is important.? The inductors must be aligned before the capacitors (to do otherwise will end up with you 'chasing your tail').? If you do not have indicated power output, put your RF Probe on W6 and align the bandpass filters for maximum RF voltage on each band. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/2/2021 8:54 PM, VA1CQ wrote: > Hi Geert, > > Coincidentally, while troubleshooting today I was listening to relays! > There is a different sound depending on whether one relay clicks or > more than one clicks. Yes, there are relays clicking as I change the > band. A different number of relays operate depending on which band you > change to. The schematic shows which relays close as you change bands. > I was suspicious that maybe the necessary relay contacts were not > closing. If there is relay closing trouble, this could explain why the > different bandpass filters are not working correctly. > > Some history. I bought this K2 new in 2008. It sat unbuilt for about > 10 years. I then built the Control board only. After that a couple > more years passed. Just this year I built the Front Panel and RF > boards. Therefore all parts are at least 13 years old. I wondered if > over that time perhaps the relay contacts may have aged through lack > of use. > > Today I now have 80, 30 and 15 metre bands working. I was able to tune > the matching bandpass filters to get the correct transmit output power > on each of these bands. But I still cannot get 40, 20, 17, 12 and 10 > metres to function. I did some resoldering and even took off the > heatsink to examine the underside of the RF board. > > I did more voltage checking today. I came to no conclusions but I > still am wondering why the 8 volt bus is only 7.6 volts and whether > this could be an issue or possibly cause unpredictable switching. > > I will continue studying the relays further in my next troubleshooting > session. > From don at w3fpr.com Fri Jul 2 22:48:01 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 22:48:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> References: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> Message-ID: <20c318c5-93f1-8f4b-b51a-24e89ac297e8@w3fpr.com> I would advise you to download and install the latest FTDI drivers from the FTDI website. My understanding is that Win 10 does no longer include the FTDI drivers. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/2/2021 10:03 PM, Mike Dodd wrote: > My K3s, KPA500, and KAT500 are connected to my Win 8.1 Pro PC, and > everything works fine. I am about to replace the Win 8.1 box with a > Win 10 Pro box, and need to connect the Elecraft equipment to it. > > QUESTION: > I have a PDF document, "Application Note AN_396 FTDI Drivers > Installation Guide for Windows 10, Version 1.0, Issue Date: > 2016-02-02." Are these instructions correct and current, or is there > later information I should read? > > Or is the FTDI driver already installed in Win 10 Pro, so I don't have > to do anything except plug in the USB dongle? > > Thanks for any information. > > 73, Mike N4CF > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Fri Jul 2 23:55:04 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2021 20:55:04 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <20c318c5-93f1-8f4b-b51a-24e89ac297e8@w3fpr.com> References: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> <20c318c5-93f1-8f4b-b51a-24e89ac297e8@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: <0883d854-39fc-fc03-71a0-b28088cc9420@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/2/2021 7:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > I would advise you to download and install the latest FTDI drivers from > the FTDI website. > My understanding is that Win 10 does no longer include the FTDI drivers. I just went through this on a new (to me) Windoze 10-64 machine that I wanted to use for logging VHF. All the software installed, checked out, but didn't bother to connect to K3. Ended up subbing another computer. Tonight, did the troubleshooting after advice from my trusty computer guru, who told me exactly this. I downloaded the drivers from FTDI, pointed Windoze Update Driver to the folder where they were, hit next, and they were installed. Without that driver, the USB to USB cable for the KPA1500 also didn't work. 73, Jim K9YC From k2vco.vic at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 01:26:31 2021 From: k2vco.vic at gmail.com (Vic Rosenthal) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 08:26:31 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] Ken Kopp K0PP In-Reply-To: <00d101d76f9c$7cb2e880$7618b980$@ihcounsel.com> References: <00d101d76f9c$7cb2e880$7618b980$@ihcounsel.com> Message-ID: What a beautiful tribute. I too had a lot of help from 20-something hams when I was an annoying teenager. Victor 4X6GP > On 3 Jul 2021, at 2:46, Taylor Monfort wrote: > > ?Ken (then W5TKI/4) and Rose Kopp, and Al Fizz (K4QEO) were my mentors. I > say mentors, because "Elmers" doesn't cover it. My mother worked at the St. > Petersburg public library with Rose. I was 13, had an avid interest in > broadcasting radio. I saw a listing in Sears catalog for a "shortwave" > radio with a photo of the Eifel Tower and Big Ben. That was for me! > International adventure. Mom facilitated a visit to Ken and Rose's. Wow > was that exciting. He was all CW and had great mil surplus gear, command > sets, BC-348, etc. Did I want a license, he asked? You bet. He and Al > patiently taught me CW and theory. I took the novice and was thrilled to > receive WN4APB. Ken, Rose and Al were all of 23 years old. I can't imagine > today's typical 23 year-old having the maturity and patience of putting up > with an impudent 13 year-old to teach him both science and life lessons. > > Without them, my life would have certainly been much different. Amateur > radio opened many doors. Immediately out of college, I was hired as a very > young federal agent most likely because of my radio expertise. Electronics > was becoming an important tool for federal law enforcement. I rose in the > ranks to supervisory criminal investigator and then chief of technical > operations due to that background. I went on to found and run a successful > broadcasting group. I probably would not have even gone to law school, > without the Kopp's influence. > > I maintained contact with Ken and Rose through the years. They remained the > dearest of people to me. Ken and I exchanged numerous emails, and had > several long telephone conversations about life and radio. Ken directed me > to my K-3. Rose made a custom cover for it. I am a life-long CW amateur > and that remains a passion of my life. I look forward to my K-4 and will > commemorate and think of Ken when I make that first K-4 contact. I knew Ken > was not well and did not want this day to come. > > Thanks Ken and Rose Kopp. 161 to you both. > > > > Taylor WA4APB > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k2vco.vic at gmail.com From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Sat Jul 3 04:33:14 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 01:33:14 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Ken Kopp K0PP In-Reply-To: References: <00d101d76f9c$7cb2e880$7618b980$@ihcounsel.com> Message-ID: On 7/2/2021 10:26 PM, Vic Rosenthal wrote: > What a beautiful tribute. > I too had a lot of help from 20-something hams when I was an annoying teenager. As a teenager wanting to be a ham, and later with my license, I got lots of help from guys who seemed old to me at the time. I'm guessing most were in their '50s, the oldest in their '60s. I'll be 80 in the fall, and have spent much of my life giving back. That's the spirit of ham radio, and of LIFE! 73, Jim K9YC From cajonze at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 07:53:35 2021 From: cajonze at gmail.com (C.A. Jones) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 07:53:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <0883d854-39fc-fc03-71a0-b28088cc9420@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> <20c318c5-93f1-8f4b-b51a-24e89ac297e8@w3fpr.com> <0883d854-39fc-fc03-71a0-b28088cc9420@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: FWIW, I plugged KXUSB into my Win10 Pro PC, and as reported by Dave WO2X, it operated as intended (communicating with KX3) w/o having to install drivers. Quite generally, my modus operandi with stuff like this is to just plug it in and try it before investigating possible additional required actions. 73 CJ - K2CZ On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 23:56 Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/2/2021 7:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > I would advise you to download and install the latest FTDI drivers from > > the FTDI website. > > My understanding is that Win 10 does no longer include the FTDI drivers. > > I just went through this on a new (to me) Windoze 10-64 machine that I > wanted to use for logging VHF. All the software installed, checked out, > but didn't bother to connect to K3. Ended up subbing another computer. > Tonight, did the troubleshooting after advice from my trusty computer > guru, who told me exactly this. I downloaded the drivers from FTDI, > pointed Windoze Update Driver to the folder where they were, hit next, > and they were installed. > > Without that driver, the USB to USB cable for the KPA1500 also didn't work. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to cajonze at gmail.com > From k1whs at metrocast.net Sat Jul 3 08:33:33 2021 From: k1whs at metrocast.net (David Olean) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 08:33:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <0883d854-39fc-fc03-71a0-b28088cc9420@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <60DFC584.6040807@mdodd.com> <20c318c5-93f1-8f4b-b51a-24e89ac297e8@w3fpr.com> <0883d854-39fc-fc03-71a0-b28088cc9420@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: <31a21476-4aed-62dd-51fe-24762de5fc91@metrocast.net> I have been adding several newish computers for ham radio to bring myself farther? into the 21st century. Lately Win 10 does not automatically install the FTDI adaptor. My latest computer as of about May 1st (brand new from Dell) did not load the driver when I plugged the FTDI adaptor in. I had to do it manually.? In the past it loaded all by itself. Dave K1WHS On 7/2/2021 11:55 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/2/2021 7:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> I would advise you to download and install the latest FTDI drivers >> from the FTDI website. >> My understanding is that Win 10 does no longer include the FTDI drivers. > > I just went through this on a new (to me) Windoze 10-64 machine that I > wanted to use for logging VHF. All the software installed, checked > out, but didn't bother to connect to K3. Ended up subbing another > computer. Tonight, did the troubleshooting after advice from my trusty > computer guru, who told me exactly this. I downloaded the drivers from > FTDI, pointed Windoze Update Driver to the folder where they were, hit > next, and they were installed. > > Without that driver, the USB to USB cable for the KPA1500 also didn't > work. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k1whs at metrocast.net From geoffreyf at comcast.net Sat Jul 3 08:48:01 2021 From: geoffreyf at comcast.net (Geoffrey Feldman) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 08:48:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR Filter improvement Message-ID: <030201d77009$a91aee50$fb50caf0$@comcast.net> My career has been in software/hardware systems including some with signal processing. Digital filters ultimately embody mathematical equations which operate on a matrix of samples represented as complex numbers. IQ stands for incident and quadrature, sine and cosine, real and imaginary or x and y. All are the same concept but different nomenclature as represented in memory. Connect to the IQ out of your Elecraft rig you are getting that stream as left and right base band audio. A sound card and a bit of software will convert that base band left and right to the numerical representations. From there you can implement whatever is actually possible in this technology as a software experiment on your own PC. Create your own SDR Radio using the Elecraft hardware and experiment with filters, create your own pan adapter or whatever. If successful you will have a prototype to share with Elecraft. What is more likely is that you will more fully appreciate the value you receive from Elecraft and all the hard work they did. It's not easy to improve on. Signal Processing ALWAYS involves some fairly hairy math and hairier software to implement it correctly as a real time experience. The filter you want may be one that actually can be implemented. Direct Conversion SDR is a great technology to reduce cost and/or size in relationship to a similarly good receiver. However, it has limitations which relate to artifacts from the sampling process and dividing a continuous stream of audio into "bins" or snapshots in the stream. Analog filters in the IF stage is still a factor in design and you will see hybrid SDR as an alternative to direct conversion designs. Similarly even in direct conversion, there are some RF pre-filters. This last bit, is argumentative and wise persons will differ. It's the same discussion as tubes/transistors or vinyl/cd's etc. in the audiophile world. A lot comes down to perception and how we personally discriminate what we hear, want to hear, don't want to hear. Additionally there is processing (digital or analog) of received audio, changing frequency response as an aid to this perception process. The Heil PRAS is a great example of that sort of processing. He has a terrific demo of that. Finally people with traditional hardware training find themselves at the deep end of the pool with all this talk of matrices of complex numbers. People with software training find themselves at the deep end of the pool with the pragmatics of actually getting RF into their world of 1's and 0's. It's fun to watch them trying to get along in a state of panic while in the deep end of the pool. Again, hats off to Elecraft for helping them all to swim and catch great products. Geoff W1GCF From rocketnj at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 11:35:51 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (David Decoons) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 11:35:51 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: <31a21476-4aed-62dd-51fe-24762de5fc91@metrocast.net> References: <31a21476-4aed-62dd-51fe-24762de5fc91@metrocast.net> Message-ID: <4A38DBC4-C760-4963-BDCB-D20A3EFC8CCE@gmail.com> Dell loads an OEM version of Windows 10, complete with their ?bloat ware?. I use a true Windows 10 Pro ISO from Microsoft, not the home version or OEM version. That may explain why some do not need drivers and others do. I just installed a fresh copy of full Windows 10 Pro (created USB installer downloaded from MS) onto an HP Z420 workstation. I plugged in the KXUSB cable and Windows automatically configured the com port. I did need drivers from HP for other hardware in the workstation. Best advice I can give you is plug in the cable and wait about 30 seconds to 1 minute to see if Windows detects the cable, if it doesn?t then download and install the driver. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my iPad > On Jul 3, 2021, at 8:35 AM, David Olean wrote: > > ?I have been adding several newish computers for ham radio to bring myself farther into the 21st century. Lately Win 10 does not automatically install the FTDI adaptor. My latest computer as of about May 1st (brand new from Dell) did not load the driver when I plugged the FTDI adaptor in. I had to do it manually. In the past it loaded all by itself. > > Dave K1WHS > >> On 7/2/2021 11:55 PM, Jim Brown wrote: >>> On 7/2/2021 7:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >>> I would advise you to download and install the latest FTDI drivers from the FTDI website. >>> My understanding is that Win 10 does no longer include the FTDI drivers. >> >> I just went through this on a new (to me) Windoze 10-64 machine that I wanted to use for logging VHF. All the software installed, checked out, but didn't bother to connect to K3. Ended up subbing another computer. Tonight, did the troubleshooting after advice from my trusty computer guru, who told me exactly this. I downloaded the drivers from FTDI, pointed Windoze Update Driver to the folder where they were, hit next, and they were installed. >> >> Without that driver, the USB to USB cable for the KPA1500 also didn't work. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k1whs at metrocast.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From mantz at toast.net Sat Jul 3 12:34:42 2021 From: mantz at toast.net (Toast) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 12:34:42 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit Issue Message-ID: <11D23480-3DB4-445B-B92D-A8540F0709ED@toast.net> I recently installed the second channel and general coverage receive options on my k3 with the 100w transmitter. I have double checked the settings but get now transmit power. Any ideas on what the issue is? Rob Mantz NR4B Sent from my iPhone From mlycan at eastlink.ca Sat Jul 3 14:03:33 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 15:03:33 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works Message-ID: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> Hi Don, I have discovered I installed K1 and K2 backwards. The location bar on each relay is facing in the opposite direction ("down") from the other relays. The manual Parts Placement Drawing clearly shows all relays oriented vertically must have the bar on the relay at the "top". I can't imagine why I did that. Unless the stenciling on the PCB is wrong (highly unlikely), then it's my fault for not following the manual. I can't see the PCB stenciling now since the relay covers it. This explains why I could not tune the 40 metre band. And probably explains other things I couldn't do too. I discovered this when I started measuring voltages around K1. This will be difficult to correct. The two relays are flush with the board. I can't cut them off since I have no access to their pins. I will need to solder suck and wick them out. Fortunately, their pins are not bent but straight through their solder pads. Any tips on removing them would be appreciated. I'm hoping these or similar parts are still available. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From wunder at wunderwood.org Sat Jul 3 14:22:55 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 11:22:55 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR Filter improvement In-Reply-To: <030201d77009$a91aee50$fb50caf0$@comcast.net> References: <030201d77009$a91aee50$fb50caf0$@comcast.net> Message-ID: <99DEF204-E114-4B84-9FE2-D77536FAAD2D@wunderwood.org> Two things about terminology. First, IQ is generally in-phase and quadrature. Also, what you are describing as direct conversion is commonly called direct sampling. The K4 is a direct sampling receiver. The KX2 and KX3 are direct conversion receivers, converting RF directly to baseband without an IF. The KX2 and KX3 are also SDRs, but with sampling at baseband. The filtering, demodulation, and modulation is done in software. This article has a nice bit of history about direct conversion receivers. https://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/Direct%20Conversion%20Receivers%20History%20-%20W7ZOI.pdf wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 3, 2021, at 5:48 AM, Geoffrey Feldman wrote: > > My career has been in software/hardware systems including some with signal > processing. Digital filters ultimately embody mathematical equations which > operate on a matrix of samples represented as complex numbers. IQ stands > for incident and quadrature, sine and cosine, real and imaginary or x and y. > All are the same concept but different nomenclature as represented in > memory. Connect to the IQ out of your Elecraft rig you are getting that > stream as left and right base band audio. A sound card and a bit of > software will convert that base band left and right to the numerical > representations. From there you can implement whatever is actually possible > in this technology as a software experiment on your own PC. Create your own > SDR Radio using the Elecraft hardware and experiment with filters, create > your own pan adapter or whatever. If successful you will have a prototype > to share with Elecraft. > > > > What is more likely is that you will more fully appreciate the value you > receive from Elecraft and all the hard work they did. It's not easy to > improve on. Signal Processing ALWAYS involves some fairly hairy math and > hairier software to implement it correctly as a real time experience. The > filter you want may be one that actually can be implemented. > > > > Direct Conversion SDR is a great technology to reduce cost and/or size in > relationship to a similarly good receiver. However, it has limitations > which relate to artifacts from the sampling process and dividing a > continuous stream of audio into "bins" or snapshots in the stream. Analog > filters in the IF stage is still a factor in design and you will see hybrid > SDR as an alternative to direct conversion designs. Similarly even in > direct conversion, there are some RF pre-filters. This last bit, is > argumentative and wise persons will differ. It's the same discussion as > tubes/transistors or vinyl/cd's etc. in the audiophile world. A lot comes > down to perception and how we personally discriminate what we hear, want to > hear, don't want to hear. Additionally there is processing (digital or > analog) of received audio, changing frequency response as an aid to this > perception process. The Heil PRAS is a great example of that sort of > processing. He has a terrific demo of that. > > > > Finally people with traditional hardware training find themselves at the > deep end of the pool with all this talk of matrices of complex numbers. > People with software training find themselves at the deep end of the pool > with the pragmatics of actually getting RF into their world of 1's and 0's. > It's fun to watch them trying to get along in a state of panic while in the > deep end of the pool. Again, hats off to Elecraft for helping them all to > swim and catch great products. > > > > Geoff > > W1GCF > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From don at w3fpr.com Sat Jul 3 15:22:43 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 15:22:43 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> References: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: <7dc61eda-51bb-a987-59a1-3308604efc93@w3fpr.com> Murray, Yes, Elecraft has those relays. If you do not have adequate desoldering gear, the the best way to remove them is to crush the case so you can remove the pins one at a time.? Clean up with solder wick and if solder remains in the holes, push it out with a wooden toothpick.? Use whatever tool works to crush the relay cases. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/3/2021 2:03 PM, VA1CQ wrote: > Hi Don, > > I have discovered I installed K1 and K2 backwards. The location bar on > each relay is facing in the opposite direction ("down") from the other > relays. The manual Parts Placement Drawing clearly shows all relays > oriented vertically must have the bar on the relay at the "top". I > can't imagine why I did that. Unless the stenciling on the PCB is > wrong (highly unlikely), then it's my fault for not following the > manual. I can't see the PCB stenciling now since the relay covers it. > > This explains why I could not tune the 40 metre band. And probably > explains other things I couldn't do too. I discovered this when I > started measuring voltages around K1. > > This will be difficult to correct. The two relays are flush with the > board. I can't cut them off since I have no access to their pins. I > will need to solder suck and wick them out. Fortunately, their pins > are not bent but straight through their solder pads. > > Any tips on removing them would be appreciated. I'm hoping these or > similar parts are still available. > > 73, > Murray VA1CQ > > > From frantz at pwpconsult.com Sat Jul 3 16:27:58 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 16:27:58 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I strongly suggest that with any OS, try it first. If it works, then you're done. If not then perhaps install a driver or take some other action. After a MacOS upgrade, I lost contact between my computer and K3. The cause turned out to be a driver I had installed. The new system had a FTDI driver, but it was overridden by my obsolete driver. Deleting the old driver fixed things. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/3/21 at 7:53 AM, cajonze at gmail.com (C.A. Jones) wrote: >FWIW, I plugged KXUSB into my Win10 Pro PC, and as reported by Dave WO2X, >it operated as intended (communicating with KX3) w/o having to install >drivers. > >Quite generally, my modus operandi with stuff like this is to just plug it >in and try it before investigating possible additional required actions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | The first thing you need when | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | using a perimeter defense is a | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | perimeter. | Peterborough, NH 03458 From arnett.drew at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 17:05:51 2021 From: arnett.drew at gmail.com (Drew Arnett) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 21:05:51 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. Thanks, Drew n7da On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on > the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that > is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: > https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf > > Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 > leads of their Y adapter cable: > https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ > > Drew > n7da > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Hi, > > > > In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA > > station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each > > other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup > > with a headset and foot switch. > > > > Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a > > transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna > > was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements > > at 10 feet above the ground. > > > > I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, > > when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was > > having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes > > with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set > > to 4. > > > > So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and > > increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, > > acts like positive feedback.) > > > > I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago > > from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to > > laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that > > in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. > > > > Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio > > problem or is it something else? > > > > Best practice to avoid this problem? > > > > On my todo list: > > - ask here > > - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic jack > > - ask Heil > > - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on > > instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio > > setup > > - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough > > to do with this little time > > before field day) > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great > > with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with > > the sporadic E opening Saturday afternoon & evening. From wunder at wunderwood.org Sat Jul 3 17:16:36 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 14:16:36 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <20E82DF9-9330-41F0-B604-0D9F1E922EFE@wunderwood.org> I don?t know how their Y cable is wired, but a simple wiring will tie the logic bias (mic buttons) and mic bias together. That gives a lower bias voltage and lower mic output for some mics. It also adds some noise, because the logic bias isn?t as clean as the mic bias. You can split out the mic bias with a stereo splitter. Details in this blog post: https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 3, 2021, at 2:05 PM, Drew Arnett wrote: > > No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a > workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if > possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now > that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. > > Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), > Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 > FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, > CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. > > With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or > whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. > > With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter > if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing > until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. > Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. > > This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: >> >> Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on >> the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that >> is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: >> https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf >> >> Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 >> leads of their Y adapter cable: >> https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ >> >> Drew >> n7da >> >> On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA >>> station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each >>> other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup >>> with a headset and foot switch. >>> >>> Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a >>> transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna >>> was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements >>> at 10 feet above the ground. >>> >>> I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, >>> when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was >>> having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes >>> with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set >>> to 4. >>> >>> So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and >>> increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, >>> acts like positive feedback.) >>> >>> I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago >>> from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to >>> laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that >>> in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. >>> >>> Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio >>> problem or is it something else? >>> >>> Best practice to avoid this problem? >>> >>> On my todo list: >>> - ask here >>> - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic jack >>> - ask Heil >>> - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on >>> instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio >>> setup >>> - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough >>> to do with this little time >>> before field day) >>> >>> Thanks and best regards, >>> >>> Drew >>> n7da >>> >>> ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great >>> with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with >>> the sporadic E opening Saturday afternoon & evening. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From doug49707 at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 17:35:53 2021 From: doug49707 at gmail.com (doug dietz) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 17:35:53 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on wsjt-x Message-ID: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> Guys I have k3 with all the options available except finals. I have installed the ftdi driver. The receiver sends frequency and decodes wsjt signals correctly. In the wsjt program the cat test turns green and the ptt works ok. When I call cq the transmitter is keyed but no power is sent out. I think I?m in the wrong mode. Any suggestions. I cannot get it to ?data a?? HELP WD8Z. Doug Sent from my iPhone From dave at nk7z.net Sat Jul 3 18:20:53 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 15:20:53 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on wsjt-x In-Reply-To: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> References: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> Message-ID: Hi Doug, I transmit using DATA-A mode. You might also check to be sure you have your computer audio feeding the active input port on the K3. If you get really stuck, send me a not off list, and one of us can call the other, and I can talk you thought rig setup. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/3/21 2:35 PM, doug dietz wrote: > Guys > I have k3 with all the options available except finals. I have installed the ftdi driver. The receiver sends frequency and decodes wsjt signals correctly. In the wsjt program the cat test turns green and the ptt works ok. When I call cq the transmitter is keyed but no power is sent out. I think I?m in the wrong mode. Any suggestions. I cannot get it to ?data a?? HELP > WD8Z. Doug > > Sent from my iPhone > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > From dave at nk7z.net Sat Jul 3 18:22:54 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 15:22:54 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on wsjt-x In-Reply-To: References: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> Message-ID: <80f006d9-0c0d-9376-fb2a-c0ccad1d8ae6@nk7z.net> To get to DATA-A, use the DATA MD button, it is the long press of AFX. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/3/21 3:20 PM, Dave wrote: > Hi Doug, > I transmit using DATA-A mode.? You might also check to be sure you have > your computer audio feeding the active input port on the K3. > > If you get really stuck, send me a not off list, and one of us can call > the other, and I can talk you thought rig setup. > > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > > On 7/3/21 2:35 PM, doug dietz wrote: >> Guys >> I have k3 with all the options available except finals. I have >> installed the ftdi driver. The receiver sends frequency and decodes >> wsjt signals correctly.?? In the wsjt program the cat test turns green >> and the ptt? works ok. When I call cq the transmitter is keyed but no >> power is sent out. I think I?m in the wrong mode. Any? suggestions. I >> cannot get it to ?data a??? HELP >> WD8Z. Doug >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net From frantz at pwpconsult.com Sat Jul 3 18:22:47 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 18:22:47 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on wsjt-x In-Reply-To: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> Message-ID: It sounds like your audio is not getting to the K3. There are many places it can get lost, including wsjt-x, the selection of output devices in wsjt-x, the OS audio chain (seen frequently in Windows, but also other OSes), and in the K3 -- are you sure your computer is connected to the transmit audio. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/3/21 at 5:35 PM, doug49707 at gmail.com (doug dietz) wrote: >I have k3 with all the options available except finals. I have >installed the ftdi driver. The receiver sends frequency and >decodes wsjt signals correctly. In the wsjt program the cat >test turns green and the ptt works ok. When I call cq the >transmitter is keyed but no power is sent out. I think I?m in >the wrong mode. Any suggestions. I cannot get it to ?data >a?? HELP ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | When an old person dies, a | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | library burns. - Joe McGawon | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | Irish Ethnographer | Peterborough, NH 03458 From f.belliveau at comcast.net Sat Jul 3 19:03:08 2021 From: f.belliveau at comcast.net (Francis Belliveau) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 19:03:08 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature In-Reply-To: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> References: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> Message-ID: <99A065C1-C88A-4A91-B33D-E2FBC57EA60D@comcast.net> Another rule of thumb for those who care. When you hold a finger on something and it is 10 seconds to pain threshold, that location is about 100 degrees F. This is not an absolute constant, but I have checked it a few times since I was told that, and it seems to be true for me. > On Jun 30, 2021, at 21:36, Geoffrey Feldman wrote: > > My rule of thumb is that if you can keep your finger on it for a second or > so without pain, it's not too hot. > > > > The ambient temperature is really not the issue as much as whether heat is > carried off. I know it's hot in the pacific northwest but I think you can > still enjoy your gear. The larger issue is RFI from air conditioners. > > > > The environmental consideration many people neglect is atmospheric pressure. > As altitude increases, there is less air to carry the heat away. People > sometimes install fans with an idea to sucking out the heat. This is > actually wrong. The fan should blow ambient air in and the venting for it to > get out should intend that pressure inside the case be a bit higher than the > ambient pressure. More molecules against the hot part, the better. If you > read the fine print on electronic specifications you will often (and should > always) see an atmospheric spec with the heat spec. > > > > All the above is just rule-of-thumb of course. There is a lot more to > cooling electronics than the above but I think these are worth considering. > > > > Elecraft gear is pretty good at protecting itself as well. If your radio > cuts out, it's doing its job of living for more fun later. > > > > W1GCF > > Geoff > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to f.belliveau at comcast.net From mlycan at eastlink.ca Sat Jul 3 19:06:57 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 20:06:57 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <7dc61eda-51bb-a987-59a1-3308604efc93@w3fpr.com> References: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> <7dc61eda-51bb-a987-59a1-3308604efc93@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: Don, I took your advice and crushed those two relays. Even doing that, it was tough enough to get both relays out and clean out the solder pad holes. It's done and the K2 is ready for me to pop in two new relays. I even used a couple toothpicks in the process. I confirmed the stenciled outlines were correct on the PCB. I've been on the Elecraft site and I've got my shopping cart ready with those relays plus a few other spare parts. I powered up the K2 with the two missing relays. Of course, 80 and 40 metres don't work as expected. But every band from 30 to 10 metres seems to be working perfectly now in both receive and transmit. I've never been so happy to hear QRM and band noise. The DX is rolling in. The trimmer caps work just as they are supposed to in the bandpass filters for 20, 17 and 12 metres. A side benefit is I sure know the K2 circuits better now than I did a few days ago after all the time I spent studying the schematics. I will push on building the various accessories I have while I wait for my order to arrive from Elecraft so I can complete the K2 build. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From don at w3fpr.com Sat Jul 3 19:10:46 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 19:10:46 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 on wsjt-x In-Reply-To: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> References: <1FF4287B-19D1-4037-8794-C8839776A0F9@gmail.com> Message-ID: <112b64d3-155e-506d-b8cb-8059d43337eb@w3fpr.com> Doug, You have had suggestions on this reflector on how to get in DATA A mode. As far as audio levels are concerned, I have an article on my website www.w3fpr.com that may be helpful. Scroll the left column to the last entry and click to open the document. Bottom line is that you must have 4 bars solid on the ALC meter with the 5th bar flashing.? You may have up to 3 audio level controls to work with.? It is best to start with them all set to mid-range, then adjust from there. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/3/2021 5:35 PM, doug dietz wrote: > Guys > I have k3 with all the options available except finals. I have installed the ftdi driver. The receiver sends frequency and decodes wsjt signals correctly. In the wsjt program the cat test turns green and the ptt works ok. When I call cq the transmitter is keyed but no power is sent out. I think I?m in the wrong mode. Any suggestions. I cannot get it to ?data a?? HELP > WD8Z. Doug > From mike at mdodd.com Sat Jul 3 19:22:21 2021 From: mike at mdodd.com (Mike Dodd) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 19:22:21 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] FTDI driver on Win10 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <60E0F12D.4090101@mdodd.com> Thanks for all the info and advice, both here and off-list. I will install the current driver from the FTDI website. I've done it several times for Elecraft and astronomy equipment, and it's easy. No reason not to do it. 73, Mike N4CF From forums at david-woolley.me.uk Sat Jul 3 19:52:29 2021 From: forums at david-woolley.me.uk (David Woolley) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 00:52:29 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature In-Reply-To: <99A065C1-C88A-4A91-B33D-E2FBC57EA60D@comcast.net> References: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> <99A065C1-C88A-4A91-B33D-E2FBC57EA60D@comcast.net> Message-ID: 100?F is well within the survivable body core temperature range, so it should never trigger pain receptors. In fact, I believe it was defined based on the nominal core body temperature of a cow. Did you mean 100?C? -- David Woolley On 04/07/2021 00:03, Francis Belliveau wrote: > Another rule of thumb for those who care. > > When you hold a finger on something and it is 10 seconds to pain threshold, that location is about 100 degrees F. > This is not an absolute constant, but I have checked it a few times since I was told that, and it seems to be true for me. From jerry at tr2.com Sat Jul 3 19:57:12 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Sat, 03 Jul 2021 16:57:12 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> References: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: On 2021-07-03 11:03, VA1CQ wrote: > Any tips on removing them would be appreciated. *** Crush them with a pair of pointy vise-grips? Of course, I'd try desoldering them first. Hold the heat on a bit longer than seems necessary, because you need to melt that solder all the way to the other side of the board. When the hole is nice and clean around the pin, take your needlenose pliers and wiggle the pin back & forth. You'll be able to tell when it's really free. The main catastrophe to avoid is tearing out the plated through hole. If you don't have one, it's hard to beat a Soldapullt. Get a real one, not a clone. - Jerry KF6VB From don at w3fpr.com Sat Jul 3 20:33:33 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 20:33:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: Jerry, I have had only marginal success with the Soldapullt, but I have a Hakko 808 that works very well - with the correct tip it does the job nicely - it heats and then you pull the trigger to extract the solder.? Not inexpensive, but when I was doing repairs on a daily basis, it was a godsend. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/3/2021 7:57 PM, jerry wrote: > On 2021-07-03 11:03, VA1CQ wrote: >> Any tips on removing them would be appreciated. > > *** Crush them with a pair of pointy vise-grips?? Of course, I'd try > desoldering them first.? Hold the heat on a bit longer than seems > necessary, because you need to melt that solder all the way to the > other side of the board.? When the hole is nice and clean around the pin, > take your needlenose pliers and wiggle the pin back & forth. You'll be > able to tell when it's really free.? The main catastrophe to avoid is > tearing out the plated through hole. > > ? If you don't have one, it's hard to beat a Soldapullt.? Get a real > one, not a clone. > > ??????????? - Jerry KF6VB > > From geoffreyf at comcast.net Sat Jul 3 21:01:45 2021 From: geoffreyf at comcast.net (Geoffrey Feldman) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 21:01:45 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR Technology Message-ID: <035301d77070$2942ca10$7bc85e30$@comcast.net> Hi Walter, In response to your comments on my post, the terminology you use and that I used both appear in various texts to describe the same thing. Not surprising, we both know what one another mean. I prefer incident because quadrature is in relationship to that. An AM signal would appear on the incident stream. Quadrature then is necessary for most (all) of the other modulation schemes. In software the in-phase or incident stream appears as the real part of the complex number. That fits with the idea of incident for me. Tomato tomatoe. Actually I meant direct conversion. I was referring broadly to SDR but thinking of the KX3 which I own and not the K4 which I am less familiar with. I'll have to look at the K4 more carefully but it sounds like its architecture is what I called Hybrid. That would make sense given its price point and less portable size along with better performance. Would you then consider the Yaesu FTDX-101D as more similar to your understanding of the K4 architecture (excepting the yaesu rather goofy interface, in my personal opinion). I expect it's not exactly the same but how would you compare them from an SDR perspective? Getting from RF to base band and back to RF is relatively straight forward. The interesting stuff IMHO is Fast Fourier, Filters and other fun software stuff. In responding to a list serve, we are writing off the cuff. If one understands the other and then has useful discussion, it's good for me. I will look over the books I have and review using whatever the more common and clear terminology is. I'm by no means an expert and I am learning myself. My primary interest is in system architectures. My interests go beyond Elecraft. I seek a taxonomy of SDR implementations which might be helpful in comparing products or understanding innovations. Thanks for the link. I was aware of that among other sources. Here is one that I have found helpful: Practical Signal Processing by Mark Owen. I am sure you know this link: https://greatscottgadgets.com/sdr/ He mentions Owen's book as well. This is also quite good with a discussion of the Tayloe mixer/detector (again two used terms). https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/020708qex013.pdf Here is a discussion of Tayloe that I think is helpful http://www.norcalqrp.org/files/Tayloe_mixer_x3a.pdf As for history, if you look at John Renshaw Carson's original paper on SSB you will see the concepts of IQ in his calculus. Here is Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-sideband_modulation Fun fact, there is a picture of Einstein, Sarnoff, Steinmetz and others with someone often falsely claimed to be Tesla. It isn't. It's Carson. Geoff W1GCF From k5wa at comcast.net Sat Jul 3 23:31:03 2021 From: k5wa at comcast.net (K5WA) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 22:31:03 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit Issue Message-ID: <007001d77085$04d295b0$0e77c110$@comcast.net> Rob, Hopefully, you'll get better answers from others but I'm going to guess that you meant a 2nd (SUB) receiver and not a "second channel". I have installed three 2nd receivers in the K3s I used to own and you need to make sure all the coax cables are well seated into their proper ports. It is very easy to think it is engaged but it just isn't inserted quite enough. You also need to make sure the center pins of those cable are not bent if someone has pressed too hard while misaligned. I'll assume you also have the upgraded SYNTH boards (one for the main RX and another for the SUB) as well because those cables need to be fully seated in the correct ports. It is easy to look at the installation picture up-side-down and get the cables backwards. Double check those. The second receiver also has a row of pins underneath it that can be misaligned since it is almost a blind insertion. Make sure those pins are correctly engaged. You might need a dental mirror type device to actually see it under there. If you also have the KAT3 tuner, that's another cable that needs to be checked to ensure it is seated completely and not missing entirely. I'm sure you'll find the issue after some poking around looking for loose connections. Good luck, Bob K5WA Message: 9 Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 12:34:42 -0400 From: Toast > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit Issue Message-ID: <11D23480-3DB4-445B-B92D-A8540F0709ED at toast.net > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I recently installed the second channel and general coverage receive options on my k3 with the 100w transmitter. I have double checked the settings but get now transmit power. Any ideas on what the issue is? Rob Mantz NR4B From cajonze at gmail.com Sat Jul 3 23:44:45 2021 From: cajonze at gmail.com (C.A. Jones) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 23:44:45 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature In-Reply-To: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> References: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> Message-ID: Ahh, well, a few comments clarifications, from a guy with 38 years of experience (HVAC/mechanical and controls engineering) with Carrier air conditioning. Opening comment (not really my area of expertise, but I do have moderate relevant experience), the heat pain threshold is quite variable (between individuals, and depending on time of day and LOTS of other factors), and the touch test is probably not a reliable predictor of whether the radio is "too hot". My perception is that the Elecraft radios are thermally well protected, but if really concerned, I think measuring temp with an IR sensor and comparing it against published limits might be a preferred approach to assessing it. As to atmospheric pressure and altitude, these are really separate variables. While there is a functional relationship between them, it's not so strong that for most normal activities (i.e. unless the plan is to climb K2, Everest or similar) it shouldn't be a significant factor in the discussion. And FWIW, temp generally decreases with increasing altitude, which then of course lessens an overheating problem by increasing the heat transfer driving delta-T. As to whether it's better to install fans in a blow-thru or a draw-thru configuration, there's no clear winner for this type of electronics cooling application. If condensation was an issue (it's not), the distinction between these might become significant. Given that, the decision between these would generally be based on the mechanical layout and on related testing meant to insure that specific components remain sufficiently cool in worst case conditions. (BTW, no way one could hold his finger on a smooth 100C surface for 10 seconds, and no way that same surface at 100F would rise above the heat pain threshold in 10 sec.) Chris Jones - K2CZ On Wed, Jun 30, 2021 at 9:37 PM Geoffrey Feldman wrote: > My rule of thumb is that if you can keep your finger on it for a second or > so without pain, it's not too hot. > > > > The ambient temperature is really not the issue as much as whether heat is > carried off. I know it's hot in the pacific northwest but I think you can > still enjoy your gear. The larger issue is RFI from air conditioners. > > > > The environmental consideration many people neglect is atmospheric > pressure. > As altitude increases, there is less air to carry the heat away. People > sometimes install fans with an idea to sucking out the heat. This is > actually wrong. The fan should blow ambient air in and the venting for it > to > get out should intend that pressure inside the case be a bit higher than > the > ambient pressure. More molecules against the hot part, the better. If you > read the fine print on electronic specifications you will often (and should > always) see an atmospheric spec with the heat spec. > > > > All the above is just rule-of-thumb of course. There is a lot more to > cooling electronics than the above but I think these are worth considering. > > > > Elecraft gear is pretty good at protecting itself as well. If your radio > cuts out, it's doing its job of living for more fun later. > > > > W1GCF > > Geoff > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to cajonze at gmail.com > From kevinr at coho.net Sat Jul 3 23:54:47 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2021 20:54:47 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement Message-ID: Good Evening, ?? The week began with very hot weather.? It peaked on Tuesday at 110 degrees.? Luckily no one started a fire.? I coped by eating jalapenos and drinking a lot of water.? Then it slacked off.? Two days later the clouds came back with morning fog.? It did get to 82 today but it felt very nice. ??? The sun tossed a CME at us but almost missed.? Solar flux is up to 95 sfu.? I was hoping it would go over 100 too.? The bands should be a little stronger with the normal summer noise.? I received three runs of coax this week.? Now to craft three more antennas.? The broken antennas are ready to become radials.? The main problem with those is all the slash lying around.? However, no one says radials have to be totally radial.? They just need to form a ground plane so a few zigs and zags to avoid large branches should be OK.? That being said it is my only option so it will work; it is simply a matter of how well. Please join us on (or near): 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) ? 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) ?? 73, ????? Kevin. KD5ONS - ? There is a bird who enjoys singing from the top of one of the large hemlock trees in the backyard.? I have not been able to see him, only hear him.? I decided to record him which brought up the question of how.? Audacity is installed on three of my computers, two of them being laptops.? So I grabbed one of those and took it out back.? I captured twenty minutes of him calling while bees worked the thimble berry blossoms.? The built in microphones were fine, I did not need to use my separate mikes.? The tracks all had wind noise so I used the app's equalizer to mute it.? I could have used other tools to normalize the recording but only added a little compression. ? Now I can listen to my mystery bird as I search through the Cornell recordings.? The best I can guess so far is it is a warbler.? Its call had between five and sixteen phrases in it. Only the first four are stable, the rest are variations with the occasional mimic of neighboring birds.? If only I could sort sound files then I could write a search algorithm to match my bird.? A view of him in flight, or any sort of field sign would be nice too.? It may be a long quest. https://www.audacityteam.org From mlycan at eastlink.ca Sun Jul 4 07:20:34 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 08:20:34 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: <60b16951-b484-2994-2655-4acf8bdbefbd@eastlink.ca> Message-ID: Jerry, I tried briefly to remove the relay for re-use. I decided quickly, however, after starting with my equipment on hand and skill level, it made more sense to go for full demolition since the cost of replacement is low. I will keep your method in mind for future. I have found when removing a 2-pin device that rocking the device back and forth while heating works to remove 1 pin followed by heating the other pin, rocking and pulling out the device. My current solder sucker is OK but not up the task of removing a multipin device like these relays. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From w8lmg1944 at gmail.com Sun Jul 4 10:06:19 2021 From: w8lmg1944 at gmail.com (Mac Gray) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 10:06:19 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 Operating Temp Message-ID: Given the starting point is the ambient temp in your shack, what temperatures are you observing on your KPA-1500 when operating FT8? Another way of saying this is how many degrees above the ambient while tx on FT8? -- *Mac Gray-W8LMG * From cw4ever4 at juno.com Sun Jul 4 13:49:57 2021 From: cw4ever4 at juno.com (cw4ever4 at juno.com) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 13:49:57 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Key Out spec Message-ID: Hello I need the voltage and current ratings on the K4 Key Out interface. Have a home brew amp that might be exceeding the K4 switching device ratings. And I don't want to let the smoke out. Hi 73 Bob W1XP ____________________________________________________________ Choose to be safer online. Opt-in to Cyber Safety with NortonLifeLock. Plans starting as low as $6.95 per month.* https://store.netzero.net/account/showService.do?serviceId=nz-nLifeLock&utm_source=mktg&utm_medium=taglines&utm_campaign=nzlifelk_launch&utm_content=tag695&promoCode=A34454 From cw4ever4 at juno.com Sun Jul 4 13:37:22 2021 From: cw4ever4 at juno.com (cw4ever4 at juno.com) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 13:37:22 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Key Message-ID: ____________________________________________________________ Choose to be safer online. Opt-in to Cyber Safety with NortonLifeLock. Plans starting as low as $6.95 per month.* https://store.netzero.net/account/showService.do?serviceId=nz-nLifeLock&utm_source=mktg&utm_medium=taglines&utm_campaign=nzlifelk_launch&utm_content=tag695&promoCode=A34454 From john at johnjeanantiqueradio.com Sun Jul 4 15:13:36 2021 From: john at johnjeanantiqueradio.com (John K9UWA) Date: Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:13:36 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Remoting an Elecraft K4 radio with N4PY Software Message-ID: <60E20860.15772.835F2BD5@john.johnjeanantiqueradio.com> Carl N4PY has Pegasus Plus ready for Elecraft K4 radios. All you need other than Carl's program is a VPN like Teamviewer or Splashtop Streamer to get from your remote computer to your radio computer. I myself John K9UWA have K4D radio #132 Click up Carl's website. http://www.n4py.com/ The new software is on his test page. Go to Carl's website at www.n4py.com. Then click on "More" and select the test page. Download and install n4py444C.exe beta version 4.44C. This has all the K4 changes. To configure the program for the Elecraft K4 over ethernet: a) Start the program. b) Select "Settings" at the top of the Radio screen. c) In the "Interface" window, select "Elecraft K4 Ethernet". d) Exit Pegasus Plus. e) Restart Pegasus Plus. f) In the K4, use the K4 menu to find the IP Address. g) In Pegasus, in the interface settings window, put in the IP Address in the "Radio IP" edit box. h) Exit and restart Pegasus Plus again and you should be running. 73, Carl Moreschi N4PY 127 River Moss Way Hertford, NC 27944 www.n4py.com 73 John k9uwa John Goller, K9UWA & Jean Goller, N9PXF Antique Radio Restorations k9uwa at arrl.net Visit our Web Site at: http://www.JohnJeanAntiqueRadio.com 4836 Ranch Road Leo, IN 46765 USA 1-260-637-6426 From repoma6103 at aol.com Sun Jul 4 15:28:36 2021 From: repoma6103 at aol.com (Jim Weatherford) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 19:28:36 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 and excessive drive References: <109551091.758170.1625426916515.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <109551091.758170.1625426916515@mail.yahoo.com> Last night I was trying to work 80m for the first time in a while, and my KPA500 faulted. I was tired, and didn't pay attention to the fault code but simply cleared it and tried again. After a couple of rounds of this, I smelled something burning and shut off the amp for the night. This morning I realized that the K3 output power was set to 100W on 80m even when the KPA500 was in operate mode, which explains the "06 PWRIN HI" codes when I looked at the fault table. Uh oh! Luckily, it looks like I'm still getting full power out on all other bands, so I believe the finals are OK, and I probably smoked components in the 80m portion of the KPA500 LPF bank. Any thoughts as to which components are most likely to be damaged by excessive input power? Should I simply replace all 8 caps and 3 inductors? 73,Jim WU6K From va3mw at portcredit.net Sun Jul 4 16:10:42 2021 From: va3mw at portcredit.net (Michael Walker) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 16:10:42 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 and excessive drive In-Reply-To: <109551091.758170.1625426916515@mail.yahoo.com> References: <109551091.758170.1625426916515.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <109551091.758170.1625426916515@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: You likely blew one of the Caps in the Low Pass filter. If you open it up and have a look, you will clearly see the damage. I've seen this done before on a friends that I had to repair for him. I just replaced the blown parts and then swept it with a VNA to ensure it was still operational. Mike va3mw On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 3:29 PM Jim Weatherford via Elecraft < elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote: > Last night I was trying to work 80m for the first time in a while, and my > KPA500 faulted. I was tired, and didn't pay attention to the fault code but > simply cleared it and tried again. After a couple of rounds of this, I > smelled something burning and shut off the amp for the night. > This morning I realized that the K3 output power was set to 100W on 80m > even when the KPA500 was in operate mode, which explains the "06 PWRIN HI" > codes when I looked at the fault table. Uh oh! > Luckily, it looks like I'm still getting full power out on all other > bands, so I believe the finals are OK, and I probably smoked components in > the 80m portion of the KPA500 LPF bank. Any thoughts as to which components > are most likely to be damaged by excessive input power? Should I simply > replace all 8 caps and 3 inductors? > 73,Jim WU6K > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to va3mw at portcredit.net > From f.belliveau at comcast.net Sun Jul 4 18:46:32 2021 From: f.belliveau at comcast.net (Francis Belliveau) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 18:46:32 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature In-Reply-To: References: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> <99A065C1-C88A-4A91-B33D-E2FBC57EA60D@comcast.net> Message-ID: All, I am taking this off-list since it is so far off topic. What I said seems to have been somewhat misinterpreted. 1. "Threshold of pain" means it starts to hurt, not "I can't stand it any more". 2. The surface temperature of a child's forehead when running a fever of 106 degrees is less than 100 degrees. The 106 is an internal temperature. 3. This is a "rule of thumb", not an absolute. Run the experiment yourself: * Come up with a way to measure the temperature of a hot surface. Maybe an over window could be used, but you need to measure the surface temperature. Using a forehead thermometer will not work since it has bee calibrated to read internal temperature based on the cooler external temperature. * Heat the surface to 99 degrees and see how it feels. * Then try it again at 100 or 101 degrees. Yes, individuals can handle much hotter temperatures. I once saw somebody reach into a hot fish-frier and come out unburned; but he had been working in the frying industry for years and had built up the ability to to that. This "rule of thumb" is based on a "normal average". 73, Fran > On Jul 3, 2021, at 19:52, David Woolley wrote: > > 100?F is well within the survivable body core temperature range, so it should never trigger pain receptors. > > In fact, I believe it was defined based on the nominal core body temperature of a cow. > > Did you mean 100?C? > > -- > David Woolley > > > On 04/07/2021 00:03, Francis Belliveau wrote: >> Another rule of thumb for those who care. >> When you hold a finger on something and it is 10 seconds to pain threshold, that location is about 100 degrees F. >> This is not an absolute constant, but I have checked it a few times since I was told that, and it seems to be true for me. > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to f.belliveau at comcast.net From louandzip at yahoo.com Sun Jul 4 19:01:23 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 23:01:23 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature In-Reply-To: References: <022d01d76e19$81ce2ed0$856a8c70$@comcast.net> <99A065C1-C88A-4A91-B33D-E2FBC57EA60D@comcast.net> Message-ID: <1806751761.546596.1625439683022@mail.yahoo.com> In years past, we had a spec where 60C was the the hottest temp allowable on any exposed accessible surface.? On a metal surface with high thermal conductivity and significant thermal mass (e.g. aluminum heat sink), it feels very warm to the touch, only starts to cause pain after many seconds, and causes pain long before causing injury.? That spec might be codified in some safety standards somewhere. A piece of wood or plastic at 60C just feel warm.? Heat and temperature are very different.? They have different dimensions and units. Lou W7HV On Sunday, July 4, 2021, 4:47:36 PM MDT, Francis Belliveau wrote: All, I am taking this off-list since it is so far off topic. What I said seems to have been somewhat misinterpreted.? 1. "Threshold of pain" means it starts to hurt, not "I can't stand it any more". 2. The surface temperature of a child's forehead when running a fever of 106 degrees is less than 100 degrees.? The 106 is an internal temperature. 3. This is a "rule of thumb", not an absolute.? Run the experiment yourself: ? * Come up with a way to measure the temperature of a hot surface.? Maybe an over window could be used, but you need to measure the surface temperature.? Using a forehead thermometer will not work since it has bee calibrated to read internal temperature based on the cooler external temperature. ? * Heat the surface to 99 degrees and see how it feels. ? * Then try it again at 100 or 101 degrees. Yes, individuals can handle much hotter temperatures.? I once saw somebody reach into a hot fish-frier and come out unburned; but he had been working in the frying industry for years and had built up the ability to to that. This "rule of thumb" is based on a "normal average". 73, Fran > On Jul 3, 2021, at 19:52, David Woolley wrote: > > 100?F is well within the survivable body core temperature range, so it should never trigger pain receptors. > > In fact, I believe it was defined based on the nominal core body temperature of a cow. > > Did you mean 100?C? > > -- > David Woolley > > > On 04/07/2021 00:03, Francis Belliveau wrote: >> Another rule of thumb for those who care. >> When you hold a finger on something and it is 10 seconds to pain threshold, that location is about 100 degrees F. >> This is not an absolute constant, but I have checked it a few times since I was told that, and it seems to be true for me. > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to f.belliveau at comcast.net ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From dick.bingham at gmail.com Sun Jul 4 19:37:03 2021 From: dick.bingham at gmail.com (Dick Bingham) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 16:37:03 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle Message-ID: Greetings to everyone I am just getting started interconnecting my Apache-Labs ANAN-7000dle to a KPA500, KTA500 and my DELL E6510 laptop for a base-station I can operate remotely from another QTH. Before I order several from Elecraft, does anyone have E850463 Aux Interface cables that are surplus to you, you are willing to sell? These are the 15-pin "D" connectors fitted with male and female thumb-screw-attached connectors ? Contact me off-line at the email address shown above. 73 Dick/w7wkr From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Sun Jul 4 20:10:48 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 17:10:48 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Dick, Before you try to buy on the internet, note that generic VGA cables will NOT work, because for use with Elecraft, all the pins are used, while on VGA cables, a lot of the pins are bused together as a common return. 73, Jim K9YC On 7/4/2021 4:37 PM, Dick Bingham wrote: > Greetings to everyone > > I am just getting started interconnecting my Apache-Labs ANAN-7000dle > to a KPA500, KTA500 and my DELL E6510 laptop for a base-station I > can operate remotely from another QTH. > > Before I order several from Elecraft, does anyone have E850463 Aux Interface > cables that are surplus to you, you are willing to sell? These are the > 15-pin "D" > connectors fitted with male and female thumb-screw-attached connectors ? From k8tb at bosscher.org Sun Jul 4 21:42:56 2021 From: k8tb at bosscher.org (Tom) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 21:42:56 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0f282eae-5682-40ff-e3a5-166ce696a7f0@bosscher.org> If you are looking for true, all 15 wires run independently cables, look at the HD-15 male-female cables by Winford: https://www.winford.com/products/ext15hd.php Their breakout connectors are great for wiring up other projects. When I had one of my K3's at a remote base, I used one of their breakout connectors on the HD-15 jack so I could easily get at the band decode pins. Tom K8TB From kevinr at coho.net Mon Jul 5 00:34:57 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 21:34:57 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report Message-ID: Good Evening, ?? Conditions were poor to OK on both bands.? QSB was slow and moderately deep.? Summer storms were quite evident on 40 meters. Hopefully someone is getting rain, not heat lightning.? Hot and dry in most places.? Here there is heavy dew from the morning fog.? It may be enough to stave off any fire danger for tonight's incendiary displays.? The booming has begun. ?? My mystery bird is being elusive.? I found one recording with a similar song.? However, my bird is in the background, not the one singing lead.? I've listened to each of the mimicking birds with no luck.? I'm glad I made the recording because he has not returned after our recent heatwave.? The bird songs and the bees make a good background track for a number of uses.? While Audacity can be used to create multi-tracked recordings, I use it only to record and equalize.? I use the Openshot video editor for the final cuts.? That way I can add titles, stills, and moving images. ? On 14050.5 kHz at 2200z: K0DTJ - Brian - CA W0CZ - Ken - ND K6XK - Roy - IA ? On 7047.5 kHz at 0000z: WM5F - Dwight - ID K0DTJ - Brian - CA K6PJV - Dale - CA ?? Until next week stay well and don't start any fires, ????? Kevin.? KD5ONS - Proposed antennas: resonant inverted Vs for 20 and 40 meters plus an inverted L over a ground plane. How do I connect all of the radial wires so it is not a mess apt to corrode?? I've seen metal disks with multiple bolts around the circumference.? How about soldering them to a copper loop instead?? I could put this radial manifold into a plastic container with weep holes.? That will decrease the rate of corrosion.? Any hints? KJR From albin.stigo at gmail.com Mon Jul 5 09:32:50 2021 From: albin.stigo at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?B?QWxiaW4gU3RpZ8O2?=) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 15:32:50 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] K2s looking for a new home Message-ID: Hi, I have 2 K2s immaculately built and documented by Clemed Nilsson SM7DRH (sadly SK). I received them in a trade. I repaired them (swapped 2 latching relays and replaced 2 potentiometers) and tested them and they work very well. Serial no: 288 (pretty much all extra options that I'm aware of including a Heil mic and internal ATU and CAT) and a firmware update. Serial no: 5183 no extras Because of other projects I don't get to use them as much as they deserve. I don't know if there's still any interest in these rigs? But it'd be nice if someone could put them to better use than I can. If you are interested, give me a fair offer/trade and I'm willing to part with them. QTH is G?teborg southwest Sweden. Kind regards, Albin SM6WJM From jackbrindle at me.com Mon Jul 5 12:48:46 2021 From: jackbrindle at me.com (Jack Brindle) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 11:48:46 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Do you really need the 15-pin AUXIO cable? The ANAN doesn?t speak Auxbus, so unless it outputs the BCD signals that the KPA500 (but not the KAT500) uses, then the AuxIO cable won?t do you any good. Remember, the KPA and KAT do not communicate. Instead you will need a pair of phono to phono cables for the PTT signal, and perhaps a serial cable to go to the KPA500 if the ANAN speaks Kenwood protocol. Take a very good look at the current KPA500 manual for more information, and make sure you can use the AUXIO cables before investing in them. 73, Jack, W6FB > On Jul 4, 2021, at 6:37 PM, Dick Bingham wrote: > > Greetings to everyone > > I am just getting started interconnecting my Apache-Labs ANAN-7000dle > to a KPA500, KTA500 and my DELL E6510 laptop for a base-station I > can operate remotely from another QTH. > > Before I order several from Elecraft, does anyone have E850463 Aux Interface > cables that are surplus to you, you are willing to sell? These are the > 15-pin "D" > connectors fitted with male and female thumb-screw-attached connectors ? > > Contact me off-line at the email address shown above. > > 73 Dick/w7wkr > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jackbrindle at me.com From tberry1 at triad.rr.com Mon Jul 5 13:05:20 2021 From: tberry1 at triad.rr.com (Tom Berry) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 13:05:20 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 7/5/2021 12:48 PM, Jack Brindle via Elecraft wrote: > Do you really need the 15-pin AUXIO cable? The ANAN doesn?t speak Auxbus, so unless it outputs the BCD signals that the KPA500 (but not the KAT500) uses, then the AuxIO cable won?t do you any good. Remember, the KPA and KAT do not communicate. Instead you will need a pair of phono to phono cables for the PTT signal, and perhaps a serial cable to go to the KPA500 if the ANAN speaks Kenwood protocol. > > Take a very good look at the current KPA500 manual for more information, and make sure you can use the AUXIO cables before investing in them. > > 73, > Jack, W6FB > > > You will need an RS232 crossover? cable between the ANAN 7000 and the KPA500.?? In the 7000 software you have to use a CAT+ control and connect the RS232 cable to the XCVR connector on the KPA500.??? I don't know how to connect the KAT500 to the 7000. 73 Tom AA4VV From al7cr at mooseaviation.com Mon Jul 5 13:35:31 2021 From: al7cr at mooseaviation.com (AL7CR) Date: Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:35:31 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 / PX3 / KPA100AT Station for Sale Message-ID: <942c397f-5a0d-47c5-801a-b9654bc9fbbf@www.fastmail.com> I am selling my fully equipped KX3 / PX3 / KXPA100 station.?? All of the gear looks and functions as new. The KX3 has every option except the KXPD3 keyer paddle.? The KXPA 100 received new finals at Elecraft in 2019 and has been used less than ten hours since that time. A set of manuals is included, the latest versions are of course available on the Elecraft website. The equipment consists of: KX-3 160m - 6m Transceiver with the following internal options: KXAT3? 20 watt ATU KX3-2M? 2 meter module KXBC3? NiMh Internal charger with Real Time Clock KXFL3? Dual Bandwidth Roofing Filter Also included with the KX3 are the following two items: KX3-PCKT Cable set MH-3 Hand mike XG-50 Frequency Source for KX3 Extended Temperature Compensation Procedure North Georgia QRP Club Wooden Stand I also have the following for sale: PX3 Panadapter with cables and a North Georgia QRP Club Wooden Stand KXPA100 with internal KXAT100 tuner and a KXPACBL KX3 adapter cable My firm prices are: KX-3 equipment? ?. $1550 Shipped in the US KXPA100AT ?. $1250 Shipped in the US PX3 ? $575? Shipped in the US All the above equipment ? $3275 Payment via Paypal.? From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 5 13:53:58 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 10:53:58 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Is the Krx3 plus Ksyn3a compatible with a K3s????? Message-ID: Happy 4th to all those that celebrate it/care about it. I have removed a working krx3 (not krx3a) from a working K3. I have separately acquired a ksyn3A. Two questions; 1) what are the differences between the krx3 and krx3a? 2) is my combo of Ksyn3a and krx3 compatible with a K3s? Paul W6PNG (sometimes M0SNA but not on the 4th) www.nomadic.blog From don at w3fpr.com Mon Jul 5 14:11:08 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 14:11:08 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Is the Krx3 plus Ksyn3a compatible with a K3s????? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2e3bef00-fe6d-4e44-4e36-1382dfd669e4@w3fpr.com> Paul, The combo of the KRX3 and K3S is not a problem. There is an added capacitor for the KRX3A to increase the low frequency sensitivity (by reducing the noise component) - Important to those who want to use the KRX3 for VLF operation. I believe the instructions for modding the KRX3 to the KRX3A level should be available on the Elecraft website. The capacitor is a low profile large value tantalum type.? It is soldered near the center of the board. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/5/2021 1:53 PM, Paul GACEK via Elecraft wrote: > Happy 4th to all those that celebrate it/care about it. > > I have removed a working krx3 (not krx3a) from a working K3. > > I have separately acquired a ksyn3A. > > Two questions; > 1) what are the differences between the krx3 and krx3a? > > 2) is my combo of Ksyn3a and krx3 compatible with a K3s? > > From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 5 14:35:37 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 11:35:37 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Is the Krx3 plus Ksyn3a compatible with a K3s????? In-Reply-To: <2e3bef00-fe6d-4e44-4e36-1382dfd669e4@w3fpr.com> References: <2e3bef00-fe6d-4e44-4e36-1382dfd669e4@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: Thanks Don. I?ll proceed as planned and will also take a look at the VLF mod but as I?m not into that end of the spectrum might forgo it. Paul > On Jul 5, 2021, at 11:11 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > ?Paul, > > The combo of the KRX3 and K3S is not a problem. > > There is an added capacitor for the KRX3A to increase the low frequency sensitivity (by reducing the noise component) - Important to those who want to use the KRX3 for VLF operation. > I believe the instructions for modding the KRX3 to the KRX3A level should be available on the Elecraft website. > The capacitor is a low profile large value tantalum type. It is soldered near the center of the board. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 7/5/2021 1:53 PM, Paul GACEK via Elecraft wrote: >> Happy 4th to all those that celebrate it/care about it. >> >> I have removed a working krx3 (not krx3a) from a working K3. >> >> I have separately acquired a ksyn3A. >> >> Two questions; >> 1) what are the differences between the krx3 and krx3a? >> >> 2) is my combo of Ksyn3a and krx3 compatible with a K3s? >> >> > From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 5 15:30:51 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (PAUL GACEK) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 12:30:51 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3s with sub receiver - filter mix and match question Message-ID: Simple question: Can I mix and match different filters between the main and sub receiver. If yes, what am I giving up? Groping into my blurred memory, I think the benefit of having similar bandwidth filters (e.g 400hz, 2.7Khz or 2.1 KHz) in the main and sub receiver is diversity reception but I?m not sure. In my project to install a KRX3/KSYN3A into a K3s, I have a pair of 2.7Khz filters and a pair of 400Hz filters. Separately, I have a variety of single filters such as a 250 Hz and 1.8Khz. Does it matter if I installed either of these single filters on the main or sub rx? Paul Gacek W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.blog From rjlawn at gmail.com Mon Jul 5 17:30:18 2021 From: rjlawn at gmail.com (Richard Lawn) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 17:30:18 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] J Box Message-ID: I?ve got a barely used J Box that I?d like to part with. Let me know if you?re interested and I can send you a photo and we can discuss process. I think they sell for around $150-160 and add quite a bit of versatility to the K3(s). 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile From taraymer at embarqmail.com Mon Jul 5 17:34:19 2021 From: taraymer at embarqmail.com (Raymer, Timothy) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 16:34:19 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 High SWR Only on 6M In-Reply-To: <22845.1625507605351413332@groups.io> References: <22845.1625507605351413332@groups.io> Message-ID: <061e01d771e5$84118870$8c349950$@com> Folks: My KX3 is just over a year old. It has developed an odd problem. It shows a high SWR on 6M, and only 6M. It may not be there on initial power up, but it shows up shortly after a bit of Morse code is sent, and does not seem to reliably go away until being shut down. Here are the specifics: KX3 113xx. Configured with: KX3, KXFL3, KXAT3, KXFL3, KX3-2M, KXBC3. I have been operating exclusively 6M, connected to a KXPA100 Amplifier. the SWR issue presents itself hooked up to the KXPA100 as well as disconnected and running barefoot. (I have to bypass the ATU to fully diagnose and simulate the connection to the KXPA100.) I have verified the issue on a known good 50? dummy load. Radio sees ~3.4:1 SWR when ATU is bypassed. The SWR rises to 3.8:1 at the high end of 6M band when testing. SWR Band (Freq.) 3.8:1 6M (53.995) 3.2:1 6M (50.090) 1.4:1 10M (28.025) 1.3:1 12M (24.900) 1.2:1 15M (21.025) 1.1:1 17M (18.100) 1.0:1 20M (14.025) 1.0:1 30M (10.125) 1.0:1 40M (7.025) 1.0:1 80M (3.550) 1.0:1 160M (1.810) When the ATU is not bypassed and running barefoot, all the other bands quickly seek and find a 1.0:1 SWR and bypass the ATU. But 6M band has a 1.3:1 SWR and had to ratchet a bit on the relays to get to it. The problem started out as an occasional issue, and I could fiddle with changing bands, push a configuration file into it, or just let it be for a bit, and it would behave for a while. But it has gotten worse. I fired the radio up this afternoon, and all seemed okay for a couple of minutes. But after just a few dits and dahs, and a callsign or two, suddenly... 3.4:1 SWR. The radio reduces power out, and thus the KXPA100 is running less than the set/requested power out. I have gone through several troubleshooting steps to this point. Checked radio without KXPA100. Bypassed ATU in radio, and checked direct to a known good load. I am looking first at the 'KX3 Antenna Connector Assembly with LPF' (E850552) as a suspect. Is that a good first substution? Is there something on him that may visually reveal an issue? Can I do an check with a multimeter to verify if it is a likely issue? Where else should I start looking? And, has anyone else encountered this issue with a KX3 running a lot of 6M into a KXPA100? Thanks for any insight on getting my issue identified and resolved. Tim Raymer 73 de KA0OUV From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 5 17:45:42 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 14:45:42 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3s with sub receiver - filter mix and match question In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 7/5/2021 12:30 PM, PAUL GACEK via Elecraft wrote: > Simple question: Can I mix and match different filters between the main and sub receiver. If yes, what am I giving up? > > Groping into my blurred memory, I think the benefit of having similar bandwidth filters (e.g 400hz, 2.7Khz or 2.1 KHz) in the main and sub receiver is diversity reception but I?m not sure. You are correct, it matters for diversity reception. They need to match for bandwidth settings where you want to use diversity. In my rigs, I match the narrow CW filters, because that's where I use diversity. I'm not that serious about SSB. I have the 2.8 kHz (8-pole) filter in the main RX, because it's flatter in the passband than the 2.7 kHz (5-pole) filter. The filter in this position is used as TX sideband filter, and the flatter filter reduces incidental AM when transmitting RTTY. I have a 2.7 kHz filter in the second RX. 73, Jim K9YC From zuceman at yahoo.com Mon Jul 5 17:49:27 2021 From: zuceman at yahoo.com (bruce whitney) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 21:49:27 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] K4 reflector? References: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> I thought I saw a post by Wayne a little while back saying that there would be a Elecraft reflector established dealing only with the K4?I don't see it at QTH.net.? Did I miss it? Or not gonna happen?Maybe that no other product gets its own reflector....Bruce WhitneyW8RA? From taraymer at embarqmail.com Mon Jul 5 17:53:48 2021 From: taraymer at embarqmail.com (Raymer, Timothy) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 16:53:48 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 High SWR Only on 6M In-Reply-To: <22845.1625507605351413332@groups.io> References: <22845.1625507605351413332@groups.io> Message-ID: <062201d771e8$3cc3df60$b64b9e20$@com> Folks: My KX3 is just over a year old. It has developed an odd problem. It shows a high SWR on 6M, and only 6M. It may not be there on initial power up, but it shows up shortly after a bit of Morse code is sent, and does not seem to reliably go away until being shut down. Here are the specifics: KX3 113xx. Configured with: KX3, KXFL3, KXAT3, KXFL3, KX3-2M, KXBC3. I have been operating exclusively 6M, connected to a KXPA100 Amplifier. the SWR issue presents itself hooked up to the KXPA100 as well as disconnected and running barefoot. (I have to bypass the ATU to fully diagnose and simulate the connection to the KXPA100.) I have verified the issue on a known good 50? dummy load. Radio sees ~3.4:1 SWR when ATU is bypassed. The SWR rises to 3.8:1 at the high end of 6M band when testing. SWR Band (Freq.) 3.8:1 6M (53.995) 3.2:1 6M (50.090) 1.4:1 10M (28.025) 1.3:1 12M (24.900) 1.2:1 15M (21.025) 1.1:1 17M (18.100) 1.0:1 20M (14.025) 1.0:1 30M (10.125) 1.0:1 40M (7.025) 1.0:1 80M (3.550) 1.0:1 160M (1.810) When the ATU is not bypassed and running barefoot, all the other bands quickly seek and find a 1.0:1 SWR and bypass the ATU. But 6M band has a 1.3:1 SWR and had to ratchet a bit on the relays to get to it. The problem started out as an occasional issue, and I could fiddle with changing bands, push a configuration file into it, or just let it be for a bit, and it would behave for a while. But it has gotten worse. I fired the radio up this afternoon, and all seemed okay for a couple of minutes. But after just a few dits and dahs, and a callsign or two, suddenly... 3.4:1 SWR. The radio reduces power out, and thus the KXPA100 is running less than the set/requested power out. I have gone through several troubleshooting steps to this point. Checked radio without KXPA100. Bypassed ATU in radio, and checked direct to a known good load. I am looking first at the 'KX3 Antenna Connector Assembly with LPF' (E850552) as a suspect. Is that a good first substution? Is there something on him that may visually reveal an issue? Can I do an check with a multimeter to verify if it is a likely issue? Where else should I start looking? And, has anyone else encountered this issue with a KX3 running a lot of 6M into a KXPA100? Thanks for any insight on getting my issue identified and resolved. Tim Raymer 73 de KA0OUV From bbaines at mac.com Mon Jul 5 17:59:29 2021 From: bbaines at mac.com (Barry Baines) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 17:59:29 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] J Box In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <288E096F-AB60-42FC-9D91-AAAA6B6B7183@mac.com> Rick: > On Jul 5, 2021, at 5:30 PM, Richard Lawn wrote: > > I?ve got a barely used J Box that I?d like to part with. Let me know if > you?re interested and I can send you a photo and we can discuss process. I > think they sell for around $150-160 and add quite a bit of versatility to > the K3(s). Do you mean a ?Y-Box? produced by Bob Wilson, N6TV? His products are designed to be connected to the K3. A ?jbox? is a term for an electrical junction box. FWIW, Barry Baines, WD4ASW/1 Roslindale, MA > > 73 > Rick, W2JAZ > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to bbaines at mac.com From rjlawn at gmail.com Mon Jul 5 18:01:55 2021 From: rjlawn at gmail.com (Richard Lawn) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 18:01:55 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] J Box In-Reply-To: <288E096F-AB60-42FC-9D91-AAAA6B6B7183@mac.com> References: <288E096F-AB60-42FC-9D91-AAAA6B6B7183@mac.com> Message-ID: Yes sorry brain hiccup! I meant to type Y Box!! Rick On Mon, Jul 5, 2021 at 5:59 PM Barry Baines wrote: > Rick: > > > On Jul 5, 2021, at 5:30 PM, Richard Lawn wrote: > > > > I?ve got a barely used J Box that I?d like to part with. Let me know if > > you?re interested and I can send you a photo and we can discuss process. > I > > think they sell for around $150-160 and add quite a bit of versatility to > > the K3(s). > > Do you mean a ?Y-Box? produced by Bob Wilson, N6TV? His products are > designed to be connected to the K3. > > A ?jbox? is a term for an electrical junction box. > > > FWIW, > > Barry Baines, WD4ASW/1 > Roslindale, MA > > > > > > > 73 > > Rick, W2JAZ > > -- > > Sent from Gmail Mobile > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to bbaines at mac.com > > -- Sent from Gmail Mobile From weaverwf at usermail.com Mon Jul 5 18:11:52 2021 From: weaverwf at usermail.com (weaverwf at usermail.com) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 18:11:52 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 reflector? In-Reply-To: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> References: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <6281D496-E7B8-459E-A3F6-93BB5CDE548F@usermail.com> Look at groups.io. It?s not an official Elecraft reflector but Wayne posts there often. 73, Bill WE5P Comfortably Numb > On Jul 5, 2021, at 17:49, bruce whitney via Elecraft wrote: > > ?I thought I saw a post by Wayne a little while back saying that there would be a Elecraft reflector established dealing only with the K4?I don't see it at QTH.net. Did I miss it? Or not gonna happen?Maybe that no other product gets its own reflector....Bruce WhitneyW8RA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to weaverwf at usermail.com From lafrancof at verizon.net Mon Jul 5 18:18:08 2021 From: lafrancof at verizon.net (Frank LaFranco) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 15:18:08 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 reflector? In-Reply-To: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> References: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20a878ee-7053-aac4-7efd-33aff0d1cd38@verizon.net> It's at groups.io: Elecraft-K4 at groups.io Frank - W6NEK On 7/5/2021 2:49 PM, bruce whitney via Elecraft wrote: > I thought I saw a post by Wayne a little while back saying that there would be a Elecraft reflector established dealing only with the K4?I don't see it at QTH.net.? Did I miss it? Or not gonna happen?Maybe that no other product gets its own reflector....Bruce WhitneyW8RA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to lafrancof at verizon.net -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus From lists at subich.com Mon Jul 5 18:18:54 2021 From: lists at subich.com (Joe Subich, W4TV) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 18:18:54 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3s with sub receiver - filter mix and match question In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > Groping into my blurred memory, I think the benefit of having similar > bandwidth filters (e.g 400hz, 2.7Khz or 2.1 KHz) in the main and sub > receiver is diversity reception but I?m not sure. "Matched" filters were required for optimal diversity operation with the *original* synthesizer. With the new synthesizer in the K3S, that requirement has been relaxed. > Does it matter if I installed either of these single filters on the > main or sub rx? No. For example, I have 13 KHz (FM), 2.8, 1.8, 500 (8 pole) and 200 Hz in my main with 2.8 and 500 (8 pole) in my sub rx. Since I have the new synthesizer, I can use matched filters for Diversity or select a tighter filter in the main RX and continue to use a wider view in the right ear (sub rx). From a DX (split) perspective, I can use a narrow filter in the main (for the DX) and the wider filter in the Sub RX for "listening in the pile-up". If you are one that likes to park the Sub RX on the DX station and "lock" VFO B, then transmit on VFO A ("split off") and tune around the pile-up, you may want to put the narrow filters in the Sub RX. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2021-07-05 3:30 PM, PAUL GACEK via Elecraft wrote: > Simple question: Can I mix and match different filters between the main and sub receiver. If yes, what am I giving up? > > Groping into my blurred memory, I think the benefit of having similar bandwidth filters (e.g 400hz, 2.7Khz or 2.1 KHz) in the main and sub receiver is diversity reception but I?m not sure. > > In my project to install a KRX3/KSYN3A into a K3s, I have a pair of 2.7Khz filters and a pair of 400Hz filters. Separately, I have a variety of single filters such as a 250 Hz and 1.8Khz. > > Does it matter if I installed either of these single filters on the main or sub rx? > > Paul Gacek > W6PNG/M0SNA > www.nomadic.blog > From lafrancof at verizon.net Mon Jul 5 18:22:35 2021 From: lafrancof at verizon.net (Frank LaFranco) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 15:22:35 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 reflector? In-Reply-To: <20a878ee-7053-aac4-7efd-33aff0d1cd38@verizon.net> References: <669611892.3612133.1625521767149.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <669611892.3612133.1625521767149@mail.yahoo.com> <20a878ee-7053-aac4-7efd-33aff0d1cd38@verizon.net> Message-ID: Internet link: https://groups.io/g/Elecraft-K4 On 7/5/2021 3:18 PM, Frank LaFranco via Elecraft wrote: > It's at groups.io: > Elecraft-K4 at groups.io > > Frank - W6NEK > > On 7/5/2021 2:49 PM, bruce whitney via Elecraft wrote: >> I thought I saw a post by Wayne a little while back saying that there >> would be a Elecraft reflector established dealing only with the K4?I >> don't see it at QTH.net. Did I miss it? Or not gonna happen?Maybe >> that no other product gets its own reflector....Bruce WhitneyW8RA >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to lafrancof at verizon.net > -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus From zuceman at yahoo.com Mon Jul 5 18:33:24 2021 From: zuceman at yahoo.com (bruce whitney) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 22:33:24 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> Got my new K4 - just before FD, so naturally hauled it out and ran it all day and night.....It is a real thing of beauty and grace - for sure. A pleasure to operate and many. many, excellent features. Well worth the money and wait.? Gonna take a little while to get to know it well. Its a good thing that the basic control is so similar to the K3. Here is a bit of information that may be of interest to those thinking about the K4HD.We were operating the K4, CW (BTW - fabulous QSK!) on a 40M ground plane antenna about 150 ft from a station on? 40M SSB using an inverted vee antenna.. The SSB station was a K3 (new synth) at 100 watts. S-meters both pegged when tuned to each other - with no damage occurring to either. radio. The K4 (version 13 software delivered in it) was showing a red + sign, indicating A/D overload and was producing some obvious "splatter" from the headset on CW frequencies. By cranking in attenuation we found the splatter would disappear with 9 to 15 dB. There was no other discernable artifact - like pumping of AGC in either case.? We put another? K3 right on top of the K4 - tuned to the CW frequencies, switched the antenna - and no splatter. Then turned off the K3 and operated all day and night with the K4 - what a pleasure.? So, conclusions... no surprises. The direct sampling SDR is not quite as robust as the superhet. Just as the Sherwood data shows.? I think if we had been able to load the version 18 firmware before field day - we would have never known the SSB station was on the air. I wish we could have tried that. This is not a rigorous investigation at all. No notes were taken or measurements made. - please? don't beat up the messenger. This is just a single anecdotal experience. IMHO - a multi-multi contest station might want the HD version, maybe? Rest of us - not so sure. 73, Bruce Whitney? W8RA From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 5 18:37:16 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 15:37:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] J Box In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Richard As the current price on Bob?s site is $139 what cables and configuration is your Y box? Paul W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.blog > On Jul 5, 2021, at 2:32 PM, Richard Lawn wrote: > > ?I?ve got a barely used J Box that I?d like to part with. Let me know if > you?re interested and I can send you a photo and we can discuss process. I > think they sell for around $150-160 and add quite a bit of versatility to > the K3(s). > > 73 > Rick, W2JAZ > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com From wes_n7ws at triconet.org Mon Jul 5 18:39:05 2021 From: wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 15:39:05 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0d27b5ab-237d-dd0b-8c91-f80a3b4b151b@triconet.org> To add to what Jack said, several of us use Kenwood transceiver (TS-590 and TS-890) with KPA500-KAT500 combos.? The Aux cable is useless.? To get the KPA500 to follow the radio frequency, here is the circuit of the homemade 9-pin cables we are using: https://groups.io/g/TS-890/files/Kenwood_KPA500_KAT500%20Y%20cable.pdf Mind you this is for Kenwoods (Elecraft copied their protocol). The amp will query the radio VFO A for frequency and the dumb KAT500 will follow along.? The downside is the amp must be powered up to have the tuner track.? Also you have to fuss with some parameters in the KAT500 to keep it from switching tuning solutions during a transmission when the frequency counter disagrees with the serial data. (Reportedly a known bug, now completely off Elecraft's radar) Personal opinion:? I would think twice about trying to run this remotely. Wes? N7WS On 7/5/2021 9:48 AM, Jack Brindle via Elecraft wrote: > Do you really need the 15-pin AUXIO cable? The ANAN doesn?t speak Auxbus, so unless it outputs the BCD signals that the KPA500 (but not the KAT500) uses, then the AuxIO cable won?t do you any good. Remember, the KPA and KAT do not communicate. Instead you will need a pair of phono to phono cables for the PTT signal, and perhaps a serial cable to go to the KPA500 if the ANAN speaks Kenwood protocol. > > Take a very good look at the current KPA500 manual for more information, and make sure you can use the AUXIO cables before investing in them. > > 73, > Jack, W6FB > > >> On Jul 4, 2021, at 6:37 PM, Dick Bingham wrote: >> >> Greetings to everyone >> >> I am just getting started interconnecting my Apache-Labs ANAN-7000dle >> to a KPA500, KTA500 and my DELL E6510 laptop for a base-station I >> can operate remotely from another QTH. >> >> Before I order several from Elecraft, does anyone have E850463 Aux Interface >> cables that are surplus to you, you are willing to sell? These are the >> 15-pin "D" >> connectors fitted with male and female thumb-screw-attached connectors ? >> >> Contact me off-line at the email address shown above. >> >> 73 Dick/w7wkr >> ______________________________________________________________ >> From 99sunset at gmail.com Mon Jul 5 21:53:24 2021 From: 99sunset at gmail.com (Steve Hall) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 21:53:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net 7-4-21 7.280 Message-ID: Low band noise for a change. A little relief from the summer thunderstorms today. WM6P STEVE GA K3S WY3T TIM FL K3S W3SA JOHN NC TS890 K8NU CARL OH FTDX101 W9EJB ED IN K3 KB9AVO PAUL IN K4 KK9USC BOB IL KX3 K5PD PETE TX K3 KJ4ZMV TERRANCE IN FTDX101 NC0JW JIM CO KX3 W0EG BOB FL FT101D WB9JNZ ERIC IL FT990 AE6JV BILL NH K3 From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 5 22:30:27 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 19:30:27 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On 7/5/2021 3:33 PM, bruce whitney via Elecraft wrote: > Here is a bit of information that may be of interest to those thinking about the K4HD.We were operating the K4, CW (BTW - fabulous QSK!) on a 40M ground plane antenna about 150 ft from a station on? 40M SSB using an inverted vee antenna.. For CQP expeditions, we've run CW and SSB K3/KPA500 stations on the same band with that sort of separation. Antennas are carefully located and oriented so that antennas for each band are colinear. Resonant dipoles on 80 and 40, yagis on the higher bands. Here in California, we don't need to rotate antennas during domestic contests -- we aim to PA (about 70 degrees) and antenna directivity lets us work everyone who's in the contest. An important part of the antenna system is a serious common mode choke at the feedpoint if each antenna, so that current coupled from the feedline doesn't fill in the antenna's nulls. 73, Jim K9YC From rcrgs at verizon.net Tue Jul 6 00:33:08 2021 From: rcrgs at verizon.net (Robert G Strickland) Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2021 04:33:08 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> Does the choke cause a significant sag in the antenna? For 40m maybe not; my 80m dipole with a choke looks like a V antenna, and I'm reluctant to increase the tension in the support ropes to the point where the the antenna starts to flatten out. ...robert On 6 Jul 2021 02:30, Jim Brown wrote: > > An important part of the antenna system is a serious common mode choke > at the feedpoint if each antenna, so that current coupled from the > feedline doesn't fill in the antenna's nulls. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rcrgs at verizon.net -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rcrgs at verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA From OH2CG at kolumbus.fi Tue Jul 6 05:58:33 2021 From: OH2CG at kolumbus.fi (Pentti A J Pajunen) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 12:58:33 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 6 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: YAW! I didn't read more about this subject, but 10 seconds of keeping your finger on 100 degC. Try it if you like having blisters! elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net kirjoitti 5.7.2021 klo 20.54: > Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to > elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Generic words on temperature (David Woolley) > 2. Re: K2 Only 30-metre Band Works (jerry) > 3. Re: K2 Only 30-metre Band Works (Don Wilhelm) > 4. SDR Technology (Geoffrey Feldman) > 5. K3 Transmit Issue (K5WA) > 6. Re: Generic words on temperature (C.A. Jones) > 7. Elecraft CW Net Announcement (kevin) > 8. Re: K2 Only 30-metre Band Works (VA1CQ) > 9. KPA-1500 Operating Temp (Mac Gray) > 10. K4 Key Out spec (cw4ever4 at juno.com) > 11. K4 Key (cw4ever4 at juno.com) > 12. Remoting an Elecraft K4 radio with N4PY Software (John K9UWA) > 13. KPA500 and excessive drive (Jim Weatherford) > 14. Re: KPA500 and excessive drive (Michael Walker) > 15. Re: Generic words on temperature (Francis Belliveau) > 16. Re: Generic words on temperature (Louandzip) > 17. Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle (Dick Bingham) > 18. Re: Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle (Jim Brown) > 19. Re: Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle (Tom) > 20. Elecraft CW Net Report (kevin) > 21. K2s looking for a new home (Albin Stig?) > 22. Re: Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle > (Jack Brindle) > 23. Re: Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle (Tom Berry) > 24. KX3 / PX3 / KPA100AT Station for Sale (AL7CR) > 25. Is the Krx3 plus Ksyn3a compatible with a K3s????? (Paul GACEK) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2021 00:52:29 +0100 > From: David Woolley > To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Generic words on temperature > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > 100?F is well within the survivable body core temperature range, so it > should never trigger pain receptors. > > In fact, I believe it was defined based on the nominal core body > temperature of a cow. > > Did you mean 100?C? > -- 73 & CU Pena, OH2G, OH2CG From jjw5257 at yahoo.ca Tue Jul 6 09:22:24 2021 From: jjw5257 at yahoo.ca (Jeff Wilson) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 09:22:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Unsubscribe my deceased husband References: <4CE778C3-CAE0-4857-96A4-5AB88E34E6E5.ref@yahoo.ca> Message-ID: <4CE778C3-CAE0-4857-96A4-5AB88E34E6E5@yahoo.ca> JJWilson Sent from my iPad From sm.shearer.01 at gmail.com Tue Jul 6 09:52:03 2021 From: sm.shearer.01 at gmail.com (steve WB3LGC) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 09:52:03 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> Message-ID: I'll ask a similar question... I use a horizontal 80m loop fed with ladderline.? I have a 1:1 choke at the ladderline to coax connection with 10 feet to the tuner.? My noise is a lot less than it was long ago...? The noise may be gone, or the balun helps, or it was a different antenna.? Should I change anything? The real Q...? Portable I use a 135' dipole with ladderline and a choke at the tuner.? Would I be better off using coax and a choke to feed the antenna??? I do like the multi band capability of the ladderline (450 ohm) center fed "zepp". my choke is (2) FT240-31's with 12 turns RG-8x. 73, steve WB3LGC On 7/6/21 12:33 AM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: > Does the choke cause a significant sag in the antenna? For 40m maybe > not; my 80m dipole with a choke looks like a V antenna, and I'm > reluctant to increase the tension in the support ropes to the point > where the the antenna starts to flatten out. > ...robert > > On 6 Jul 2021 02:30, Jim Brown wrote: >> >> An important part of the antenna system is a serious common mode choke >> at the feedpoint if each antenna, so that current coupled from the >> feedline doesn't fill in the antenna's nulls. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to rcrgs at verizon.net > From n4zr at comcast.net Tue Jul 6 10:28:54 2021 From: n4zr at comcast.net (N4ZR) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 10:28:54 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> Message-ID: <64dd3d3f-2ec0-2de4-5e36-671ccff9b365@comcast.net> I'd suggest this is a better question for Towertalk or the RFI reflector 73, Pete N4ZR Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network web server at . For spots, please use your favorite "retail" DX cluster. On 7/6/2021 9:52 AM, steve WB3LGC wrote: > I'll ask a similar question... > > I use a horizontal 80m loop fed with ladderline.? I have a 1:1 choke > at the ladderline to coax connection with 10 feet to the tuner.? My > noise is a lot less than it was long ago...? The noise may be gone, or > the balun helps, or it was a different antenna. Should I change anything? > > The real Q...? Portable I use a 135' dipole with ladderline and a > choke at the tuner.? Would I be better off using coax and a choke to > feed the antenna??? I do like the multi band capability of the > ladderline (450 ohm) center fed "zepp". > > my choke is (2) FT240-31's with 12 turns RG-8x. > > 73, steve WB3LGC > > On 7/6/21 12:33 AM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: >> Does the choke cause a significant sag in the antenna? For 40m maybe >> not; my 80m dipole with a choke looks like a V antenna, and I'm >> reluctant to increase the tension in the support ropes to the point >> where the the antenna starts to flatten out. >> ...robert >> >> On 6 Jul 2021 02:30, Jim Brown wrote: >>> >>> An important part of the antenna system is a serious common mode choke >>> at the feedpoint if each antenna, so that current coupled from the >>> feedline doesn't fill in the antenna's nulls. >>> >>> 73, Jim K9YC >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to rcrgs at verizon.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n4zr at comcast.net From kzerocx at gmail.com Tue Jul 6 10:34:03 2021 From: kzerocx at gmail.com (Gary Peterson) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 08:34:03 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? Message-ID: An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary KzeroCX From FlatHat at comcast.net Tue Jul 6 10:47:24 2021 From: FlatHat at comcast.net (Richard) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 10:47:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency Tracking Message-ID: <4DD6768B-97F5-4868-87CC-DDEF4A11BC47@comcast.net> At the top of page 17 of the KAT500 manual are instructions for employing Frequency Tracking with a K3s/KAT500 combination. Great idea. Excellent time saver. At the bottom of page 16 are four bullets prescribing the segment sizes for the various bands. Since most 6-meter SSB activity around here usually runs from about 50.100 to about 50.300, it seems to me that 200 kHz segments for six meters are way too wide. Would it impair Frequency Tracking if I used 10kHz segments for six meters? And generally speaking, can the size of the segments on any band be varied without causing Frequency Tracking a problem? Thanks. Richard ? W4KBX From n6kr at elecraft.com Tue Jul 6 10:58:54 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 07:58:54 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. Wayne N6KR ---- elecraft.com > On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: > > ?An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. > > I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. > > Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. > > Gary > KzeroCX > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com From w4kx at mac.com Tue Jul 6 11:09:56 2021 From: w4kx at mac.com (Tom Doligalski) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 11:09:56 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> References: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> Message-ID: <888D4207-942F-469F-8007-3F7BA7752CFF@mac.com> I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> ?An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Tue Jul 6 12:05:36 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 16:05:36 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <888D4207-942F-469F-8007-3F7BA7752CFF@mac.com> References: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> <888D4207-942F-469F-8007-3F7BA7752CFF@mac.com> Message-ID: <1669968395.1148016.1625587536529@mail.yahoo.com> I'm a squeezer and use B.? It's physically the easiest, particularly at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common.? Of course you don't have to squeeze using B.? On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> ?An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3.? This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer.? He has always operated CW with a straight key.? He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic.? He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer.? I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B.? I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From kk5f at earthlink.net Tue Jul 6 12:40:18 2021 From: kk5f at earthlink.net (Mike Morrow) Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2021 16:40:18 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? Message-ID: Iambic mode B has the distressing characteristic of ending any iambic string after the paddles are released with a dot (when the iambic string ended with a dash) or with a dash (when the iambic string ended with a dot) for which there had been NO paddle closure. Mode A always ends an iambic string with only the dot or dash that was being sent when the paddles were opened. The paddle timing is more critical with mode B if an unwanted dot or dash is not to follow paddle release.? .? Mode B often requires the paddles to be released earlier, before the character has been completely sent.? Mode B privides no reduction in the paddle manipulations required to generate any character in exchange for its more critical timing. ?Mode B is the legacy of a logic fault in an early electronic keyer that became advertised as a feature.? Elecraft sets Mode A as its default because of its relaxed timing to do the same things. Whatever mode one learns, using the other mode will play real havoc when using an iambic keyer.? Mode A guys get an extra dot or dash on some of their characters, while mode B guys miss a dot or dash on some of their characters.? Under such circumstances I use a paddle-slap technique, treating the two paddles as only one and never allowing both paddles to close simultaneously. Unfortunately and inexplicably, almost all Asian-source radios allow ONLY mode B for their iambic keyer.? That is why most hams are mode B users.? One could argue that one should learn mode B simply because that is the only choice allowed for incompetently designed ham gear.? I convinced the ARRL Product Review manager years ago to add a declaration of what modes of iambic keying are allowed by any radio under review.? I have rejected an Icom radio I really wanted for no reason other than it allowed only mode B.? There is absolutely no excuse for any radio to deny mode selection except designer incompetence or laziness.? Elecraft has always supplied excellent iambic keying with choice of modes. BOTTOM LINE:? Mode A is more straightforward and easier to learn, but mode B is the only mode the keyer in many radios will allow.? Neither mode offers any advantage in terms of reduced paddle manipulation. Mike / KK5F -----Original Message----- From: Gary Peterson Sent: Jul 6, 2021 9:34 AM To: Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary KzeroCX ______________________________________________________________? From k9ztv at socket.net Tue Jul 6 12:57:27 2021 From: k9ztv at socket.net (K9ZTV) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 11:57:27 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1669968395.1148016.1625587536529@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1669968395.1148016.1625587536529@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: In my experience it depends on the transceiver. With some I prefer A, with others B. I have not noticed much difference with Elecraft rigs. I used to think I liked A better, but after my squeeze-keying buddies switched my K3 to B at FD one year when I wasn?t looking, I didn?t notice it for several months. True Iambic operators prefer B, or so they tell me. 73, Kent K9ZTV >>>> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >>> >>> ?An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >>> >>> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >>> >>> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >>> >>> Gary >>> KzeroCX >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this From n7cqr at arrl.net Tue Jul 6 13:22:45 2021 From: n7cqr at arrl.net (Dan Presley) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 10:22:45 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9F6720BB-7D3A-4C03-895C-488F7D20C7C9@arrl.net> As a longtime CW instructor and operator I absolutely recommend mode B. It?s easier to learn despite what you might hear from some comments,and it?s particularly easier to handle compound letters such as C,Q, Y,etc. A requires you to make an extra movement to complete many characters. One very helpful practice method is to use a metronome at a slow tempo, say 40-60 beats and practice your characters. As soon as students see that releasing the paddles to create that last Dit or dah they?ll grasp it as more useful and less movement. It takes a bit of practice but will make for cleaner and more relaxed sending as you won?t have to make that last extra move to complete the last Dit or dah. Many newer rigs only incorporate mode B-why? It?s far and away the most popular because it?s easier to use. And B will stop you from slapping the paddles which can lead to poor timing,and potentially causing the paddles to skid around if they?re not well anchored. It?s rhythm and conservation of movement. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 09:42, Mike Morrow wrote: > > ?Iambic mode B has the distressing characteristic of ending any iambic string after the paddles are released with a dot (when the iambic string ended with a dash) or with a dash (when the iambic string ended with a dot) for which there had been NO paddle closure. > > > > > Mode A always ends an iambic string with only the dot or dash that was being sent when the paddles were opened. > > > > > The paddle timing is more critical with mode B if an unwanted dot or dash is not to follow paddle release. . Mode B often requires the paddles to be released earlier, before the character has been completely sent. Mode B privides no reduction in the paddle manipulations required to generate any character in exchange for its more critical timing. Mode B is the legacy of a logic fault in an early electronic keyer that became advertised as a feature. Elecraft sets Mode A as its default because of its relaxed timing to do the same things. > > > > > Whatever mode one learns, using the other mode will play real havoc when using an iambic keyer. Mode A guys get an extra dot or dash on some of their characters, while mode B guys miss a dot or dash on some of their characters. Under such circumstances I use a paddle-slap technique, treating the two paddles as only one and never allowing both paddles to close simultaneously. > > > > > Unfortunately and inexplicably, almost all Asian-source radios allow ONLY mode B for their iambic keyer. That is why most hams are mode B users. One could argue that one should learn mode B simply because that is the only choice allowed for incompetently designed ham gear. I convinced the ARRL Product Review manager years ago to add a declaration of what modes of iambic keying are allowed by any radio under review. I have rejected an Icom radio I really wanted for no reason other than it allowed only mode B. There is absolutely no excuse for any radio to deny mode selection except designer incompetence or laziness. Elecraft has always supplied excellent iambic keying with choice of modes. > > > > > BOTTOM LINE: Mode A is more straightforward and easier to learn, but mode B is the only mode the keyer in many radios will allow. Neither mode offers any advantage in terms of reduced paddle manipulation. > > > > > Mike / KK5F > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Gary Peterson > Sent: Jul 6, 2021 9:34 AM > To: > Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? > > > An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary KzeroCX ______________________________________________________________ > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net From jerry at tr2.com Tue Jul 6 13:49:06 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Tue, 06 Jul 2021 10:49:06 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <9F6720BB-7D3A-4C03-895C-488F7D20C7C9@arrl.net> References: <9F6720BB-7D3A-4C03-895C-488F7D20C7C9@arrl.net> Message-ID: All, I just tried A...then B. I can't tell the difference. Sending my call, CQs, AR etc at 20wpm. - Jerry KF6VB From k2vco.vic at gmail.com Tue Jul 6 14:39:09 2021 From: k2vco.vic at gmail.com (Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 21:39:09 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9F6720BB-7D3A-4C03-895C-488F7D20C7C9@arrl.net> Message-ID: There is only a difference if you squeeze the paddles, to make a C for example. Try sending C's with one squeeze in mode A and B and you will feel the difference. 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel CWops #5 Formerly K2VCO https://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 06/07/2021 20:49, jerry wrote: > All, > > ? I just tried A...then B.? I can't tell the difference.? Sending > my call, CQs, AR etc at 20wpm. > > ????????????????????????? - Jerry KF6VB > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k2vco.vic at gmail.com From n7cqr at arrl.net Tue Jul 6 14:57:30 2021 From: n7cqr at arrl.net (Dan Presley) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 11:57:30 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1669968395.1148016.1625587536529@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1669968395.1148016.1625587536529@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Although a bit long check out Chuck Adams video on Iambic B and the various permutations. This may help clear up some questions. https://youtu.be/mFtPPyjrsVU Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 09:07, Louandzip via Elecraft wrote: > > ?I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't have to squeeze using B. > > > On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. > > If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much difference in the learning curve between either! > > Tom W4KX > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> >> I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. >> >> Wayne >> N6KR >> >> ---- >> elecraft.com >> >>>> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >>> >>> ?An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >>> >>> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >>> >>> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >>> >>> Gary >>> KzeroCX >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net From k4to.dave at gmail.com Tue Jul 6 16:15:13 2021 From: k4to.dave at gmail.com (Dave Sublette) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 16:15:13 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9F6720BB-7D3A-4C03-895C-488F7D20C7C9@arrl.net> Message-ID: FWIW, I learned on mode B with the WB4VVF keyer. Now, when I try to use Mode A, I often do not complete characters. Whichever mode you select, practice, practice, practice, off the air. Again, IMO the rhythm and spacing you use between letters and words will make the difference in how easily someone can copy your sending. It is a lot like music. The rests are just as important. 73, Dave, K4TO On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 2:40 PM Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote: > There is only a difference if you squeeze the paddles, to make a C for > example. Try sending C's with one squeeze in mode A and B and you will > feel the difference. > > > 73, > Victor, 4X6GP > Rehovot, Israel > CWops #5 > Formerly K2VCO > https://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ > On 06/07/2021 20:49, jerry wrote: > > All, > > > > I just tried A...then B. I can't tell the difference. Sending > > my call, CQs, AR etc at 20wpm. > > > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to k2vco.vic at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k4to at arrl.net From Lyn at LNAINC.com Tue Jul 6 16:48:16 2021 From: Lyn at LNAINC.com (Lyn Norstad) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 15:48:16 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly Message-ID: <0af101d772a8$3f497590$bddc60b0$@LNAINC.com> On 80 meters, the KAT500 stores frequencies in memory every 10 kHz. Because of bandwidth issues, normally that's a good thing. Except when it isn't. Many digital modes that use prescribed frequencies are clustered in a fairly narrow region. For example ("dial frequency" in kHz): FT8 = 3573.000 FT4 = 3575.000 Winlink 80m Gateway 1 = 3586.000 Winlink 80m Gateway 2 = 3595.000 If you only operate FT8 and FT4, there is no issue. Likewise, if you only operate Winlink in that region, no problem. But if you operate both, the KAT500 can't seem to recall the exact settings for any of those frequencies consistently. Here's an experiment for you to try, if you're interested: 1) Clear the frequency memory for 80 meters on whatever antenna you use (KAT500 configuration>Erase Antenna Tuner Memories). 2) Using the same utility, "Memorize" a setting for each of the four above frequencies. 3) Conduct a Winlink VARA HF session at both 3586 and 3595 kHz (if you can't connect to any stations, that's OK too). 4) Then using WSJT-X software, do a brief session using FT8 and then FT4. So far, so good. Everything works great. But now go back to the Winlink software are try to check for mail using the same frequencies, 3586 and 3595 (it would be nice to connect this time). If your system works like mine, on every other transmission it will hunt for a new match (even if it's already 1:1). In my case, the "normal" L/C values are: @ 3573 = 0 / 6500 @ 3575 = 0 / 6500 @ 3586 = 180 / 6500 @ 3595 = 180 / 6500 When the KAT500 goes a little bit crazy with its "every other time hunt" on the Winlink frequencies (3586 and 3595) it will jump to some extremely high SWR value (in the 80s or 90s) and then eventually settle back with an L/C of . say . 0 / 5400 (creating settings for 3592 kHz). Meanwhile, the Gateway station has very likely lost at least half of your transmission. This behavior is independent of Automatic or Manual settings, exciter power settings, KPA500 On or Off (but OFF is better for testing, for obvious reasons). Is there a Command that would help to alleviate this behavior? Or a way to tell the KAT500 to ignore one or more of its preset frequencies that are causing issues? 73 Lyn, W0LEN From Lyn at LNAINC.com Tue Jul 6 17:21:35 2021 From: Lyn at LNAINC.com (Lyn Norstad) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 16:21:35 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly In-Reply-To: <0af101d772a8$3f497590$bddc60b0$@LNAINC.com> References: <0af101d772a8$3f497590$bddc60b0$@LNAINC.com> Message-ID: <0b1e01d772ac$e6c72070$b4556150$@LNAINC.com> EDIT: Don't be confused when I say "L/C" but express the values as "C/L." You know what I mean ... -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lyn Norstad Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 3:48 PM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly On 80 meters, the KAT500 stores frequencies in memory every 10 kHz. Because of bandwidth issues, normally that's a good thing. Except when it isn't. Many digital modes that use prescribed frequencies are clustered in a fairly narrow region. For example ("dial frequency" in kHz): FT8 = 3573.000 FT4 = 3575.000 Winlink 80m Gateway 1 = 3586.000 Winlink 80m Gateway 2 = 3595.000 If you only operate FT8 and FT4, there is no issue. Likewise, if you only operate Winlink in that region, no problem. But if you operate both, the KAT500 can't seem to recall the exact settings for any of those frequencies consistently. Here's an experiment for you to try, if you're interested: 1) Clear the frequency memory for 80 meters on whatever antenna you use (KAT500 configuration>Erase Antenna Tuner Memories). 2) Using the same utility, "Memorize" a setting for each of the four above frequencies. 3) Conduct a Winlink VARA HF session at both 3586 and 3595 kHz (if you can't connect to any stations, that's OK too). 4) Then using WSJT-X software, do a brief session using FT8 and then FT4. So far, so good. Everything works great. But now go back to the Winlink software are try to check for mail using the same frequencies, 3586 and 3595 (it would be nice to connect this time). If your system works like mine, on every other transmission it will hunt for a new match (even if it's already 1:1). In my case, the "normal" L/C values are: @ 3573 = 0 / 6500 @ 3575 = 0 / 6500 @ 3586 = 180 / 6500 @ 3595 = 180 / 6500 When the KAT500 goes a little bit crazy with its "every other time hunt" on the Winlink frequencies (3586 and 3595) it will jump to some extremely high SWR value (in the 80s or 90s) and then eventually settle back with an L/C of . say . 0 / 5400 (creating settings for 3592 kHz). Meanwhile, the Gateway station has very likely lost at least half of your transmission. This behavior is independent of Automatic or Manual settings, exciter power settings, KPA500 On or Off (but OFF is better for testing, for obvious reasons). Is there a Command that would help to alleviate this behavior? Or a way to tell the KAT500 to ignore one or more of its preset frequencies that are causing issues? 73 Lyn, W0LEN ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com From ehr at qrv.com Tue Jul 6 19:08:47 2021 From: ehr at qrv.com (Edward H Russell) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 19:08:47 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <007e01d772bb$e072f500$a158df00$@qrv.com> I'm an A op myself, for the reasons Gary k0cx so eloquently pointed out. ED / W2RF -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Mike Morrow Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 12:40 PM To: Gary Peterson ; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? Iambic mode B has the distressing characteristic of ending any iambic string after the paddles are released with a dot (when the iambic string ended with a dash) or with a dash (when the iambic string ended with a dot) for which there had been NO paddle closure. Mode A always ends an iambic string with only the dot or dash that was being sent when the paddles were opened. The paddle timing is more critical with mode B if an unwanted dot or dash is not to follow paddle release. . Mode B often requires the paddles to be released earlier, before the character has been completely sent. Mode B privides no reduction in the paddle manipulations required to generate any character in exchange for its more critical timing. Mode B is the legacy of a logic fault in an early electronic keyer that became advertised as a feature. Elecraft sets Mode A as its default because of its relaxed timing to do the same things. Whatever mode one learns, using the other mode will play real havoc when using an iambic keyer. Mode A guys get an extra dot or dash on some of their characters, while mode B guys miss a dot or dash on some of their characters. Under such circumstances I use a paddle-slap technique, treating the two paddles as only one and never allowing both paddles to close simultaneously. Unfortunately and inexplicably, almost all Asian-source radios allow ONLY mode B for their iambic keyer. That is why most hams are mode B users. One could argue that one should learn mode B simply because that is the only choice allowed for incompetently designed ham gear. I convinced the ARRL Product Review manager years ago to add a declaration of what modes of iambic keying are allowed by any radio under review. I have rejected an Icom radio I really wanted for no reason other than it allowed only mode B. There is absolutely no excuse for any radio to deny mode selection except designer incompetence or laziness. Elecraft has always supplied excellent iambic keying with choice of modes. BOTTOM LINE: Mode A is more straightforward and easier to learn, but mode B is the only mode the keyer in many radios will allow. Neither mode offers any advantage in terms of reduced paddle manipulation. Mike / KK5F -----Original Message----- From: Gary Peterson Sent: Jul 6, 2021 9:34 AM To: Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary KzeroCX ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ehr at qrv.com From ehr at qrv.com Tue Jul 6 19:11:15 2021 From: ehr at qrv.com (Edward H Russell) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 19:11:15 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? References: Message-ID: <007f01d772bc$38d2dbc0$aa789340$@qrv.com> Uh I meant that Mike KK5F pointed out to Gary ? -----Original Message----- From: Edward H Russell Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 7:09 PM To: 'kk5f at arrl.net' ; 'Gary Peterson' ; 'elecraft at mailman.qth.net' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] A or B? I'm an A op myself, for the reasons Gary k0cx so eloquently pointed out. ED / W2RF -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net < elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Mike Morrow Sent: Tuesday, July 6, 2021 12:40 PM To: Gary Peterson < kzerocx at gmail.com>; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? Iambic mode B has the distressing characteristic of ending any iambic string after the paddles are released with a dot (when the iambic string ended with a dash) or with a dash (when the iambic string ended with a dot) for which there had been NO paddle closure. Mode A always ends an iambic string with only the dot or dash that was being sent when the paddles were opened. The paddle timing is more critical with mode B if an unwanted dot or dash is not to follow paddle release. . Mode B often requires the paddles to be released earlier, before the character has been completely sent. Mode B privides no reduction in the paddle manipulations required to generate any character in exchange for its more critical timing. Mode B is the legacy of a logic fault in an early electronic keyer that became advertised as a feature. Elecraft sets Mode A as its default because of its relaxed timing to do the same things. Whatever mode one learns, using the other mode will play real havoc when using an iambic keyer. Mode A guys get an extra dot or dash on some of their characters, while mode B guys miss a dot or dash on some of their characters. Under such circumstances I use a paddle-slap technique, treating the two paddles as only one and never allowing both paddles to close simultaneously. Unfortunately and inexplicably, almost all Asian-source radios allow ONLY mode B for their iambic keyer. That is why most hams are mode B users. One could argue that one should learn mode B simply because that is the only choice allowed for incompetently designed ham gear. I convinced the ARRL Product Review manager years ago to add a declaration of what modes of iambic keying are allowed by any radio under review. I have rejected an Icom radio I really wanted for no reason other than it allowed only mode B. There is absolutely no excuse for any radio to deny mode selection except designer incompetence or laziness. Elecraft has always supplied excellent iambic keying with choice of modes. BOTTOM LINE: Mode A is more straightforward and easier to learn, but mode B is the only mode the keyer in many radios will allow. Neither mode offers any advantage in terms of reduced paddle manipulation. Mike / KK5F -----Original Message----- From: Gary Peterson < kzerocx at gmail.com> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 9:34 AM To: < elecraft at mailman.qth.net> Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary KzeroCX ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ehr at qrv.com From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Tue Jul 6 22:57:07 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2021 19:57:07 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> Message-ID: On 7/5/2021 9:33 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: > Does the choke cause a significant sag in the antenna? For 40m maybe > not; my 80m dipole with a choke looks like a V antenna, and I'm > reluctant to increase the tension in the support ropes to the point > where the the antenna starts to flatten out. Weight for the chokes is part of the tables in the 2018 Cookbook. I have 100# weights on the support rope for my dipoles (they're up 125 ft, fed with RG11). 73, Jim K9YC From tony.kaz at verizon.net Tue Jul 6 23:48:27 2021 From: tony.kaz at verizon.net (tony.kaz at verizon.net) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 03:48:27 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters References: <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541@mail.yahoo.com> What do you typically see for Power Out, Voltage and Current with 25 and 30W drive on 20M?TnxN2TK, Tony? From kk5f at earthlink.net Wed Jul 7 00:17:33 2021 From: kk5f at earthlink.net (Mike Morrow) Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:17:33 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? Message-ID: Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. That is a total non sequitur.? ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying.? Mode A is just as much a squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic stream as is mode B.? The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE.? Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released.? Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic stream.? It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired final element has been sent. There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although many mode B users seem to believe that there is.? Some mode B users even believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle manipulations than a mode A user.? They can not.? Some mode B users believe only mode B is a squeeze keying process.? Mode A is also.? Regardless of the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. Mike / KK5F -----Original Message----- From: Louandzip Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? I'm a squeezer and use B.? It's physically the easiest, particularly at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common.? Of course you don't have to squeeze using B.? On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3.? This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer.? He has always operated CW with a straight key.? He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic.? He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer.? I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B.? I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kk5f at earthlink.net From guidoted at gmail.com Wed Jul 7 02:41:17 2021 From: guidoted at gmail.com (Guido Tedeschi) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 08:41:17 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: 99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to learn Iambic B. I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever key with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow ha scritto: > Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. > > > > > That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous > closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much a > squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic > stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. > Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular > iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the > stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. > Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic > stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired > final element has been sent. > > > > > There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although > many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users even > believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle > manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users believe > only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless of > the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is > no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. > > > > > Mike / KK5F > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Louandzip > Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM > Cc: > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? > > I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at > higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't > have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski > via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. > If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much > difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, > at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may > be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > > Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, > Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for several > years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that > he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with > a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know > whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never > used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a > WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. > I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list > and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to > learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for > any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> > ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft > mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: > Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft > mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: > Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: > http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > louandzip at yahoo.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: > http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > kk5f at earthlink.net > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to guidoted at gmail.com From K8UT at charter.net Wed Jul 7 04:35:35 2021 From: K8UT at charter.net (Larry (K8UT)) Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:35:35 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters In-Reply-To: <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: 25 in, 1322 out, 43% efficiency, 51.7 volts @ 59 amps with 1.5:1 SWR. (see screenshot) -larry (K8UT) ------ Original Message ------ From: "N2TK via Elecraft" To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Sent: 2021-07-06 23:48:27 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters >What do you typically see for Power Out, Voltage and Current with 25 and 30W drive on 20M?TnxN2TK, Tony >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >Message delivered to k8ut at charter.net From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Wed Jul 7 05:37:52 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 02:37:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Experience In-Reply-To: References: <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <2037253464.3318162.1625524404189@mail.yahoo.com> <60E3DD04.1070704@verizon.net> Message-ID: On 7/6/2021 6:52 AM, steve WB3LGC wrote: > I'll ask a similar question... What does this have to do with K4 Experience? 73, Jim K9YC From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Wed Jul 7 05:41:42 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 02:41:42 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> References: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> Message-ID: From a guy who started in about '56 with a bug and migrated cold-turkey to an electronic keyer in the mid-60s, and an electronic keyer in the mid-'70s to one that would do serial numbers for contests, WTF are modes A and B? 73, Jim K9YC On 7/6/2021 7:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. From paul at teulu.org Wed Jul 7 05:47:00 2021 From: paul at teulu.org (Paul Jewell) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 10:47:00 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> Message-ID: <903c8c7a-0cf2-1123-67a8-de147003b847@teulu.org> Explained nicely here: http://wb9kzy.com/modeab.pdf On 07/07/2021 10:41, Jim Brown wrote: > From a guy who started in about '56 with a bug and migrated > cold-turkey to an electronic keyer in the mid-60s, and an electronic > keyer in the mid-'70s to one that would do serial numbers for > contests, WTF are modes A and B? > > 73, Jim K9YC > > On 7/6/2021 7:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing >> squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul at teulu.org From ehr at qrv.com Wed Jul 7 06:28:42 2021 From: ehr at qrv.com (Edward H Russell) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 06:28:42 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <903c8c7a-0cf2-1123-67a8-de147003b847@teulu.org> References: <969192CB-B1F9-4CD6-AC17-AD4B2A79DF15@elecraft.com> <903c8c7a-0cf2-1123-67a8-de147003b847@teulu.org> Message-ID: <003d01d7731a$dc9adec0$95d09c40$@qrv.com> To me the essential difference between A and B keyers is explained by WB9KZY here: The difference between mode A and B lies in what the keyer does when both paddles are released. The mode A keyer completes the element being sent when the paddles are released. The mode B keyer sends an additional element opposite to the one being sent when the paddles are released. This is what causes difficulty if you try to switch modes. It takes a while to retrain the reflexes. And although I can get used to B mode, it seems to dangle those extra concluding elements no matter what. I find that extremely annoying. And there doesn't seem to be any redeeming value in B mode, I stick with A. Tks, 73 Ed w2rf -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Paul Jewell Sent: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 5:47 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? Explained nicely here: http://wb9kzy.com/modeab.pdf On 07/07/2021 10:41, Jim Brown wrote: > From a guy who started in about '56 with a bug and migrated > cold-turkey to an electronic keyer in the mid-60s, and an electronic > keyer in the mid-'70s to one that would do serial numbers for > contests, WTF are modes A and B? > > 73, Jim K9YC > > On 7/6/2021 7:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing >> squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > paul at teulu.org ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ehr at qrv.com From tony.kaz at verizon.net Wed Jul 7 07:14:43 2021 From: tony.kaz at verizon.net (tony.kaz at verizon.net) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 11:14:43 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters In-Reply-To: References: <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1536171526.2300585.1625629707541@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> Thanks Larry.Just wanted to confirm what I was seeing wasn't normal.All of a sudden with 25W drive I get?Pwr - 530WCurrent - 29AVoltage - 53V with no drive or 25W drive. N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Larry (K8UT) To: tony.kaz at verizon.net; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 4:35 am Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters 25 in, 1322 out, 43% efficiency, 51.7 volts @ 59 amps with 1.5:1 SWR. (see screenshot) -larry (K8UT) ------ Original Message ------ From: "N2TK via Elecraft" To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Sent: 2021-07-06 23:48:27 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters >What do you typically see for Power Out, Voltage and Current with 25 and 30W drive on 20M?TnxN2TK, Tony >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >Message delivered to k8ut at charter.net From rocketnj at gmail.com Wed Jul 7 08:55:01 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (Dave) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 08:55:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters In-Reply-To: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> Hi Tony, Sounds like you might have lost one of the LDMOS devices. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > On Jul 7, 2021, at 7:16 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: > > ?Thanks Larry.Just wanted to confirm what I was seeing wasn't normal.All of a sudden with 25W drive I get Pwr - 530WCurrent - 29AVoltage - 53V with no drive or 25W drive. > N2TK, Tony > > -----Original Message----- > From: Larry (K8UT) > To: tony.kaz at verizon.net; elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 4:35 am > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters > > 25 in, 1322 out, 43% efficiency, 51.7 volts @ 59 amps with 1.5:1 SWR. > > (see screenshot) > > -larry (K8UT) > > ------ Original Message ------ > From: "N2TK via Elecraft" > To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" > Sent: 2021-07-06 23:48:27 > Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters > >> What do you typically see for Power Out, Voltage and Current with 25 and 30W drive on 20M?TnxN2TK, Tony >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k8ut at charter.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From tony.kaz at verizon.net Wed Jul 7 09:31:23 2021 From: tony.kaz at verizon.net (tony.kaz at verizon.net) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 13:31:23 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters In-Reply-To: <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> Message-ID: <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> Hi Dave,Yeah, sounds like it. Waiting for feedback from Elecraft support.At least I have the KPA500 as backup.N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Dave To: tony.kaz at verizon.net Cc: K8UT at charter.net; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 8:55 am Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters Hi Tony, Sounds like you might have lost one of the LDMOS devices. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > On Jul 7, 2021, at 7:16 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: > > ?Thanks Larry.Just wanted to confirm what I was seeing wasn't normal.All of a sudden with 25W drive I get Pwr - 530WCurrent - 29AVoltage - 53V with no drive or 25W drive. > N2TK, Tony > > -----Original Message----- > From: Larry (K8UT) > To: tony.kaz at verizon.net; elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Sent: Wed, Jul 7, 2021 4:35 am > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters > > 25 in, 1322 out, 43% efficiency, 51.7 volts @ 59 amps with 1.5:1 SWR. > > (see screenshot) > > -larry (K8UT) > > ------ Original Message ------ > From: "N2TK via Elecraft" > To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" > Sent: 2021-07-06 23:48:27 > Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 parameters > >> What do you typically see for Power Out, Voltage and Current with 25 and 30W drive on 20M?TnxN2TK, Tony >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k8ut at charter.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From kl7cw at mtaonline.net Wed Jul 7 14:43:06 2021 From: kl7cw at mtaonline.net (Frederick Dwight) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 10:43:06 -0800 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B ? Message-ID: <20210707184653819@smtp.email-protect.gosecure.net> The most important thing is to choose either A or B and stay with that. It is very difficult to change, I know ! Decades ago I chose B since some rigs did not have the A choice. Many folks who use B do not squeeze many characters, and any potential advantage of the B mode is small (if it exists). I squeeze roughly a half dozen characters and it took me a long time to be comfortable with Iambic B. One reason I still use Iambic B is I have too much time and money invested in my dual lever paddle collection. If I was just starting now, I think I would for sure go to a single lever paddle, then either A or B choice does not make a difference. I have 67 years of CW experience as a ham and some commercial operation, and switching between hand keys, bugs, and Ultimatic (spelling) keyers was easy, and even a brief period using a single lever paddle at a friends house was easy. However when I was stuck with a Iambic A rig on a vacation after years of B operation, my CW was awful. So personally I think the world would be better without B, but keep it as an option since some of us are too ancient to retrain. Cheers, Rick KL7CW Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From n7cqr at arrl.net Wed Jul 7 15:10:55 2021 From: n7cqr at arrl.net (Dan Presley) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:10:55 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the arguments about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn?t have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as it?s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn?t make a go of any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the past year,but that?s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and if was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s true with a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth that nothing can be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born with it,or not? is the common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases like CQ as a musical phrase. What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to you ? is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? This works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying will improve too. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: > > ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to learn > Iambic B. > I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever key > with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... > 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp > > >> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow ha >> scritto: >> >> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. >> >> >> >> >> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous >> closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much a >> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic >> stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. >> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular >> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the >> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. >> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic >> stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired >> final element has been sent. >> >> >> >> >> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although >> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users even >> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle >> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users believe >> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless of >> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is >> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. >> >> >> >> >> Mike / KK5F >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Louandzip >> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM >> Cc: >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? >> >> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at >> higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't >> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski >> via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. >> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much >> difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, >> at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may >> be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. >>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, >> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for several >> years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that >> he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with >> a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know >> whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never >> used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a >> WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. >> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list >> and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to >> learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for >> any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft >> mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: >> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > >> ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft >> mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: >> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com >> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft >> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >> louandzip at yahoo.com >> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft >> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >> kk5f at earthlink.net >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to guidoted at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net From n6kr at elecraft.com Wed Jul 7 15:16:57 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:16:57 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> Message-ID: <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, and the default is (and always shall be) mode A. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jul 7, 2021, at 12:10 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the arguments about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn?t have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as it?s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn?t make a go of any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the past year,but that?s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and if was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s true with a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth that nothing can be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born with it,or not? is the common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases like CQ as a musical phrase. What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to you ? is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? This works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying will improve too. > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley at me. com > N7CQR at arrl.net > > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: >> >> ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to learn >> Iambic B. >> I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever key >> with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... >> 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp >> >> >>> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow ha >>> scritto: >>> >>> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous >>> closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much a >>> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic >>> stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. >>> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular >>> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the >>> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. >>> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic >>> stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired >>> final element has been sent. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although >>> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users even >>> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle >>> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users believe >>> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless of >>> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is >>> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Mike / KK5F >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Louandzip >>> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM >>> Cc: >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? >>> >>> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at >>> higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't >>> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski >>> via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. >>> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much >>> difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, >>> at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B may >>> be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. >>>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, >>> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for several >>> years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that >>> he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with >>> a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know >>> whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never >>> used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a >>> WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. >>> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list >>> and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to >>> learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for >>> any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft >>> mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >>> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft >>> mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >>> Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >>> louandzip at yahoo.com >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >>> kk5f at earthlink.net >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to guidoted at gmail.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com From jerry at tr2.com Wed Jul 7 15:19:16 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Wed, 07 Jul 2021 12:19:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: So I went out this morning to replace the CW filters with the upgrade kit. Unsoldered the 5 crystals. Removed one of them - whups, it's got the "S"! That means that the upgraded crystals are already installed. I thought there was no "S" - it was hard to read with them installed. So I resoldered the crystals. Being in there, I gave the RF board a scrub with IPA. Back to the shack.... ...Audio is way down. No transmit, not on CW nor on phone. I hauled it back to the bench, got out a visor magnifier and a powerful flashlight, and looked over the whole board for solder splashes and cold joints. Didn't find any splashes. Found & touched up a few iffy joints. Found one joint with no solder at all - just the component lead sticking up through the hole with air all around it. Soldered that one. Back to the shack. Still no joy. Guess I gotta troubleshoot it. Hauled the scope to the operating position. Brought up the schematic. Ready to start troubleshooting. Punched the power button and.... ....Everything works! Nice loud audio. Good transmit RF. Go figure... - Jerry KF6VB From k2vco.vic at gmail.com Wed Jul 7 15:29:49 2021 From: k2vco.vic at gmail.com (Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 22:29:49 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> Remember PTTL? Poorly Tinned Toroid Leads. Look for them. 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel CWops #5 Formerly K2VCO https://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 07/07/2021 22:19, jerry wrote: > So I went out this morning to replace the CW filters with the upgrade > kit. Unsoldered the 5 crystals. Removed one of them - whups, it's > got the "S"! That means that the upgraded crystals are already > installed. I thought there was no "S" - it was hard to read with > them installed. > > So I resoldered the crystals. Being in there, I gave the RF board a > scrub with IPA. Back to the shack.... > > ...Audio is way down. No transmit, not on CW nor on phone. > > I hauled it back to the bench, got out a visor magnifier and a > powerful flashlight, and looked over the whole board for solder > splashes and cold joints. Didn't find any splashes. Found & touched > up a few iffy joints. Found one joint with no solder at all - just > the component lead sticking up through the hole with air all around > it. Soldered that one. > > Back to the shack. Still no joy. Guess I gotta troubleshoot it. > > Hauled the scope to the operating position. Brought up the > schematic. Ready to start troubleshooting. Punched the power button > and.... > > ....Everything works! Nice loud audio. Good transmit RF. Go > figure... > > - Jerry KF6VB From chandlerusm at gmail.com Wed Jul 7 15:56:59 2021 From: chandlerusm at gmail.com (Chuck Chandler) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 15:56:59 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> Message-ID: I'd like to see bug mode as an option... for those of us who still use a bug, I find I can send pretty well with a keyer in bug mode. Iambic (of whatever alphabetical variety) is pretty atrocious. 73 de Chuck, WS1L chandlerusm at gmail.com On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 3:18 PM Wayne Burdick wrote: > This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to > reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, and > the default is (and always shall be) mode A. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > On Jul 7, 2021, at 12:10 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > > > I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless > of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the arguments > about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But > what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn?t > have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as > it?s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn?t make a go of > any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his > fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical > background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous > poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional > jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a > performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at > college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the > past year,but that?s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant > with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic > abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . > Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and if > was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s true with > a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth that nothing can > be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born with it,or not? is the > common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or > the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on > improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases > like CQ as a musical phrase. What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody > that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to > you ? is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow > tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then > gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. > Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? This > works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even > out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying > will improve too. > > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > > danpresley at me. com > > N7CQR at arrl.net > > > > > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: > >> > >> ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to > learn > >> Iambic B. > >> I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever > key > >> with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... > >> 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp > >> > >> > >>> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow < > kk5f at earthlink.net> ha > >>> scritto: > >>> > >>> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous > >>> closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much > a > >>> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic > >>> stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. > >>> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a > particular > >>> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in > the > >>> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. > >>> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic > >>> stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the > desired > >>> final element has been sent. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, > although > >>> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users > even > >>> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle > >>> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users > believe > >>> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless > of > >>> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, > there is > >>> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the > other. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Mike / KK5F > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -----Original Message----- > >>> From: Louandzip > >>> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM > >>> Cc: > >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? > >>> > >>> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at > >>> higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you > don't > >>> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom > Doligalski > >>> via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze > keying. > >>> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is > much > >>> difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, > 2021, > >>> at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B > may > >>> be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher > speeds. > >>>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 > AM, > >>> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for > several > >>> years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver > that > >>> he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW > with > >>> a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know > >>> whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has > never > >>> used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying > with a > >>> WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I > prefer. > >>> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this > list > >>> and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie > to > >>> learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in > advance for > >>> any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft > >>> mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > >>> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft > >>> mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > >>> Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> louandzip at yahoo.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> kk5f at earthlink.net > >>> > >>> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >>> Message delivered to guidoted at gmail.com > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to chandlerusm at gmail.com From aa4lr at arrl.net Wed Jul 7 17:49:59 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 17:49:59 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <67B88444-B44B-477E-B16F-1CFE5DAEF20E@arrl.net> I recommend choosing B, and use the iambic operation for every possible character (anything that alternates). Your friend will need to practice (a lot) before going on the air. It takes some getting used to. I can?t imagine using anything else. > On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:34 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: > > An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. > > I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. > > Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. > > Gary > KzeroCX > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From ehr at qrv.com Wed Jul 7 19:02:50 2021 From: ehr at qrv.com (Edward H Russell) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 19:02:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> Message-ID: <00a601d77384$364bbed0$a2e33c70$@qrv.com> Here here ? ?whiskey two rusty fist? -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 3:17 PM To: Dan Presley Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, and the default is (and always shall be) mode A. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jul 7, 2021, at 12:10 PM, Dan Presley < n7cqr at arrl.net> wrote: > > I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the arguments about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn?t have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as it?s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn?t make a go of any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the past year,but that?s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and if was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s true with a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth that nothing can be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born with it,or not? is the common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases like CQ as a musical phrase. What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to you ? is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? This works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying will improve too. > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley at me. com > N7CQR at arrl.net > > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi < guidoted at gmail.com> wrote: >> >> ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to >> learn Iambic B. >> I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single >> lever key with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... >> 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp >> >> >>> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow >>> < kk5f at earthlink.net> ha >>> scritto: >>> >>> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires >>> simultaneous closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A >>> is just as much a squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to >>> generate an iambic stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. >>> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a >>> particular iambic stream because it automatically generates the >>> final element in the stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. >>> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any >>> iambic stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until >>> the desired final element has been sent. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, >>> although many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode >>> B users even believe that they can generate some characters with >>> fewer paddle manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some >>> mode B users believe only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode >>> A is also. Regardless of the basis upon which a person selects and >>> learns mode A or mode B, there is no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Mike / KK5F >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Louandzip < louandzip at yahoo.com> >>> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM >>> Cc: < elecraft at mailman.qth.net> >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? >>> >>> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly >>> at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course >>> you don't have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, >>> Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. >>> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there >>> is much difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > >>> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always >>> used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. >>>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 >>>>> AM, >>> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for >>> several years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first >>> transceiver that he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has >>> always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex >>> paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode >>> A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, >>> before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. >>> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent >>> this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier >>> for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >>> >> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass >>> along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> >>> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: >>> http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: >>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to >>> n6kr at elecraft.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > Home: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> > Please help support this email list: >>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: >>> mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: >>> http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >>> louandzip at yahoo.com >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: >>> mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: >>> http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >>> kk5f at earthlink.net >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this >>> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >>> guidoted at gmail.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this >> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >> n7cqr at arrl.net > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > n6kr at elecraft.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ehr at qrv.com From aa4lr at arrl.net Wed Jul 7 20:34:59 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 20:34:59 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> Message-ID: <7F503284-AC53-402E-ABF5-1B8284B23859@arrl.net> If you want to understand DSP, the math underlying it and a lot of the capabilities and limitations, I recommend this book: http://www.dspguide.com/pdfbook.htm It is freely available from that link. You?ll have to read it on-line. I did, and found it to be the most readable explanation of DSP I had ever seen. > On Jun 30, 2021, at 10:44 PM, Hal Massey wrote: > > Digital Signal Processing is a field all unto itself. They are definitely *not* emulating mechanical filters. If they were they would be ringing like a mechanical filter. A great text is, "Discrete-Time Signal Processing by A. V. Oppenheim and R. W. Schafer. > > This is good news because we have not plumbed the depths of what can and can?t be done with DSP yet. > > >> On Jun 30, 2021, at 13:05, William Abernathy wrote: >> >> Hi, >> Seems that SDR radios have software emulation of mechanical filters like >> noise reduction. Do you think the future holds new filters written in >> software? I would like a subtraction filter that pulls out the guy 2 KC's >> away. Maybe the 2nd receiver could be tuned in on the station that needs >> to be subtracted from the primary. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Wiliam >> >> -- >> *William Abernathy* >> *AA8XX at arrl.net * >> *AA8XX* >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From ab1dd at outlook.com Wed Jul 7 21:51:55 2021 From: ab1dd at outlook.com (Carl) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 21:51:55 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement In-Reply-To: <7F503284-AC53-402E-ABF5-1B8284B23859@arrl.net> References: <1C342711-BE1E-4EE2-BCE4-87C6DACAFF40@gmail.com> <7F503284-AC53-402E-ABF5-1B8284B23859@arrl.net> Message-ID: You can download each chapter, look on the left side of the page, just above the Adobe Reader icon. Carl AB1DD On 7/7/2021 8:34 PM, Bill Coleman wrote: > If you want to understand DSP, the math underlying it and a lot of the capabilities and limitations, I recommend this book: > http://www.dspguide.com/pdfbook.htm > > It is freely available from that link. You?ll have to read it on-line. I did, and found it to be the most readable explanation of DSP I had ever seen. > > From w4nz at comcast.net Wed Jul 7 22:37:32 2021 From: w4nz at comcast.net (W4NZ Ted Bryant) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 22:37:32 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> Message-ID: <014301d773a2$34d43e60$9e7cbb20$@comcast.net> "... Iambic (of whatever alphabetical variety) is pretty atrocious..." https://www.morsex.com/pubs/iambicmyth.pdf Ted W4NZ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chuck Chandler Sent: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 3:57 PM To: Wayne Burdick Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? I'd like to see bug mode as an option... for those of us who still use a bug, I find I can send pretty well with a keyer in bug mode. Iambic (of whatever alphabetical variety) is pretty atrocious. 73 de Chuck, WS1L chandlerusm at gmail.com On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 3:18 PM Wayne Burdick wrote: > This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to > reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, and > the default is (and always shall be) mode A. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > On Jul 7, 2021, at 12:10 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > > > I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless > of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the arguments > about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But > what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn?t > have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as > it?s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn?t make a go of > any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his > fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical > background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous > poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional > jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a > performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at > college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the > past year,but that?s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant > with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic > abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . > Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and if > was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s true with > a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth that nothing can > be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born with it,or not? is the > common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or > the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on > improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases > like CQ as a musical phrase. What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody > that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to > you ? is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow > tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then > gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. > Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? This > works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even > out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying > will improve too. > > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > > danpresley at me. com > > N7CQR at arrl.net > > > > > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: > >> > >> ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to > learn > >> Iambic B. > >> I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever > key > >> with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... > >> 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp > >> > >> > >>> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow < > kk5f at earthlink.net> ha > >>> scritto: > >>> > >>> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous > >>> closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much > a > >>> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic > >>> stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. > >>> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a > particular > >>> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in > the > >>> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. > >>> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic > >>> stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the > desired > >>> final element has been sent. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, > although > >>> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users > even > >>> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle > >>> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users > believe > >>> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless > of > >>> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, > there is > >>> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the > other. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Mike / KK5F > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -----Original Message----- > >>> From: Louandzip > >>> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM > >>> Cc: > >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? > >>> > >>> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at > >>> higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you > don't > >>> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom > Doligalski > >>> via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze > keying. > >>> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is > much > >>> difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, > 2021, > >>> at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. Mode B > may > >>> be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher > speeds. > >>>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 > AM, > >>> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for > several > >>> years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first transceiver > that > >>> he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated CW > with > >>> a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know > >>> whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has > never > >>> used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying > with a > >>> WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I > prefer. > >>> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this > list > >>> and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie > to > >>> learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in > advance for > >>> any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft > >>> mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > >>> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft > >>> mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > >>> Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> louandzip at yahoo.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft > >>> mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> kk5f at earthlink.net > >>> > >>> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >>> Message delivered to guidoted at gmail.com > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to chandlerusm at gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to w4nz at comcast.net From n6tv at arrl.net Thu Jul 8 01:37:13 2021 From: n6tv at arrl.net (Bob Wilson, N6TV) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 22:37:13 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Key Out spec In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Though not in the K4 manuals, the K4 KEY OUT jack (an RCA phono connector) has the same specs as the K3 KEY OUT jack: capable of keying up to +200VDC @ 5A. The K4 uses the same MOSFET as the K3, an IRFI630 (see datasheet ). Note that the *other* key out line, PIN 8 on the ACC connector, is rated for 10 mA max, which is also the same as the K3. If you want to know how much current your amplifier KEY IN (relay) jack requires, short an ammeter across the KEY IN jack, negative lead to ground. This should key the amplifier relay, and then you can read the current. Usually it's way under 10 ma. 73, Bob, N6TV On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 10:51 AM wrote: > Hello > I need the voltage and current ratings on the K4 Key Out > interface. Have a home brew amp that might be exceeding the K4 > switching device ratings. And I don't want to let the smoke out. Hi 73 > Bob W1XP > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Choose to be safer online. > Opt-in to Cyber Safety with NortonLifeLock. > Plans starting as low as $6.95 per month.* > > https://store.netzero.net/account/showService.do?serviceId=nz-nLifeLock&utm_source=mktg&utm_medium=taglines&utm_campaign=nzlifelk_launch&utm_content=tag695&promoCode=A34454 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6tv at arrl.net > From ehr at qrv.com Thu Jul 8 05:34:19 2021 From: ehr at qrv.com (Edward H Russell) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 05:34:19 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <014301d773a2$34d43e60$9e7cbb20$@comcast.net> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> <014301d773a2$34d43e60$9e7cbb20$@comcast.net> Message-ID: <00b901d773dc$6ddc9150$4995b3f0$@qrv.com> Ted, Thanks for the link to that excellent article. I agree that a single lever paddle is a good option. Mine is from N0SA #145. I also enjoy my Begali Magnetic Classic with a WinKeyer in Ultimatic mode, which makes it essentially single lever. Both serve well at "normal" speeds up to about 33wpm. Above that my fist starts showing its age. A period becomes very difficult to send. Switching to Iambic makes that an easy squeeze, but there are problems with other characters. Maybe at speeds over 35 or so the best thing to do is switch to a keyboard. TKS, 73 ED W2RF -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of W4NZ Ted Bryant Sent: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 10:38 PM To: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? "... Iambic (of whatever alphabetical variety) is pretty atrocious..." https://www.morsex.com/pubs/iambicmyth.pdf Ted W4NZ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chuck Chandler Sent: Wednesday, July 7, 2021 3:57 PM To: Wayne Burdick Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? I'd like to see bug mode as an option... for those of us who still use a bug, I find I can send pretty well with a keyer in bug mode. Iambic (of whatever alphabetical variety) is pretty atrocious. 73 de Chuck, WS1L chandlerusm at gmail.com On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 3:18 PM Wayne Burdick wrote: > This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to > reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both > modes, and the default is (and always shall be) mode A. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > On Jul 7, 2021, at 12:10 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > > > I?d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending > > regardless > of which mode or key you use. I don?t think we?ll ever settle the > arguments about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students > start on B. But what really matters is the quality of the code you > send. And it doesn?t have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is > a nice touch as long as it?s still good copy. I had one student who > simply couldn?t make a go of any dual paddles,but he had excellent > results with a single lever,and his fist is very nice. On further > questioning,he had a strong musical background,which leads me to the > point I want to make, which a previous poster mentioned. My career was > a bit unusual in that I was a professional jazz musician (bassist) and > had the rare fortune to travel the world as a performer,and recording > artist,and in later years as an instructor at college and professional > levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the past year,but that?s > changing finally! As an instructor the one constant with every student > was the misperception of their rhythmic abilities,regardless of how good their?chops? (musical facility) were . > Almost universally they?d say?I have a good sense of time/rhythm? and > if was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that?s > true with a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there?s also a myth > that nothing can be done about your rhythmic abilities-?you?re born > with it,or not? is the common wisdom. True you may never get good > enough to hang with Steve Gad,or the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, > but you can certainly work on improving your rhythmic cw skills. A > couple of tips-think of little phrases like CQ as a musical phrase. > What?s that? Well-any little bit of a melody that you might have in > your head,or a bird song. Even ?happy birthday to you ? is a musical > phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow tempo like > 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. > Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like?name hr Dan? > This works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This > will even out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. > And-your copying will improve too. > > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > > danpresley at me. com > > N7CQR at arrl.net > > > > > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: > >> > >> ?99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest > >> to > learn > >> Iambic B. > >> I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single > >> lever > key > >> with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... > >> 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp > >> > >> > >>> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow < > kk5f at earthlink.net> ha > >>> scritto: > >>> > >>> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires > >>> simultaneous closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode > >>> A is just as much > a > >>> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an > >>> iambic stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. > >>> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a > particular > >>> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element > >>> in > the > >>> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. > >>> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any > >>> iambic stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed > >>> until the > desired > >>> final element has been sent. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, > although > >>> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B > >>> users > even > >>> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle > >>> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B > >>> users > believe > >>> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. > >>> Regardless > of > >>> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, > there is > >>> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over > >>> the > other. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Mike / KK5F > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -----Original Message----- > >>> From: Louandzip > >>> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM > >>> Cc: > >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? > >>> > >>> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, > >>> particularly at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most > >>> common. Of course you > don't > >>> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom > Doligalski > >>> via Elecraft wrote: I?ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze > keying. > >>> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there > >>> is > much > >>> difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul > >>> 6, > 2021, > >>> at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I?ve always used mode A. > >>> Mode B > may > >>> be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher > speeds. > >>>>> Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at > >>>>> 7:36 > AM, > >>> Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive > >>> for > several > >>> years, recently purchased a used K3. This is the first > >>> transceiver > that > >>> he?s owned that includes a built in keyer. He has always operated > >>> CW > with > >>> a straight key. He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to > >>> know whether to set the radio?s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. > >>> He has > never > >>> used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic > >>> keying > with a > >>> WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I > prefer. > >>> I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent > >>> this > list > >>> and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a > >>> newbie > to > >>> learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in > advance for > >>> any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> > >>> KzeroCX >> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft > >>> mailing list >> Home: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: > >>> http://www.qsl.net > >> > >>> Please help support this email list: > >>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to > >>> n6kr at elecraft.com > > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft > >>> mailing list > Home: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: > >>> Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: > >>> http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: > >>> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list Home: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: > >>> mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: > >>> http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> louandzip at yahoo.com > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list Home: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: > >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: > >>> mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: > >>> http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > >>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> kk5f at earthlink.net > >>> > >>> > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this > >>> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> guidoted at gmail.com > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this > >> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >> n7cqr at arrl.net > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this > > email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > > n6kr at elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > chandlerusm at gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to w4nz at comcast.net ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ehr at qrv.com From tzmitch at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 05:55:25 2021 From: tzmitch at gmail.com (Tommy Mitchell) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 05:55:25 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> Message-ID: And that's how I ended up being a Mode A operator without realizing it or even knowing the difference. Sneaky vendor lock-in! ;) Guess I'll just be stuck with Elecraft forever. 73 Tommy WZ4M On Wed, Jul 7, 2021, 15:19 Wayne Burdick wrote: > This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to > reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, and > the default is (and always shall be) mode A. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > From kc9jty at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 08:55:32 2021 From: kc9jty at gmail.com (Paul Easter) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 07:55:32 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] (no subject) Message-ID: From dbthompson at me.com Thu Jul 8 09:04:36 2021 From: dbthompson at me.com (David Thompson) Date: Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:04:36 -0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Broken MH3 Message-ID: <5d429911-9a74-4aba-a9c2-07bdd129182f@me.com> Morning all, While working the 13 Colonies event, I found I had three of the 13 stations missing (plus the specials) and those were running only phone. I noticed K2I was on the phone portion of 40m so I sent my call (CW mode). He worked me, although it took several tries to make the exchange cross mode. At least he copies Morse. I tried with another station, K2C, and that operator finally heard me. But all I got was a "Sorry OM, my code skills are not up to it."? So I retrieved the MH3 for my KX3 from the case and discovered the posts for the case screws are sheared. So I squeezed the shell together and attempted the contact again. But 35w phone was not getting it done. So I finished the event short a couple of stations. But I sure enjoyed working the event. Now to my question: Does anyone have a non-functioning MH3 who will salvage the case for me? I no longer use a microphone much but have occasional use for one so I want to keep a functioning mike in my kit. Many thanks and 73 de AG7TX... David Thompson Jack of All Trades Master of None AG7TX From ardrhi at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 13:25:46 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 13:25:46 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1ADECECE-4C74-4C47-9433-69E7DAFF9A66@elecraft.com> Message-ID: I'm a big fan of single lever paddles as well. I've got Steve W1SFR's Torsion Bar Cootie Paddle, and I adore it. The only issue I had was that it was too light, and skittered around. I guess that's why Steve made another version, the Fat Boy, with a much thicker and heavier base. I'd tried to solve it with a 3d-printed base, weighted with stick-on iron tire weights. It worked, but it wasn't ideal. I didn't want to just buy a Fat Boy, so I asked Steve how to solve it, and he sold me a Fat Boy base and walked me through modifying it to work with the original key. So my TBCP is a hybrid with a Fat Boy base. (I totally recommend just getting the Fat Boy from the beginning, though.) It's very easy to use, with practically the ideal gap settings from his workbench for use with either an electronic keyer (such as the one in my KX3) or as a Cootie. He supplies a stereo-mono adapter for this, but I solved that my own way. I built a small box that connects to the KX3 through the bottom 2x2 header for the Elecraft screw-on paddle. I even used the original screws to attach it to the bottom of the rig. A short stereo 1/8" cable runs from it to the Key socket on the left side of the rig. I wired it with 4 sockets on the front of the box, two wired to go to the left side socket, and two wired to the bottom socket. Then I set the KX3 for keyer on the left side, and hand key on the bottom. Now if I want to use it as a paddle with the keyer, it gets plugged directly into one of the two left-side jacks, and if I want to use it as a Cootie, I plug it into one of the right-side jacks. This key is amazing in either mode. It's practically silent in operation, no clattering or clip-clopping to disturb others in the room, and the contacts have clean makes and breaks, so the code it sends is excellent in either mode. I don't know how he managed it, but I don't have to change the adjustments when I switch between the modes. On my other keys, I have to radically change the gaps when I switch modes. I usually use Mode B when it's in keyer mode. I believe Mode A adds an extra element to the end, and that messes me up all the time. Even when I used a double lever paddle, I never squeeze keyed it. So I'm not missing anything with a single-lever key. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, Jul 8, 2021 at 5:57 AM Tommy Mitchell wrote: > And that's how I ended up being a Mode A operator without realizing it or > even knowing the difference. Sneaky vendor lock-in! ;) Guess I'll just be > stuck with Elecraft forever. > > 73 > Tommy WZ4M > > On Wed, Jul 7, 2021, 15:19 Wayne Burdick wrote: > > > This has been a great discussion, with many perspectives. Just to > > reiterate, all Elecraft radios going back to the K2 provide both modes, > and > > the default is (and always shall be) mode A. > > > > 73, > > Wayne > > N6KR > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > From kennnick at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 15:32:48 2021 From: kennnick at gmail.com (Nick Kennedy) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 14:32:48 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? Message-ID: I think the definitions of Mode A and Mode B are a little soft. I've taken it (mode B) as having element insertion when a paddle is tapped with the opposite paddle closed. For example, if I'm sending a string of dashes and I tap and release the dot paddle while one of the dashes is being sent, do I get a dot after the current dash or not? With my K3, it's Yes in both mode A and mode B. With other mode A keyers I've checked, it's No. I guess it's true that most manufacturers tend to have mode B, but my FT-991A offers both mode A and mode B. It also has mode Y, whatever that is. Maybe Y for Yaesu. 73, Nick, WA5BDU From ka9zap at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 15:34:16 2021 From: ka9zap at gmail.com (Art Nienhouse) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 14:34:16 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top Message-ID: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> Gwen Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self to the operating surface nicely. Regards Art ka9zap -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From kg9hfrank at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 15:38:23 2021 From: kg9hfrank at gmail.com (Frank Krozel) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 14:38:23 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> Message-ID: <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> And there goes my secret -73- Frank KG9H kg9hfrank at gmail.com > On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: > > Gwen > Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self to the operating surface nicely. > Regards > Art > ka9zap > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > https://www.avg.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to kg9hfrank at gmail.com From wb6rse1 at mac.com Thu Jul 8 15:47:46 2021 From: wb6rse1 at mac.com (wb6rse1 at mac.com) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 12:47:46 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> Message-ID: <4788DFDE-76F8-4D5E-8A1F-44780BE13CB5@mac.com> Or Museum Wax which holds indefinitely, is easy to move/remove and leaves no marks. Steve WB6RSE > On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:38 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: > > And there goes my secret > > -73- Frank KG9H > kg9hfrank at gmail.com > > > > >> On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: >> >> Gwen >> Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self to the operating surface nicely. >> Regards >> Art >> ka9zap >> From julia at juliatuttle.net Thu Jul 8 15:48:41 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 15:48:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> Message-ID: I often use isopropyl alcohol for this -- once it dries it tends to leave things tackier than water or spit would. It will eventually trash rubber feet, though, so you have to be okay treating those as occasional consumables. On Thu, Jul 8, 2021 at 3:40 PM Frank Krozel wrote: > And there goes my secret > > -73- Frank KG9H > kg9hfrank at gmail.com > > > > > > On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: > > > > Gwen > > Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet > with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self > to the operating surface nicely. > > Regards > > Art > > ka9zap > > > > -- > > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > > https://www.avg.com > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to kg9hfrank at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From wunder at wunderwood.org Thu Jul 8 16:06:44 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 13:06:44 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: <4788DFDE-76F8-4D5E-8A1F-44780BE13CB5@mac.com> References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> <4788DFDE-76F8-4D5E-8A1F-44780BE13CB5@mac.com> Message-ID: <3BB1E44A-8EEC-41BF-8A32-054498CCB686@wunderwood.org> Yep, Museum Wax is the good stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:47 PM, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft wrote: > > Or Museum Wax which holds indefinitely, is easy to move/remove and leaves no marks. > > Steve WB6RSE > >> On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:38 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: >> >> And there goes my secret >> >> -73- Frank KG9H >> kg9hfrank at gmail.com >> >>> On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: >>> >>> Gwen >>> Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self to the operating surface nicely. >>> Regards >>> Art >>> ka9zap >>> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org From ac5p at sbcglobal.net Thu Jul 8 16:14:18 2021 From: ac5p at sbcglobal.net (Mike Maloney) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 20:14:18 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top References: <1215636443.2037889.1625775258200.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1215636443.2037889.1625775258200@mail.yahoo.com> A short strip of friction tape under the feet works well also.?? Mike AC5P On Thursday, July 8, 2021, 03:07:37 PM CDT, Walter Underwood wrote: Yep, Museum Wax is the good stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:47 PM, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft wrote: > > Or Museum Wax which holds indefinitely, is easy to move/remove and leaves no marks. > > Steve WB6RSE > >> On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:38 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: >> >> And there goes my secret >> >> -73-? Frank? ? KG9H >> kg9hfrank at gmail.com >> >>> On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: >>> >>> Gwen >>> Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self to the operating surface nicely. >>> Regards >>> Art >>> ka9zap >>> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ac5p at sbcglobal.net From n6zw at comcast.net Thu Jul 8 17:28:21 2021 From: n6zw at comcast.net (MIKE ZANE) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 14:28:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing keys Message-ID: <1208199827.255424.1625779701618@connect.xfinity.com> The Non-slip dash mats work very well too, that's all I use. Mike n6zw From ardrhi at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 16:59:44 2021 From: ardrhi at gmail.com (Gwen Patton) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 16:59:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: <3BB1E44A-8EEC-41BF-8A32-054498CCB686@wunderwood.org> References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> <4788DFDE-76F8-4D5E-8A1F-44780BE13CB5@mac.com> <3BB1E44A-8EEC-41BF-8A32-054498CCB686@wunderwood.org> Message-ID: Unfortunately, the table I have the key on does not have a nice, smooth surface. It's a plastic table that is stored in the right side armrest of my recliner, and swings up on a support arm. The surface is too hard and irregular for the rubber feet to gain any purchase. To combat this, I have a sheet of soft, highly textured shelf liner fastened down. It's designed to keep glasses and cups from sliding around on shelves, so they don't fall out and break if you nudge them. It works quite well, and even better with the heavier base on my key. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 73, Gwen, NG3P On Thu, Jul 8, 2021 at 4:07 PM Walter Underwood wrote: > Yep, Museum Wax is the good stuff. > > https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U < > https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U> > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > > > On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:47 PM, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft < > elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote: > > > > Or Museum Wax which holds indefinitely, is easy to move/remove and > leaves no marks. > > > > Steve WB6RSE > > > >> On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:38 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: > >> > >> And there goes my secret > >> > >> -73- Frank KG9H > >> kg9hfrank at gmail.com > >> > >>> On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: > >>> > >>> Gwen > >>> Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber > feet with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its > self to the operating surface nicely. > >>> Regards > >>> Art > >>> ka9zap > >>> > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to wunder at wunderwood.org > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ardrhi at gmail.com > From M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk Thu Jul 8 18:28:32 2021 From: M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk (David Ferrington, M0XDF) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 23:28:32 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> Message-ID: Isopropyl Alcohol should not leave any residue! -- 73 de M0XDF > On 8 Jul 2021, at 20:48, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > I often use isopropyl alcohol for this -- once it dries it tends to leave > things tackier than water or spit would. It will eventually trash rubber > feet, though, so you have to be okay treating those as occasional > consumables. From julia at juliatuttle.net Thu Jul 8 18:31:00 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 18:31:00 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> Message-ID: It doesn't leave residue -- I think it just leaves the rubber (or whichever) cleaner than water or spit would, so there's less oil/dust/etc. and the runner's natural tackiness can work. On Thu, Jul 8, 2021, 18:28 David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: > Isopropyl Alcohol should not leave any residue! > -- > 73 de M0XDF > > On 8 Jul 2021, at 20:48, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > I often use isopropyl alcohol for this -- once it dries it tends to leave > things tackier than water or spit would. It will eventually trash rubber > feet, though, so you have to be okay treating those as occasional > consumables. > > > From dave.w8ov at gmail.com Thu Jul 8 19:27:27 2021 From: dave.w8ov at gmail.com (Dave W8OV) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 18:27:27 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing keys In-Reply-To: <1208199827.255424.1625779701618@connect.xfinity.com> References: <1208199827.255424.1625779701618@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: I use an inverted mouse pad; thicker is better. Dave, W8OV From a.durbin at msn.com Thu Jul 8 19:34:52 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 23:34:52 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 Message-ID: The next generation KAT500 should measure the complex load impedance, including the sign of X, compute the L and C required to match, and plug in those values as the initial tuning solution. Why wouldn't this approach be better than flailing around in the dark like most auto tuners seem to do? I doubt this will ever happen but the idea of combining the KAT500, LP-100A, and an Arduino controller to implement this "smart" tuner keeps banging around in my head. Maybe one day I'll give it a try. 73, Andy, k3wyc From don at w3fpr.com Thu Jul 8 19:36:55 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 19:36:55 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top In-Reply-To: References: <551206e4-bc0f-2b15-e39a-b000851cdc42@gmail.com> <32645D72-79F4-4A70-8738-7D394C6ABD5D@gmail.com> Message-ID: <5cea6b4c-56e2-027d-67d7-f9118c59b25d@w3fpr.com> Have any of you with key chasing problems tried putting the key on a piece of a mouse pad?? Don't be afraid to cut it, it is an inexpensive solution (sometimes free). I use a key with a very heavy base (Tony Baleno key) and do not have a problem even though I am a 'slap paddles' type. Try the mouse pad right side up and 'wrong side up' and see what happens.? I have the spacing on Tony's single lever paddle set quite close and have no problems with it even when slapping the paddle. With a lighter weight key, you can try it first with a full mouse pad, and the cut it only after you find it works. I highly recommend Tony's keys if you are in the market for a quality set of paddles - they are not inexpensive, but quality counts a lot.? The Begali keys are good too, but the keying grips are set too low for my tastes.? I progressed from a bug and like to do the 'wrist roll' when operating the paddles - that means I need to have the handle(s) about 1.5 inches above the table.? Tony has several varieties of both single lever and dual lever paddles - he is a a quality machinist. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/8/2021 6:31 PM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > It doesn't leave residue -- I think it just leaves the rubber (or > whichever) cleaner than water or spit would, so there's less oil/dust/etc. > and the runner's natural tackiness can work. > > From a.durbin at msn.com Thu Jul 8 19:47:41 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 23:47:41 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Interconnecting KPA500 to KTA500 and ANAN7000dle Message-ID: "To add to what Jack said, several of us use Kenwood transceiver (TS-590 and TS-890) with KPA500-KAT500 combos. The Aux cable is useless. To get the KPA500 to follow the radio frequency, here is the circuit of the homemade 9-pin cables we are using: https://groups.io/g/TS-890/files/Kenwood_KPA500_KAT500%20Y%20cable.pdf Mind you this is for Kenwoods (Elecraft copied their protocol). The amp will query the radio VFO A for frequency and the dumb KAT500 will follow along. The downside is the amp must be powered up to have the tuner track. Also you have to fuss with some parameters in the KAT500 to keep it from switching tuning solutions during a transmission when the frequency counter disagrees with the serial data. (Reportedly a known bug, now completely off Elecraft's radar)" If I had know that chicken scratching would have been so widely disseminated I would have drawn it a bit neater. Good to know it has been useful. Don't give up hope on the range of the Elecraft radar. I'm seeing some encouraging blips in the grass. Andy, k3wyc From ab4iq at comcast.net Thu Jul 8 19:48:27 2021 From: ab4iq at comcast.net (Ed Pflueger) Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 18:48:27 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Chasing keys In-Reply-To: References: <1208199827.255424.1625779701618@connect.xfinity.com> Message-ID: <00cc01d77453$c19fc560$44df5020$@comcast.net> I use a Keyboard, it already had rubber feet on it. Ed.. AB4IQ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave W8OV Sent: Thursday, July 8, 2021 6:27 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Chasing keys I use an inverted mouse pad; thicker is better. Dave, W8OV ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ab4iq at comcast.net From a.durbin at msn.com Fri Jul 9 07:18:55 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 11:18:55 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly Message-ID: "Is there a Command that would help to alleviate this behavior? Or a way to tell the KAT500 to ignore one or more of its preset frequencies that are causing issues?" How are you telling your KAT500 what frequency to use. CAT, Counter, or both? Is you KAT500 in MAN or AUTO mode? If you are commanding frequency with CAT then FCCS 50000; will make the KAT500 ignore counter frequency for up to 50 seconds and stop any toggling between CAT and counter frequencies. Commands MTM0; and MTA0; ought to help but, according to my test notes, they don't work as documented. 73, Andy, k3wyc From dk5ya at dk5ya.de Fri Jul 9 08:01:31 2021 From: dk5ya at dk5ya.de (Udo Langenohl - DK5YA) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 14:01:31 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] WTB: K-POD Message-ID: Anybody out there who wants to sell his K-POD? Ruined mine today due to stupidity while cleaning up the shack. K-POD was falling on the floor while I was moving a very heavy metal desk and landed right under the foot the moment when I let go of the table. Lesson learned: don't clean up the shack even when the XYL gives a lot of pressure... :-( 73 Udo, DK5YA From Lyn at LNAINC.com Fri Jul 9 09:46:21 2021 From: Lyn at LNAINC.com (Lyn Norstad) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 08:46:21 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <096901d774c8$cdc4ffc0$694eff40$@LNAINC.com> Andy - I had a response from Dick D, and he suggested disabling Recall Tune on QSY in both MAN and AUTO modes. I did so, and the problem stopped ... for a day or two ... but comes back if I operate in MAN mode very long (I normally leave it in AUTO). I am using Counter for frequency info (ICOM). I believe MTM0 and MTA0 would do the same. I have experimented with various FCCS settings in the past - including 50000 - and will revisit that. Basically, the KAT does not exhibit the stability it had when new (2 years ago). And I seem to need to go thru this whole process about every 6 months or so. My first step is always to check the antenna system, but that has not revealed any issues. Perhaps aging components are at fault. If there was a test for same, that would be helpful. But the issues are not critical enough for me to send it in for service since it is out of warranty, and who needs to clog up the Mother Ship at this time? 73 Lyn, W0LEN -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andy Durbin Sent: Friday, July 09, 2021 6:19 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly "Is there a Command that would help to alleviate this behavior? Or a way to tell the KAT500 to ignore one or more of its preset frequencies that are causing issues?" How are you telling your KAT500 what frequency to use. CAT, Counter, or both? Is you KAT500 in MAN or AUTO mode? If you are commanding frequency with CAT then FCCS 50000; will make the KAT500 ignore counter frequency for up to 50 seconds and stop any toggling between CAT and counter frequencies. Commands MTM0; and MTA0; ought to help but, according to my test notes, they don't work as documented. 73, Andy, k3wyc ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com From a.durbin at msn.com Fri Jul 9 14:12:54 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 18:12:54 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 80 meter anomaly In-Reply-To: <096901d774c8$cdc4ffc0$694eff40$@LNAINC.com> References: , <096901d774c8$cdc4ffc0$694eff40$@LNAINC.com> Message-ID: All the frequencies lie in the same bin and there will be some, perhaps a lot of, variation in match as the frequency changes. I would first run an autotune at the mid point of all the frequencies. I would then use MAN mode to prevent auto tune on frequency change within the same bin. Autotune can come up with some really bad matches particularly if the transmitter folds back during the tune attempt. KAT firmware can see reflected power as zero with low forward power even if the match is horrible (coupler is low sensitivity) and this makes it believe it has found a good match. 73, Andy, k3wyc From jimlcary at gmail.com Fri Jul 9 15:58:35 2021 From: jimlcary at gmail.com (Jim Cary) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 15:58:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3S and PC Not talking Message-ID: <93CBEABC-3B40-468A-BE4F-88053D78F297@gmail.com> I took a power surge the other day which wiped out my computer. I?ve replaced the computer, but it and the K3S are not talking now. I?ve made sure RS232 is configured to USB, tried a couple of different USB ports on the PC (which I know are good since they will recognize a flash drive), as well as different USB cables. The device manager list shows two Com Ports: Communications Port (Com1) Intel Active Management Technology - SOL (Com3) Nothing changes when I plug in the USB Cable from the K3 and the K3 Utility cannot find either Port. My gut feel is that there is something wrong on the PC end since the K3 had no problem communicating with the old PC. But I?d like to prove that. Is there some way I can test out the K3 USB? Unfortunately the PC does not have a RS232 connector so I can try that as an alternative. I updated the PC COM drivers but that made no difference. Or perhaps one of you computer guru?s can tell me how to check out the computer COM ports. Any help would be gratefully accepted! Jim W2SM From alan at wilcoxengineering.com Fri Jul 9 16:12:25 2021 From: alan at wilcoxengineering.com (Alan D. Wilcox) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 16:12:25 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services Message-ID: <5919ddb0-ca70-ee24-8c9f-209d782301df@wilcoxengineering.com> ????????????????? "W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts? (Click on "Retired Products") Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 From n6kr at elecraft.com Fri Jul 9 18:39:56 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 15:39:56 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Beta Software Release 19 now available Message-ID: <0C30217E-8F07-41C2-A0B0-06052F06336B@elecraft.com> K4 beta software release 19 is now available. Release notes are provided below. They can also be viewed at the K4 itself from within the update app. This release has significant improvements and is recommended for all K4 owners. To install the beta software, make sure you have an ethernet connection, then: 1. Tap Fn, then hold UPDATE 2. Use the pulldown menu at the top of the screen to select Beta Release (if you didn't have this selected already). 3. Tap Check for Updates. This downloads the new code but does not do the installation. This gives you an opportunity to optionally tap "Release Notes" and read the notes first. 4. When you're ready to do the installation, tap "Install". NOTE: If the status area shows error messages of any kind, try doing the install a second time. You may have had an older version of the update app itself, in which case a second install should complete the process. 73, Wayne N6KR * * * K4 SOFTWARE RELEASE NOTES ==================== ==== RELEASE 19 ==== ==================== 6-23-2021 MAX AF GAIN INCREASED. MAX VOICE MONITOR LEVEL INCREASED. DATA MONITOR LEVEL BUG FIX: Previously, the lowest active level (1) was too loud. Also increased max value. K-POD SWITCH MACRO PROGRAMMING: In the K4's built-in macro editor, K-Pod switches now listed as 1 tap, 1 hold, 2 tap, 2 hold, etc. DYNAMIC RANGE ICON: When MENU:RX Dyn. Range Optimization is set to ON, a new icon appears to the right of the RIT/XIT box. The icon is a hybrid of the capital letters 'D' and 'R'. MORE PROMINENT ADC OVERFLOW INDICATION: In an extreme strong-signal situation, it is possible to reach the highest voltage allowed by the A-to-D converter. In this case the S-meter's "+60" label will change to "OVF" until the condition is resolved. (Previously, the "+" sign in the label simply changed color.) In most cases you won't hear any change in the receive audio when this occurs, especially if it occurs rarely. But if it happens frequently, you may wish to reduce the front-end gain of the affected receiver(s). The K4 can automatically reduce gain incrementally in this situation; set MENU:RX Auto Attenuation to ON. EXTERNAL REFERENCE LOCKING NOW MORE ACCURATE: When locked to an external reference, the K4's VFOs should now be within +/- 1 Hz across the full tuning range. Previously the reading was slightly high, as much as +5 Hz at 50 MHz (0.1 ppm). AGC PULSE REJECT IMPROVEMENTS: Previously, with MENU:AGC Noise Pulse Reject set to ON, AGC was being modulated by noise and signals under some band conditions. Now, the pulse reject threshold moves upward in response to strong signals to prevent this from occurring. Note: In the presence of very strong continuous noise, turn on the noise blanker. It is highly effective in this case even at very low settings. AGC DECAY RANGE EXPANDED: For example, MENU:AGC Decay, Slow can now be set as low as 5 (very slow). TRANSVERTER BANDS: Frequency memories and direct frequency entry now support transverter bands (up to 99 GHz). SOFTWARE UPDATE: Software update function now handles missing internet connection correctly. Save/Restore function handles K-Pod macros. Button debounce improved. ==================== ==== RELEASE 18 ==== ==================== 6-8-2021 NEW STATUS DISPLAY -- TIME/TX: There's a new option for the status area display: time (Z) and TX parameters (power and SWR). To select this option, tap the status area (above the "?" Button), then tap TIME/TX. TRANSVERTER BANDS: The K4 now has 12 user-programmable bands for use with external transverters. Transverter bands must be set up prior to use using the XVTR menu entries. The first XVTR menu entry specifies which of the 12 bands is being set up. Once setup is complete, you can tap BAND > XVTR > XVTRn to switch VFO A to a desired transverter band. Tap BAND > HF to go back to the last HF-6 m band. VFO B can be directly set to a transverter band by tapping BSET, then the BAND button. DUAL TRANSVERTER BAND RECEIVE: You can receive on two external transverters simultaneously with a K4D. Set up one to use RX ANT 1 and the other to use XVTR IN/RX ANT 2. RX DYNAMIC RANGE OPTIMIZATION: By default, new menu entry "RX Dyn. Range Optimization" is turned on. This configures the A-to-D converter for best dynamic range. Turning this off may slightly improve sensitivity. At present the setting applies to all bands; in a future release it may be settable per-band. VFO CURSORS CAN BE MOVED DURING TRANSMIT: If you move the VFOs during transmit, the associated panadapter cursors will update, even though the spectrum and waterfall remain frozen. BUILT-IN KEYBOARD UPDATED: All extended punctuation keys are now grouped to the right side of the keyboard. A new key has been added for tilde (~) and single quote ('). FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS: (1) SPLIT is now exited on receipt of and FR0 or FR1 command. (2) Added support for #ARM; #ARA; #AR/;. (3) Added transverter selection and setup commands: XV, XVM, XVR, XVI, XVO, XVP commands. ==================== ==== RELEASE 17 ==== ==================== 5-27-2021 DATA-MODE BANDWIDTH RESTORED: Data mode bandwidth is now correctly saved/restored across power cycles. RELEASE NOTES LISTING: When viewing release notes in the software update screen, they now start at the beginning of the listing rather than at the end. RECEIVE IMPROVEMENT: DSP code has been updated to suppress a 12 kHz offset spur that could be observed above the noise floor with an extremely strong signal (S9+40 or so). FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS: Add support for TD/; VT/; (fine toggle) and VT\; (coarse toggle). Added K3 legacy switch translation for SWH49;SWT49; ==================== ==== RELEASE 16 ==== ==================== 5-25-2021 TX DELAY SETTINGS: There is now only one TX DLY menu entry: TX DLY, Key Out to RF Out. The delay range is 5 to 25 ms; default is 8 ms. NOTE: Use the smallest value needed for external amp switching. 5 ms recommended for fast CW QSK speed (this compatible with Elecraft amplifiers). RECEIVE BANDWIDTH: Accuracy of FILTER BW control settings improved. SSB AND ESSB TX BANDWIDTH: Completed TX SSB/ESSB bandwidth controls. Tap TX > ESSB ON|OFF to turn ESSB on or off. The button to the left sets the SSB or TX bandwidth independently. When ESSB is in effect, a "+" sign is added to the LSB or USB mode indicator. Also, speech compression is turned off. NOTE: In regular SSB modes, when speech compression (XMTR > CMP) is set to any value other than 0, the transmit bandwidth is reduced slightly to emphasize mid-range speech components. In a future release this behavior will be adjustable. ==================== ==== RELEASE 15 ==== ==================== 5-24-2021 10-KHZ LCD "WHINE" ELIMINATED. MACRO EDITOR: Added initial support for macro command string creation and editing. Tap Fn, then hold MACRO. Macros can be assigned to PF1-PF4, F1-F8, REM ANT switch, and all 16 K-Pod switches. Refer to K4 Programmer's Reference for command details. Full details on the macro editor will be available in the operating manual on next update. FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS: Added support for "ping" over Ethernet. Added commands NA/; SP/; BS/; TX/; FX/; DV/; DV\;. Added translations for legacy K3 switch emulation commands: SWH11; SWH14; SWT14; SWT16; SWH29; SWT29; SWH32; SWT32; SWT33; SWT34; SWT42; SWT43; SWH50; SWT53; SWH58;. Fixed K-Pod RIT control and screen capture issues. SSB AND ESSB BANDWIDTH: The TX bandwidth can now be set for both SSB and ESSB (Extended SSB). Tap TX > SSB BW to set bandwidth. Tap ESSB to turn ESSB mode on/off. PANADAPTER CURSORS: The cursors in the panadapter spectrum display now extend into the waterfall during VFO movement. SOFTWARE UPDATER UI IMPROVEMENTS: Improved feedback on switches and during software update operations. ==================== ==== RELEASE 14 ==== ==================== 5-14-2021 USB FLASH DRIVE UN-MOUNTS AUTOMATICALLY: When a USB flash drive is used for screen captures, etc., it will be mounted/unmounted only when needed by the associated function. This allows the drive to be removed without an explicit unmount or eject action on the part of the user. It also prevents errors when the USB drive is subsequently plugged into a Windows computer. PANADAPTER CURSORS IN WATERFALL: Panadapter cursors in the waterfall area have been restored. These appear only when the VFO is moved. TX PARAMETER FLASH CORRECTED: Previously, TX parameters were being flashed in the status area even when TX PARAM was not selected. SUPPLY VOLTAGE READING FIXED: The voltage shown in the status area (when TX PARAM is selected for status) now more accurately reflects the supply voltage at the APP connector. PA CURRENT READING ADJUSTED: Measured KPA4 current now accounts for copper trace length at the ends of KPAIO4-R3, the .005 ohm PA current-sense resistor. This improves accuracy of the total radio current shown in the status area (when TX PARAM is selected), as well as separate PA current reading in the "All Param" window. FSK DTR SOURCE SELECTION: The DPU PCB hardware revision is now taken into account when setting up the enable lines for FSK keying via DTR lines. This will affect how external software is set up; see operating manual. ADC OVERFLOW INDICATION: The "+" symbol in "+60" on the S-meter turns magenta if the associated receiver's ADC hits overflow level. In previous releases this was happening on some transitions from RX to TX. With this corrected, uers can now set MENU:RX Auto Attenuation to ON if desired. From repoma6103 at aol.com Fri Jul 9 19:22:07 2021 From: repoma6103 at aol.com (Jim Weatherford) Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2021 23:22:07 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] looking for documentation on E870018 PA/LPF for KPA500 References: <80142700.2607817.1625872927323.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <80142700.2607817.1625872927323@mail.yahoo.com> I have reached out to Elecraft support, and they have acknowledged, but they let me know it may be a week or more before their amp team can reply. I have damaged components in the LPF portion of the KPA500 PA/LPF Assembly - E870018. Does anyone have any details of how that assembly is put together, and/or full specs on the LPF caps? The KPA500 schematic only shows component values. 73, Jim WU6K From jimlcary at gmail.com Sat Jul 10 06:55:14 2021 From: jimlcary at gmail.com (Jim Cary) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 06:55:14 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge?) Message-ID: <4A8821F7-87D1-4B1D-A9B5-B1EC4E791A03@gmail.com> I posted a note yesterday that I took a power surge which knocked out my PC and couldn?t connect to my K3S. Thanks to all the input for you guys, it would appear that the IO board on the K3S got fried. Still to be confirmed, but strongly suspect true. I figured I better check out the KPA-1500, and sure enough the KPA-1500 utility came up with the error message shown in the attachment. n Does this indicate there is a problem with the COM port on the PC, or with the 1500? Jim W2SM From g4ari at btinternet.com Sat Jul 10 07:36:35 2021 From: g4ari at btinternet.com (Tim Raven) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 12:36:35 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 ANT1 / ANT2 switching Message-ID: <001501d7757f$d7310790$859316b0$@btinternet.com> Hi, I have acquired a second-hand K3/100 with the Auto ATU and 2nd receiver, which I have been checking out, calibrating and installing extra filters. Everything has worked exactly as expected, until I tried to use an antenna connected to ANT2 socket. I have a fan dipole connected to ANT1, and a 50 Ohm dummy load to ANT2. When I press the ANT button with the AUTO ATU in Bypass, there's a click, and the annunciation changes from ANT1 to ANT2, but I can still hear signals just as loud, even though there a dummy load on ANT2. Also If I transmit, it doesn't matter whether I have ANT1 or ANT2 selected, RF always comes out of ANT1 socket. If I have the ATU activated, the symptoms are exactly the same, except when I switch from ANT1 to ANT2 there's no click. The Auto ATU works fine, and I have the KRX3 "ANT=bnc" set. I can also hear stations on the 2nd receiver through the ANT1 socket or via AUX antenna socket. The firmware has been updated to the latest versions for MCU, FPF, and both DSP units. Any help would be most welcome. 73 de Tim G4ARI From gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com Sat Jul 10 09:53:38 2021 From: gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com (Gareth M5KVK) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 13:53:38 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Trouble using MH3 microphone with KX2 Message-ID: Hi all I?ve typically been using my MH3 with a KX3 for /P operating from my campervan. This last week I?ve been doing some SOTA activations, so I?ve been using my KX2 instead. I noticed a couple of issues when setting the Mic gain. I followed the advised procedure and reduced PWR=0, TX CMP=0, squeezed the PTT and spoke normally into the MH3. I found that there was no indication at all on the ALC meter until at about MIC=65, ALC jumped to 6-7. Mic bias is on. I also noticed on a few occasions that when operating, pressing PTT had no effect until I slightly increased the MIC gain. The MH3 works fine on my KX3, so I?m assuming the MH3 is OK, but I can?t figure where the problem lies. 73 Gareth ? M5KVK From gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com Sat Jul 10 09:57:26 2021 From: gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com (Gareth M5KVK) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 13:57:26 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested slight modification to the AX1 Message-ID: I?ve been using the AX1 for my SOTA activations. Lovely job, but I?ve made a slight mod to make it easier. All I?ve done is make a small loop in the end of the counterpoise wire so that I can peg it out. It?s just big enough for the peg to fit though, and is then wrapped a couple of times and held in place with yellow shrink wrap (to make the end more visible). I know it makes the counterpoise a bit shorter, but I?ve not noticed any problem. 73 Gareth ? M5KVK From n6kr at elecraft.com Sat Jul 10 13:12:06 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 10:12:06 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Suggested slight modification to the AX1 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Gareth, An inch or two shorter counterpoise won't have much impact. Terrain, body capacitance, height above ground, and cables from other attached accessories contribute far more to SWR changes. I wouldn't make the loop too large as this could result in snags when dragging the counterpoise over brush, etc. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jul 10, 2021, at 6:57 AM, Gareth M5KVK wrote: > > I?ve been using the AX1 for my SOTA activations. Lovely job, but I?ve made a slight mod to make it easier. > > All I?ve done is make a small loop in the end of the counterpoise wire so that I can peg it out. It?s just big enough for the peg to fit though, and is then wrapped a couple of times and held in place with yellow shrink wrap (to make the end more visible). > > I know it makes the counterpoise a bit shorter, but I?ve not noticed any problem. > > 73 > > Gareth ? M5KVK From fstein at ieee.org Sat Jul 10 14:01:41 2021 From: fstein at ieee.org (Frank Stein) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 14:01:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX light flashing when RTS=PTT Message-ID: At Field Day this year, the K3 TX light started flashing when we loaded N1MM to use RTS=PTT to send .wav files. This only occurs when RTS=PTT is set on the rig. I thought it was a bug in N1MM but it also does this when using N3FLP's logger and the flashing corresponds to the polling rate (which N3FJP allows one to set). This is not a bug in either program since I get the same response when I use the K3 Utility and select Terminal Tab. Why would polling the rig cause the TX light to flash and the receive audio to momentarily drop? This is not a temporary initiation of the USB-RS-232 connection. And more importantly, what setting is wrong that is causing this? I have tried a different computer with a rs-232 port and I get the same result. Thanks, Frank W4TG fstein at ieee.org From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Sat Jul 10 14:30:18 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:30:18 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge?) In-Reply-To: <4A8821F7-87D1-4B1D-A9B5-B1EC4E791A03@gmail.com> References: <4A8821F7-87D1-4B1D-A9B5-B1EC4E791A03@gmail.com> Message-ID: On 7/10/2021 3:55 AM, Jim Cary wrote: > I posted a note yesterday that I took a power surge That's probably because some part of your station was getting power from a circuit that had an MOV "surge protector" in it, and your station was not properly bonded. Study N0AX's ARRL book on the topic, to which I contributed, and/or this slide deck for talks I've done on it. http://k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf MOV "surge protectors" are a common CAUSE of destructive failures. 73, Jim K9YC From h3cary at gmail.com Sat Jul 10 14:41:27 2021 From: h3cary at gmail.com (Hunsdon Cary III) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 14:41:27 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 Message-ID: <57E1A027-3297-4173-BE39-7F69E0BAF664@gmail.com> I have #380 and yesterday, for the first time, tried to use the 2nd antenna port but it?s not available and a check of my manual says ?for future use?. Has a subsequent firmware update added access to the 2nd antenna port? 73, Cary K4TM Lynchburg VA Sent from Clovelly Cottage II, home of amateur radio station K4TM and the most creative Sue Cary, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. From weaverwf at usermail.com Sat Jul 10 14:54:23 2021 From: weaverwf at usermail.com (weaverwf at usermail.com) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 14:54:23 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 In-Reply-To: <57E1A027-3297-4173-BE39-7F69E0BAF664@gmail.com> References: <57E1A027-3297-4173-BE39-7F69E0BAF664@gmail.com> Message-ID: Do you have it disabled? 73, Bill WE5P Comfortably Numb > On Jul 10, 2021, at 14:42, Hunsdon Cary III wrote: > > ?I have #380 and yesterday, for the first time, tried to use the 2nd antenna port but it?s not available and a check of my manual says ?for future use?. > Has a subsequent firmware update added access to the 2nd antenna port? > 73, > Cary > K4TM > Lynchburg VA > > Sent from Clovelly Cottage II, home of amateur radio station K4TM and the most creative Sue Cary, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to weaverwf at usermail.com From forums at david-woolley.me.uk Sat Jul 10 15:06:57 2021 From: forums at david-woolley.me.uk (David Woolley) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 20:06:57 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <67063d36-d090-0dac-4b59-c41b4ed7c1e0@david-woolley.me.uk> That basically requires measuring I and Q components from the reflected power coupler, rather than just magnitude. That, in turn, means deriving a reasonably accurate quadrature copy of the main transmit signal. I suspect one of the factors here may be that the tuner has a wider matching range than the dynamic range of the reflected power sensor. However, even with the existing hardware, if you are in the dynamic range of the reflected power coupler, you can work out which constant SWR circle you are on on the Smith chart, and I suspect that, if you probed with carefully chosen partial corrections you could probably find two solutions with one more measurement, and remove the ambiguity with the third, even using the existing hardware. The third could probably be based on one of the two solutions. I'd still suggest the biggest problem is the dynamic range of the reverse coupler, as, once you have an in range SWR, you can use a minimum finding algorithm to home in. Incidentally, if you do need to do a brute force search, using a Gray code progression will be kinder on the relays than linear sweeps. Some of this may actually already be being done. -- David Woolley On 09/07/2021 00:34, Andy Durbin wrote: > The next generation KAT500 should measure the complex load impedance, including the sign of X, compute the L and C required to match, and plug in those values as the initial tuning solution. Why wouldn't this approach be better than flailing around in the dark like most auto tuners seem to do? > > I doubt this will ever happen but the idea of combining the KAT500, LP-100A, and an Arduino controller to implement this "smart" tuner keeps banging around in my head. Maybe one day I'll give it a try. > > 73, > Andy, k3wyc > > > From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Sat Jul 10 15:59:00 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 14:59:00 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sure, power strips are inexpensive.? But they really only protect against one type of power surge. ? If the voltage spikes, the breaker should trip. However, this isn?t always instantaneous.? Delicate devices can still be damaged, and many other types of surges will just pass right through without tripping the? surge protector.? Not the best solution. Despite being called a surge protector, this name doesn?t give you the whole story.? These don?t even come close to the protection whole house surge protectors offer you. Additionally, many consumers overlook their most expensive possessions when using power strips as a surge protector. Is your phone and laptop always plugged in to a surge protector?? What about appliances like your stove, washer and dryer?? A gnarly surge can also take these out!? Most of those are 240V, and you don?t often see a surge protector on those outlets!? Those things aren?t cheap!? It?s estimated most households have around $10,000 of unprotected electronics with no surge protector. That?s a whole lot of money on the line!?? {pun intended} With a growing reliance on electronics and inevitable move towards smart homes, it?s just not feasible to get a power strip for every single outlet in your whole home. But, you can?protect?every electronic device in your home?with a small investment in a whole house surge protector and a little elbow grease. I strongly recommend and suggest one install a whole house surge protector in or at the main breaker panel.? Also careful bonding of all ham station equipment is a must.?? And ALL outside grounds must be bonded together and to the AC Mains ground. 73 Bob, K4TAX > Message: 21 > Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:30:18 -0700 > From: Jim Brown > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge?) > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > On 7/10/2021 3:55 AM, Jim Cary wrote: >> I posted a note yesterday that I took a power surge > That's probably because some part of your station was getting power from > a circuit that had an MOV "surge protector" in it, and your station was > not properly bonded. Study N0AX's ARRL book on the topic, to which I > contributed, and/or this slide deck for talks I've done on it. > > http://k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf > > MOV "surge protectors" are a common CAUSE of destructive failures. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > You must be a subscriber to post. > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 11 > ***************************************** > From dick.bingham at gmail.com Sat Jul 10 16:09:28 2021 From: dick.bingham at gmail.com (Dick Bingham) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 13:09:28 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] (no subject) Message-ID: <46116327-5A50-4E0F-B32F-35E8BC9D5A6F@gmail.com> Greetings All Thank you to everyone who has responded to my initial question regarding the subject listed above. I now have LOTS of tracks to follow to achieve my goal of remote-ing my station at the Summer QTH for winter operation from the snowbird QTH. I have the KPA/KTA-500's controlled by my laptop along with the ANAN-7000dle and now have to figure out how to connect two DELL E6510 laptops together over the Internet. Latency over the present EXCEDE satellite system runs between 200-to-400 mS and I hope the reported 20mS thru Musk's Starlink satellite system proves to be fact not marketing hype. Again, thanks to everyone who has provided suggestions and pointers. 73 Dick/W7wkr CN98pi From n8lp at telepostinc.com Sat Jul 10 16:37:50 2021 From: n8lp at telepostinc.com (Larry Phipps) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 16:37:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Funny you should say that, Andy ;-) Before LP-100 was a wattmeter, the basic circuit was used by me to tune the DE and reflector of a mini-beam project that I was working on at the time. Regards, Larry N8LP > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2021 23:34:52 +0000 > From: Andy Durbin > To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" > Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > The next generation KAT500 should measure the complex load impedance, including the sign of X, compute the L and C required to match, and plug in those values as the initial tuning solution. Why wouldn't this approach be better than flailing around in the dark like most auto tuners seem to do? > > I doubt this will ever happen but the idea of combining the KAT500, LP-100A, and an Arduino controller to implement this "smart" tuner keeps banging around in my head. Maybe one day I'll give it a try. > > 73, > Andy, k3wyc > > From len at ka7ftp.com Sat Jul 10 16:44:45 2021 From: len at ka7ftp.com (len at ka7ftp.com) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 14:44:45 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Broken MH3 In-Reply-To: <5d429911-9a74-4aba-a9c2-07bdd129182f@me.com> References: <5d429911-9a74-4aba-a9c2-07bdd129182f@me.com> Message-ID: <002301d775cc$6a8de020$3fa9a060$@ka7ftp.com> Is this a common problem with the MH3? A while back I noticed that mine had also broken as well. The posts broke off the front shell. Are just the replacement shells available? len -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Thompson via Elecraft Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2021 7:05 AM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Broken MH3 Morning all, So I retrieved the MH3 for my KX3 from the case and discovered the posts for the case screws are sheared. So I squeezed the shell together and attempted the contact again. But 35w phone was not getting it done. So I finished the event short a couple of stations. But I sure enjoyed working the event. From w4jz at bellsouth.net Sat Jul 10 17:16:52 2021 From: w4jz at bellsouth.net (Reed Fite) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 21:16:52 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Broken MH3 References: <90230731.3259013.1625951812353.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <90230731.3259013.1625951812353@mail.yahoo.com> I bought a KX3 in April 2012 & never had a problem with the?MH3.?I bought a new KX2 last fall & when I went to remove the MH3 out of the soft case back in the spring it fell?apart.?All 3 posts were broken. Mic has never been dropped or handled rough. I took a picture & sent it to Elecraft & they replaced it with a new?one.?When I received the new one I backed the 3 screws then tighten them so they were just touching the?case.?Don't know if they were tightened too tight or weak plastic?posts. Reed Fite? W4JZ From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Sat Jul 10 18:10:51 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 15:10:51 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2812f86d-ba2f-e1f5-98d4-d4de834ffc39@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/10/2021 12:59 PM, Bob McGraw wrote: > Sure, power strips are inexpensive.? But they really only protect > against one type of power surge. ? If the voltage spikes, the breaker > should trip. However, this isn?t always instantaneous.? Delicate devices > can still be damaged, and many other types of surges will just pass > right through without tripping the? surge protector.? Not the best > solution. Despite being called a surge protector, this name doesn?t give > you the whole story.? These don?t even come close to the protection > whole house surge protectors offer you. The problem with MOV protectors is FAR greater than what is outlined above. MOV "protectors" dump any spikes onto the equipment ground (green wire), and the resulting IR drop raises the potential of the equipment it is intended to protect. When that equipment is connected to other equipment plugged into a different outlet, the DIFFERENCE in potential between their their chassis can cause stuff to fry. The same thing can happen when one or more pieces of the interconnected equipment has a ground connection, but is not bonded to the other gear. Properly bonding all equipment within a station minimizes the potential differences between the gear, AND if an MOV protector is used, must be bonded as well. N0AX and I finished working through this while finishing the latest revision of his ARRL book on Grounding and Bonding, and it's in both versions. I don't know if the new one is out yet. At least 20 years ago, professional sound companies and designers of large sound systems learned all this the hard way. Luckily, a new type of protector had been invented -- a SERIES MODE protector that does not dump the surge on the Green Wire, but instead stores it in the magnetic field of a big inductor, then discharges it slowly after the surge event. These protectors are much more expensive, but cost a lot less than the gear they protect! When I was a consultant designing large systems, I specified them for every project. And I have used them in my home (for computers and home entertainment system), office (when I was still working), and in the shack. SurgeX is the company that developed products for pro audio. I use the SA-20 (20A version of the SA15). https://www.fullcompass.com/brand/sgx-surgex/ Years ago, I did some technical writing for them, producing this tutorial "White Paper." I was specifying them for the systems I designed LONG before writing it. 73, Jim K9YC From nelasat at yahoo.com Sat Jul 10 18:32:06 2021 From: nelasat at yahoo.com (Keith Ennis) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 22:32:06 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] KV5J's line of Digital Displays for Elecraft's W2, KXPA100, KPA500, KAT500 and KPA1500 References: <866698688.2673129.1625956326273.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <866698688.2673129.1625956326273@mail.yahoo.com> KV5J's line of Digital Displays for Elecraft's W2, KXPA100, KPA500, KAT500 and KPA1500 - Digital Display Unit for Elecraft's W2 Watt Meter: - With digital read out the Display Unit takes the guess work out of the LED light bar. - - Digital Display Unit for Elecraft's KXPA100 amplifier: - Don't wait for a fault light to come on.? Keep an eye on 5 crucial readings at all times. 1. Power amplifier's heat sink temperature 2. Power amplifier's high voltage supply voltage 3. Power amplifier's current 4. Power amplifier's output power 5. SWR that the KXPA100 sees at its output - - Digital Display Unit for Elecraft's KPA500 amplifier: - Instead of seeing only 1 crucial reading, monitor all 7 at the same time. 1. Power amplifier's heat sink temperature 2. Power amplifier's high voltage supply voltage 3. Power amplifier's current 4. Power amplifier's output power 5. SWR that the KPA500 sees at its output 6. Displays Operate/Standby mode 7. Displays Band amp is tuned to - NOW INCLUDES PROTECTION FROM TRANSMITTING EXCESSIVE POWER WITH THE AMP IN OPERATE MODE AND NOT KEYING THE AMP THIS MAY DAMAGE YOUR KPA500 AMP! Digital Display Unit for KAT500: - This unit displays the front panel settings. If the tuner is in bypass or not. Displays the capacitance and inductance used. What type of circuit is used. LC or CL. SWR of both before and after a tune cycle is completed. - - Digital Display Unit for Elecraft's KPA1500 amplifier: Displays the same display that is on the KPA1500 Amplifier? Change the display on the KPA1500 and the display changes to show this same screen - - All of the Digital Display Units: - Display Unit can be located at a more visible location Up to the RS232 limit from unit - Easy to read 2 line display No USB or serial cable to computer No com port in Windows to manage No computer needed Plug and Play Simply connect the SUPPLIED dc power cable (with inline on/off switch) from the DDU to power supply and SUPPLIED? SERIAL data jumper cable to the device Retains all functions of the front panel All displayed info obtained directly from the device - Only 4" x 4" x 2" - - For more information and ordering go to:? ?http://www.kv5j.com/store - Reviews: https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14701 - https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14820 - - - - Keith, KV5J http://www.kv5j.com - From kevinr at coho.net Sat Jul 10 23:56:29 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2021 20:56:29 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement Message-ID: <57516883-8388-8f00-ccb7-0767f224bfb0@coho.net> Good Evening, ?? A cool, moist week, every morning foggy with sun by 10 AM.? It dropped into the 40s last night.? Feels chilly after 110 degrees. The bugs are growing well.? They find me tasty.? Wild strawberries are starting to fade with a bumper crop of salmon berries.? Black berries are just starting to ripen while the thimble berries are showing their last blossoms.? Huckleberries are coming on too.? In a week there will be quite a lot of sun warmed fruit available to eat. ?? The sun has calmed down a little.? Only a few active sunspot groups with the solar flux back to 74.? Some solar wind is due July 11-12.? There may be some noise from it during net times. ?? After much listening and a little help from W8OV and W5FTD I am fairly certain I have a new bird for my life list.? I posted a link to the sound files so you can test? your hearing.? The bird books have quite a range of similar sounding birds.? You can compare and contrast them.? Regional variations make my choice less the 100% certain.? I could not find an example of one from Oregon.? His call varies so much from cycle to cycle it is hard to compare his song measure for measure with my examples.? Any flash of a field marking would be appreciated. ? I have also added two links to various types of information encoding. Please join us on (or near): 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) ? 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) ?? 73, ????? Kevin. KD5ONS - https://www.quantamagazine.org/social-mitochondria-whispering-between-cells-influence-health-20210706/ http://bacona.design/bird.html https://www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-kind-of-information-coding-seen-in-the-human-brain-20210707/ https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr260.pdf From frantz at pwpconsult.com Sun Jul 11 00:39:19 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 00:39:19 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 issue (power surge?) In-Reply-To: <4A8821F7-87D1-4B1D-A9B5-B1EC4E791A03@gmail.com> Message-ID: There was a post to this maillist over a year ago which said that the most frequent casualty of lightning strikes in the K3S was the USB chip and associated circuitry. The recommended "fix" was to unplug the USB cable from the back of the radio when it was not in use. Applying this fix to a remote station is an interesting exersize. I think a 4 poll relay that grounds the connections to the radio while letting the bus float might be the best solution. It could be activated by the 12V output from the radio. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/10/21 at 6:55 AM, jimlcary at gmail.com (Jim Cary) wrote: >I posted a note yesterday that I took a power surge which >knocked out my PC and couldn?t connect to my K3S. Thanks to >all the input for you guys, it would appear that the IO board >on the K3S got fried. Still to be confirmed, but strongly >suspect true. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz |"Web security is like medicine - trying to do good for 408-348-7900 |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller www.pwpconsult.com | From elanzl at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 11 09:53:38 2021 From: elanzl at sbcglobal.net (Eric Lanzl) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:53:38 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Net 6-27-2021 References: <565875209.1459325.1626011618020.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <565875209.1459325.1626011618020@mail.yahoo.com> Here is the list of stations checking in to the SSB Net for Sunday,? June 27, 2021. Thank you to the relay stations and to all who are patient with the bad conditions. Here are the SSB Nets on Sundays: 20M Net 14.303.5 at 1800Z? alternate frequency 14.31040 M Net? 7280??? at? 1900ZZoom get together 2000Z contact K8NU for the link. See qrz for his email80M? Net? 3775 or there about depending upon use of the frequency at 0100ZAll stations are welcome and one does not have to have an Elecraft radio to participate. Eric WB9JNZ Call????????? Name??? State????? Radio??? Serial # QRP???????????????????????????? Notes WB9JNZ????? Eric?????????? IL????????????? K3???????????? 4017???????? ???????????????????????????????????? NetControl K8NU????????? Carl?????????? OH??????????? YaesuFT?? 101DX????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? NC0JW??????? ????????????????? CO??????????? KX3????????? 1356???????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation WM6P????????? Steve???????? GA??????????? K3S?????????? 11453?????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation AE6JV???????? Bill??????????? NH??????????? K3???????????? 6299???????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation K7BRR/P???? Bill??????????? UT??????????? YaesuFT?? DX 10?????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KB9AVO???? Paul?????????? IN???????????? K4???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N4NRW?????? Roger??????? SC???????????? K3???????????? 1318???????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation KO5V????????? Jim??????????? NM?????????? K2/100????? 7225???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? W3SA????????? John????????? NC??????????? Kenwood?? TS 890????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KJ6DKF?????? Seven??????? AZ??????????? KX3????????? 11390?????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K6VWE?????? Stan?????????? MI???????????? K3???????????? 650?????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? AL5P??????????? David ?????? TX??????????? Icom????????? 7300???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N2TNQ??????? Len??????????? NJ???????????? K3???????????? 5270???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? W1NGA?????? Al????????????? CO??????????? KX2????????? 2002???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? WX7F????????? Steve???????? MT??????????? Icom????????? 7300???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? AD4VE??????? Dave???????? CA??????????? YaesuFT?? DX 101???? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KA5HRF????? Butch??????? TX??????????? Elecraft???? KX3????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? From elanzl at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 11 10:24:25 2021 From: elanzl at sbcglobal.net (Eric Lanzl) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:24:25 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] 7-4-2021 References: <262450812.1893901.1626013465544.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <262450812.1893901.1626013465544@mail.yahoo.com> Here is the list of stations checking in to the SSB Net for Sunday,? July 4, 2021. Thank you to the relay stations and to all who are patient with the bad conditions. Here are the SSB Nets on Sundays: 20M Net 14.303.5 at 1800Z? alternate frequency 14.31040 M Net? 7280??? at? 1900ZZoom get together 2000Z contact K8NU for the link. See qrz for his email80M? Net? 3775 or there about depending upon use of the frequency at 0100ZAll stations are welcome and one does not have to have an Elecraft radio to participate. Eric WB9JNZ Call????????? Name??? State????? Radio??? Serial # QRP??????????????? Notes WB9JNZ????? Eric?????????? IL????????????? K3???????????? 4017???????? ???????????????????????????????????? NetControl W1NGA?????? Al????????????? CO??????????? Flex?????????? 6400M????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? AE6JV????????? Bill??????????? NH??????????? K3???????????? 6299???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N6JW?????????? John????????? CA??????????? K3???????????? 936?????????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation KJ6DKF?????? Seven??????? AZ???????????? KX3????????? 11390?????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KB9AVO???? Paul?????????? IN????????????? K4???????????? 76???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? WM6P????????? Steve???????? GA??????????? K3S?????????? 11453?????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation NS7P??????????? Phil?????????? OR??????????? K3???????????? 1826???????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation KO5V?????????? Jim??????????? NM??????????? K2/100????? 7225???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? AB7CE???????? Roy?????????? MT??????????? K2/100????? 40???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KL7UW??????? Ed???????????? AK??????????? K3/ KX3? 4340 / 475????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N4NRW?????? Roger??????? SC???????????? K3???????????? 1318???????? ???????????????????????????????????? RelayStation W4DML?????? Doug???????? TN???????????? K3???????????? 6433???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KC9USC????? Robert?????? IL????????????? KX3????????? 4460???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K7BRR/OR? Bill??????????? OR??????????? K3???????????? 2693???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? WA0BEU???? Keith???????? CO??????????? KX3????????? 7408???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K8NU?????????? Carl?????????? OH??????????? YaesuFT? 101DX????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KC0WHU???? Brian???????? CO??????????? Yaesu??????? FT 450????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N7YW????????? Ken?????????? AZ???????????? K3???????????? 8183???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K6VWE??????? Stan?????????? MI???????????? K3???????????? 650?????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? W9EJB???????? Ed???????????? IN????????????? K3???????????? 1593???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K5PD?????????? Pete?????????? TX???????????? K3???????????? 545?????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K0JFJ?????????? Nick????????? MN??????????? K2???????????? 7937???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N2TNQ??????? Len??????????? NJ??????????? ? K3???????????? 5270???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? From kd4iz at frawg.org Sun Jul 11 12:37:59 2021 From: kd4iz at frawg.org (kd4iz at frawg.org) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 12:37:59 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> All, This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a schematic to follow and troubleshoot. Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch from ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. Tests: Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and will match normally with rig's internal ATU. With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, BYP) no difference With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. Checks: Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no change in above behavior. If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, however - no schematic, don't really know. Did I miss something Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? Thanks, Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Science River LLC Biomedical Consulting Services From alorona at sbcglobal.net Sun Jul 11 14:58:59 2021 From: alorona at sbcglobal.net (Al Lorona) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 18:58:59 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? Thanks, Al? W6LX/4 From kd4iz at frawg.org Sun Jul 11 16:48:28 2021 From: kd4iz at frawg.org (kd4iz at frawg.org) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:48:28 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> Message-ID: <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Many thanks to Ken (K6MR), Joe (4X1RV), and Kirk (K6KAR) for your quick answers and for providing the schematic information. I pulled the unit and did some poke and prod testing with a DVM here on the anti-static mat. My fear was that K18 had a bad contact in the ANT1 position. -Not!- What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good connector, when perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle recentering of the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a self-administered head smack. Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Science River LLC Biomedical Consulting Services -----Original Message----- From: kirk.harding at k6kar.com Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 14:07 To: kd4iz at frawg.org Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Jack, The KAT500 schematic is on line (partial) https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page1.png https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page2.png https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page5.png Although all schematics aren't available, this may be enough to get you going. 73, Kirk, K6KAR -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of kd4iz at frawg.org Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:38 PM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Cc: 'Elecraft Support' Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem All, This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a schematic to follow and troubleshoot. Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch from ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. Tests: Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and will match normally with rig's internal ATU. With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, BYP) no difference With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. Checks: Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no change in above behavior. If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, however - no schematic, don't really know. Did I miss something Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? Thanks, Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Science River LLC Biomedical Consulting Services ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kirk.harding at k6kar.com From dave at nk7z.net Sun Jul 11 16:51:10 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:51:10 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <38709ca3-3174-3422-d971-943fa0da3e1d@nk7z.net> I take it to mean, the tuner will "probably" match any halfway well designed antenna... 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/11/21 11:58 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. > > If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. > > But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. > > When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? > > I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? > > Thanks, > > Al? W6LX/4 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > From n1al at sonic.net Sun Jul 11 16:51:41 2021 From: n1al at sonic.net (Alan Bloom) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:51:41 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I can't speak directly about Elecraft tuners, but I did design an antenna tuner when I was at Drake many years ago. We specified the Drake MN-2700 at 5:1 SWR.? I made sure it would match that SWR at all phase angles on all specified bands. Typically the low-impedance end tends to be the hardest to match, at least on the low bands.? So 50/5 = 10 ohms resistive is harder to match than 50*5 = 250 ohms resistive even though the SWR is 5:1 in both cases.? That's because the low impedances need larger tuning capacitors.? The Drake tuner would typically match well above 5:1 into a high impedance but only barely meet spec into a low impedance.? I suspect the Elecraft tuners are similar. Alan N1AL On 7/11/2021 12:58 PM, Al Lorona wrote: > This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. > > If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. > > But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. > > When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? > > I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? > > Thanks, > > Al? W6LX/4 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to alan at elecraft.com > From dave at nk7z.net Sun Jul 11 16:52:47 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 13:52:47 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Message-ID: If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner... That way, you know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/11/21 1:48 PM, kd4iz at frawg.org wrote: > Many thanks to Ken (K6MR), Joe (4X1RV), and Kirk (K6KAR) for your quick > answers and for providing the schematic information. > I pulled the unit and did some poke and prod testing with a DVM here on the > anti-static mat. My fear was that K18 had a bad contact in the ANT1 > position. -Not!- > What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made > "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. > The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had > spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good connector, when > perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle recentering of > the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a > self-administered head smack. > Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ > Science River LLC > Biomedical Consulting Services > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: kirk.harding at k6kar.com > Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 14:07 > To: kd4iz at frawg.org > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem > > Jack, > > The KAT500 schematic is on line (partial) > https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page1.png > https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page2.png > https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page5.png > Although all schematics aren't available, this may be enough to get you > going. > > 73, > > Kirk, K6KAR > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On > Behalf Of kd4iz at frawg.org > Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:38 PM > To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Cc: 'Elecraft Support' > Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem > > All, > > > > This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a > schematic to follow and troubleshoot. > > Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch from > ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. > > Tests: > > Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and will > match normally with rig's internal ATU. > > With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, BYP) no > difference > > With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. > > Checks: > > Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no change in > above behavior. > > > > If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, > however - no schematic, don't really know. > > Did I miss something > > > > > > Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? > > > > Thanks, > > Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ > > Science River LLC > > Biomedical Consulting Services > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message > delivered to kirk.harding at k6kar.com > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > From don at w3fpr.com Sun Jul 11 17:06:44 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 17:06:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Message-ID: And discard those "Amazon Special" PL-259s. Use only quality connectors.? It is not worth it to use off-spec connectors - you are witness to the pain and heartache they can cause. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/11/2021 4:52 PM, Dave wrote: > If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner...? That way, you > know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. > > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > > On 7/11/21 1:48 PM, kd4iz at frawg.org wrote: >> Many thanks to Ken (K6MR), Joe (4X1RV), and Kirk (K6KAR) for your quick >> answers and for providing the schematic information. >> I pulled the unit and did some poke and prod testing with a DVM here >> on the >> anti-static mat. My fear was that K18 had a bad contact in the ANT1 >> position. -Not!- >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize >> center pin. >> The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had >> spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good >> connector, when >> perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle >> recentering of >> the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a >> self-administered head smack. >> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >> Science River LLC >> Biomedical Consulting Services >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: kirk.harding at k6kar.com >> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 14:07 >> To: kd4iz at frawg.org >> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >> >> Jack, >> >> The KAT500 schematic is on line (partial) >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page1.png >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page2.png >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page5.png >> ? Although all schematics aren't available, this may be enough to get >> you >> going. >> >> 73, >> >> Kirk, K6KAR >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net >> On >> Behalf Of kd4iz at frawg.org >> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:38 PM >> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> Cc: 'Elecraft Support' >> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >> >> All, >> >> >> This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a >> schematic to follow and troubleshoot. >> >> Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch >> from >> ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. >> >> Tests: >> >> Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and will >> match normally with rig's internal ATU. >> >> With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, >> BYP) no >> difference >> >> With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. >> >> Checks: >> >> Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no >> change in >> above behavior. >> >> >> If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, >> however - no schematic, don't really know. >> >> Did I miss something >> >> >> >> Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >> >> Science River LLC >> >> Biomedical Consulting Services >> >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message >> delivered to kirk.harding at k6kar.com >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com From kd4iz at frawg.org Sun Jul 11 17:16:27 2021 From: kd4iz at frawg.org (kd4iz at frawg.org) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 17:16:27 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Message-ID: <092001d7769a$03cac320$0b604960$@frawg.org> Don, Already gone and replaced... Jack - KD4IZ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 17:07 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem And discard those "Amazon Special" PL-259s. Use only quality connectors. It is not worth it to use off-spec connectors - you are witness to the pain and heartache they can cause. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/11/2021 4:52 PM, Dave wrote: > If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner... That way, you > know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. > > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > > On 7/11/21 1:48 PM, kd4iz at frawg.org wrote: >> Many thanks to Ken (K6MR), Joe (4X1RV), and Kirk (K6KAR) for your >> quick answers and for providing the schematic information. >> I pulled the unit and did some poke and prod testing with a DVM here >> on the anti-static mat. My fear was that K18 had a bad contact in the >> ANT1 position. -Not!- What had apparently happened was that I had a >> batch of the offshore made "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to >> have a slightly oversize center pin. >> The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It >> had spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good >> connector, when perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! >> Gentle recentering of the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw >> drive yielded relief and a self-administered head smack. >> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >> Science River LLC >> Biomedical Consulting Services >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: kirk.harding at k6kar.com >> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 14:07 >> To: kd4iz at frawg.org >> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >> >> Jack, >> >> The KAT500 schematic is on line (partial) >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page1.png >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page2.png >> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page5.png >> Although all schematics aren't available, this may be enough to get >> you going. >> >> 73, >> >> Kirk, K6KAR >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net >> On Behalf Of kd4iz at frawg.org >> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:38 PM >> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> Cc: 'Elecraft Support' >> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >> >> All, >> >> >> This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a >> schematic to follow and troubleshoot. >> >> Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch >> from >> ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. >> >> Tests: >> >> Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and >> will match normally with rig's internal ATU. >> >> With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, >> BYP) no >> difference >> >> With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. >> >> Checks: >> >> Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no >> change in above behavior. >> >> >> If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, >> however - no schematic, don't really know. >> >> Did I miss something >> >> >> >> Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >> >> Science River LLC >> >> Biomedical Consulting Services >> >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message >> delivered to kirk.harding at k6kar.com >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kd4iz at frawg.org From jackbrindle at me.com Sun Jul 11 17:17:43 2021 From: jackbrindle at me.com (Jack Brindle) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:17:43 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <7CC60665-E824-4132-BC62-014D695D7C79@me.com> There is another big consideration in modern ATUs which use toroid cores for the inductors. The cores will heat up during transmission, especially for bad mismatches. Remember, the ATU still has to deal with the high reflected power as it provides a good match for the radio. If the heating reaches a critical level, the toroid will break, and the ATU will no longer be able to do its job. ATUs are thus rated for the amount of reflected power (thus SWR) they can handle with some margin for failure. An ATU like the KAT will handle higher mismatches at low power, but when you start trying to push lots of power through it, the heating margins drop, meaning that you should really watch the match when trying to run a kilowatt through an ATU in order to avoid damaging it. At 50 watts the KAT should handle a pretty bad mismatch, while at 500 a lower maximum mismatch should be observed. Also note that at higher power the connectors, adapters and coax cable will also see lots of heating with big mismatches. These can fail also; in fact we see that a lot. That?s why you see lots of admonitions to only use high quality connectors and adapters. Right angle adapters are especially bad as the conductor tends to migrate and short out at high power. Be sure that you use coax that is rated for the power levels as well. 73, Jack, W6FB > On Jul 11, 2021, at 3:51 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: > > I can't speak directly about Elecraft tuners, but I did design an antenna tuner when I was at Drake many years ago. > > We specified the Drake MN-2700 at 5:1 SWR. I made sure it would match that SWR at all phase angles on all specified bands. > > Typically the low-impedance end tends to be the hardest to match, at least on the low bands. So 50/5 = 10 ohms resistive is harder to match than 50*5 = 250 ohms resistive even though the SWR is 5:1 in both cases. That's because the low impedances need larger tuning capacitors. The Drake tuner would typically match well above 5:1 into a high impedance but only barely meet spec into a low impedance. I suspect the Elecraft tuners are similar. > > Alan N1AL > > > On 7/11/2021 12:58 PM, Al Lorona wrote: >> This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. >> >> If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. >> >> But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. >> >> When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? >> >> I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Al W6LX/4 >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to alan at elecraft.com >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jackbrindle at me.com From dave at nk7z.net Sun Jul 11 17:45:15 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 14:45:15 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Message-ID: <9f9b5780-f9a2-a914-490c-f72596cc1852@nk7z.net> I have had very good luck using American Radio Supply: https://www.americanradiosupply.com/ and DXE connectors... 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/11/21 2:06 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > And discard those "Amazon Special" PL-259s. Use only quality > connectors.? It is not worth it to use off-spec connectors - you are > witness to the pain and heartache they can cause. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/11/2021 4:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner...? That way, you >> know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. >> >> 73, and thanks, >> Dave (NK7Z) >> https://www.nk7z.net >> ARRL Volunteer Examiner >> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI >> ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources >> >> On 7/11/21 1:48 PM, kd4iz at frawg.org wrote: >>> Many thanks to Ken (K6MR), Joe (4X1RV), and Kirk (K6KAR) for your quick >>> answers and for providing the schematic information. >>> I pulled the unit and did some poke and prod testing with a DVM here >>> on the >>> anti-static mat. My fear was that K18 had a bad contact in the ANT1 >>> position. -Not!- >>> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >>> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize >>> center pin. >>> The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had >>> spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good >>> connector, when >>> perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle >>> recentering of >>> the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a >>> self-administered head smack. >>> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >>> Science River LLC >>> Biomedical Consulting Services >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: kirk.harding at k6kar.com >>> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 14:07 >>> To: kd4iz at frawg.org >>> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >>> >>> Jack, >>> >>> The KAT500 schematic is on line (partial) >>> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page1.png >>> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page2.png >>> https://www.qsl.net/wb4kdi/Elecraft/KAT500/KAT500_RevA_page5.png >>> ? Although all schematics aren't available, this may be enough to get >>> you >>> going. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> Kirk, K6KAR >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net >>> On >>> Behalf Of kd4iz at frawg.org >>> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 12:38 PM >>> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> Cc: 'Elecraft Support' >>> Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >>> >>> All, >>> >>> >>> This is likely something very straight forward, but I do not have a >>> schematic to follow and troubleshoot. >>> >>> Symptom: ANT 1 circuit seems to be dead. No match and fault on switch >>> from >>> ANT2 to ANT1. No receive signal. >>> >>> Tests: >>> >>> Took KAT500 out of line to by-pass tuner, antenna on ANT1 is OK and will >>> match normally with rig's internal ATU. >>> >>> With KAT500 back in line, selected each tuning position (AUTO, MAN, >>> BYP) no >>> difference >>> >>> With KAT500 still in line, ANT2 and ANT3 work nominally. >>> >>> Checks: >>> >>> Reset to factory defaults, restored last working Configuration, no >>> change in >>> above behavior. >>> >>> >>> If I was a betting guy, I'd guess a relay or switching diode was open, >>> however - no schematic, don't really know. >>> >>> Did I miss something >>> >>> >>> >>> Does this little beastie need to go back to the mothership? >>> >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ >>> >>> Science River LLC >>> >>> Biomedical Consulting Services >>> >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message >>> delivered to kirk.harding at k6kar.com >>> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net From maccluer13 at gmail.com Sun Jul 11 18:00:34 2021 From: maccluer13 at gmail.com (Chuck MacCluer) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 22:00:34 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 Message-ID: Actually there is a much simpler L-network search algorithm --- see my QEX article, "How to tune a L-network matchbox," Nov/Dec 2016. No iterations are required. You need only to sample reflected as well as forward minus reflected RF voltages on the line. Alas, QEX failed to print page 2 of the article so chaos reigned. Moreover, my approach only works without modification for high impedance loads. In general, knowing the forward and reflected RF voltages is enough to match without iteration. I will be delighted to email the complete article and erratum upon request. Chuck MacCluer w8mqw w8mqw at arrl.net From julia at juliatuttle.net Sun Jul 11 18:04:45 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 18:04:45 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] The next generation KAT500 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Chuck, I would appreciate a copy of your article if your offer still stands. 73, Julie On Sun, Jul 11, 2021 at 6:02 PM Chuck MacCluer wrote: > Actually there is a much simpler L-network search algorithm --- see my QEX > article, > > "How to tune a L-network matchbox," Nov/Dec 2016. > > No iterations are required. You need only to sample reflected as well as > forward minus reflected RF voltages on the line. > > Alas, QEX failed to print page 2 of the article so chaos reigned. Moreover, > my approach only works without modification for high impedance loads. In > general, knowing the forward and reflected RF voltages is enough to match > without iteration. > > I will be delighted to email the complete article and erratum upon request. > > Chuck MacCluer w8mqw > w8mqw at arrl.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From a.durbin at msn.com Sun Jul 11 19:12:27 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 23:12:27 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: KAT500 antenna selection drops to ANT-1 when there is no power on KAT500. Also, with no power on KAT500, the Bypass relay defaults to bypass state. There should be a simple DC path between input RF connector and ANT-1 RF connector if the KAT500 is not powered. Pull the DC input plug and the coax connectors and measure DC resistance between XMTR and ANT-1. No fancy PIN diode switching in KAT500, it's all relays. 73, Andy, k3wyc From ab7echo at gmail.com Sun Jul 11 20:04:35 2021 From: ab7echo at gmail.com (David Gilbert) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 17:04:35 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> Hi, Al. Yes, some mismatches are much more problematic than others, even for the same SWR. One way to see this is to use TLW, the transmission line calculator that comes free with the ARRL Antenna Book.? Choose whatever load impedance you want in any combination of real and reactive values. Click the "Tuner" button to see various options for the tuner configuration and then set the Q for the capacitor(s) and coil to whatever you think is reasonable? The most common configurations would either be high pass L-Network or high pass T-network. Not only will you see a diagram of the tuner with the required values to give a match, but you can see the voltage, current, and power loss (heating) for each component.? Try different load impedance combinations to see the different power losses.? The difference can be striking. In general, low impedances will cause more tuner loss than higher impedances, and capacitive load reactance tends to be more problematic than inductive reactance.? That, of course, is mostly because real life inductors tend to have lower Q than capacitors, and that is certainly the case for auto tuners with ferrite core inductors. As an aside, TLW is an amazing tool and most people don't give it the credit it is due. 73, Dave?? AB7E On 7/11/2021 11:58 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. > > If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. > > But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. > > When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? > > I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? > > Thanks, > > Al? W6LX/4 From FlatHat at comcast.net Sun Jul 11 20:11:08 2021 From: FlatHat at comcast.net (Richard) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 20:11:08 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency Tracking Revisited Message-ID: <6B6198F0-7B44-4CFC-BAB4-911CDCFAC39D@comcast.net> K3s/KAT500 As I now understand Frequency Tracking, it works like this: 1. Once the KAT500 is "trained," the frequency segments attributed to each band are places where the KAT500 will look for good SWR matches. In other words, if I happen to have the VFO set on a frequency that is in Segment 5 (my label, just for clarity), the tuner will for for good matches in Segment 5 ? correct? 2. If no good matches are found in Segment 5, the KAT500 will do a Full Tune to create one ? correct? 3. It seems to me that "Training the Tuner" is truly a convenience exercise: populating segments in the band so the tuner will find a good match and not have to do a Full Tune ? correct? 4. Rather than setting just low, middle, and high tuning solutions on 20 meter SSB, for example, I set a solution in each of the 11 segments, thinking that no matter where I tune in 20 meter SSB, the KAT500 will find a good solution. ? correct? Have I got this right . . . finally? Cheers, Richard Kunc W4KBX From jackbrindle at me.com Sun Jul 11 20:37:41 2021 From: jackbrindle at me.com (Jack Brindle) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 19:37:41 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0B84E8C1-F2D0-4A51-A469-DD03F1286FAC@me.com> Andy, my friend, you are forgetting something. The secondary toroid of the directional coupler has a direct path to ground. That means there is no straight-through DC path. Rare that I catch Andy on something? 73, Jack, W6FB > On Jul 11, 2021, at 6:12 PM, Andy Durbin wrote: > > KAT500 antenna selection drops to ANT-1 when there is no power on KAT500. Also, with no power on KAT500, the Bypass relay defaults to bypass state. There should be a simple DC path between input RF connector and ANT-1 RF connector if the KAT500 is not powered. > > Pull the DC input plug and the coax connectors and measure DC resistance between XMTR and ANT-1. No fancy PIN diode switching in KAT500, it's all relays. > > 73, > Andy, k3wyc > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jackbrindle at me.com From jackbrindle at me.com Sun Jul 11 21:00:40 2021 From: jackbrindle at me.com (Jack Brindle) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 20:00:40 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency Tracking Revisited In-Reply-To: <6B6198F0-7B44-4CFC-BAB4-911CDCFAC39D@comcast.net> References: <6B6198F0-7B44-4CFC-BAB4-911CDCFAC39D@comcast.net> Message-ID: Richard; There is good reason to train the KAT500, especially if you use SSB. First, you need to always tune the KAT500 with CW. The K3?s TUNE function takes care of this quite well. Simply tune to a frequency, tap the KAT?s TUNE button, then hit the K3?s TUNE button. When the KAT finishes, drop the transceiver out of tune. This will tune the KAT500 for your antenna on that band segment. You may want to tune again elsewhere within the segment - there might be a better match that satisfies more of the segment than the first one you do. Second, use the KAT500 in MAN (not AUTO) mode. This is especially true with the use of SSB. Because of the characteristics of SSB transmission, the KAT may decide it needs to do a tune when it really does not. This is avoided in MAN mode where you get to decide when you want to do a tune. One other thing to remember - an antenna changes over time for many reasons - it may behave differently when the feedline becomes wet (especially noted when using ladder-line), or in the rain, or when near-by foliage grows near the antenna. I regularly have to retune my antennas between summer and winter (fewer leaves in winter make a big difference). And yes, I do train my KAT500s (I have two) so that I do not have to stop and tune them in the midst of a contest. I make sure everything is set up and tuned before the contest starts, but I find I may have to retune one of my antennas (fed with ladder line) if it starts raining (or stops) during a contest event. Enjoy your KAT500. It is a great product if I?m allowed to say so? 73, Jack, W6FB > On Jul 11, 2021, at 7:11 PM, Richard wrote: > > K3s/KAT500 > > As I now understand Frequency Tracking, it works like this: > > 1. Once the KAT500 is "trained," the frequency segments attributed to each band are places where the KAT500 will look for good SWR matches. In other words, if I happen to have the VFO set on a frequency that is in Segment 5 (my label, just for clarity), the tuner will for for good matches in Segment 5 ? correct? > > 2. If no good matches are found in Segment 5, the KAT500 will do a Full Tune to create one ? correct? > > 3. It seems to me that "Training the Tuner" is truly a convenience exercise: populating segments in the band so the tuner will find a good match and not have to do a Full Tune ? correct? > > 4. Rather than setting just low, middle, and high tuning solutions on 20 meter SSB, for example, I set a solution in each of the 11 segments, thinking that no matter where I tune in 20 meter SSB, the KAT500 will find a good solution. ? correct? > > Have I got this right . . . finally? > > Cheers, > > Richard Kunc > W4KBX > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jackbrindle at me.com From a.durbin at msn.com Sun Jul 11 22:59:17 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 02:59:17 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <0B84E8C1-F2D0-4A51-A469-DD03F1286FAC@me.com> References: , <0B84E8C1-F2D0-4A51-A469-DD03F1286FAC@me.com> Message-ID: "The secondary toroid of the directional coupler has a direct path to ground. That means there is no straight-through DC path." I may have misunderstood the schematics. What I see is a DC path between J1 input and "ATU". If K20, K21 and K18 are all in the NC state there will be a low impedance DC path between "ATU" and ANT-1. If any of these relays is faulty and not closed the DC path will be open. Sure, there is a DC path between J1 and ground through the coupler but I don't see how that changes the path to ANT-1. If ANT-1 is open circuit to XMTR isn't it likely that K18, K21, or K20 is faulty? I realize this is now just a mental challenge as the OP's problem has already been solved. 73, Andy, k3wyc From a.durbin at msn.com Sun Jul 11 23:16:24 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 03:16:24 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency Tracking Revisited Message-ID: "As I now understand Frequency Tracking, it works like this: 1. Once the KAT500 is "trained," the frequency segments attributed to each band are places where the KAT500 will look for good SWR matches. In other words, if I happen to have the VFO set on a frequency that is in Segment 5 (my label, just for clarity), the tuner will for for good matches in Segment 5 ? correct? 2. If no good matches are found in Segment 5, the KAT500 will do a Full Tune to create one ? correct? 3. It seems to me that "Training the Tuner" is truly a convenience exercise: populating segments in the band so the tuner will find a good match and not have to do a Full Tune ? correct? 4. Rather than setting just low, middle, and high tuning solutions on 20 meter SSB, for example, I set a solution in each of the 11 segments, thinking that no matter where I tune in 20 meter SSB, the KAT500 will find a good solution. ? correct?" 1 - Each tuner bin has a finite width. The match at the upper end, middle, and lower end of each bin may be different. How different depends on the characteristics of the antenna. 2. Only if the tuner is in AUTO mode. Many seem to recommend training for the band and then using MAN mode. That is how I use my KAT500. 3. If you train the tuner then you are finding and saving a match for each bin at your convenience. This is better than having the tuner un-key the amplifier and try to find a match while you are attempting a QSO. 4. Populating all bins in a band with good solutions is, in my opinion, the best way to use the KAT500 but it is still no guarantee that it will give a good match on every frequency (see 1 above). 73, Andy, k3wyc From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 12 00:05:21 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:05:21 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: <060401d77673$1d678880$58369980$@frawg.org> <000001d7767f$97f3f230$c7dbd690$@k6kar.com> <07cf01d77696$1b8ce730$52a6b590$@frawg.org> Message-ID: On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: > What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made > "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center > pin. For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported counterfeiting of their products. Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of grief. In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. 73, Jim K9YC From kevinr at coho.net Mon Jul 12 00:29:39 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:29:39 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report Message-ID: <13b89642-ca86-3e70-70ee-2efaa39f28bc@coho.net> Good Evening, ?? Conditions were a bit better on forty meters.? There was deeper QSB but signals were stronger.? I was surprised at how cool the temperatures were around the country.? Then I got to Dale who said 105 F was cooler than the days preceding.? Hopefully his A/C keeps working. ?? The solar stream is close.? Maybe that will boost conditions during the week.? There are a few sunspot groups moving into position.? One of them is shooting B class flares.? The sun is waking up. ? On 14050.7 kHz at 2200z: K6XK - Roy - IA K0DTJ - Brian - CA ? On 7047.5 kHz at 0000z: K0DTJ - Brian - CA WM5F - Dwight? - ID K6PJV - Dale - CA W0CZ - Ken - ND W7LKG - Rick - WA ?? Until next week 73, ????? Kevin.? KD5ONS _ Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed by the masses.? ~ Plato From rocketnj at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 06:40:31 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (David Decoons) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 06:40:31 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Times Microwave also make good connectors. We use them on UHF, but most cables we make are designed to be put in place semi-permantly. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my iPad > On Jul 12, 2021, at 12:07 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > ?On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. > > For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported counterfeiting of their products. > > Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of grief. > > In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From jd at ko8v.net Mon Jul 12 07:51:28 2021 From: jd at ko8v.net (Joseph DeVincentis) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:51:28 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX light flashing when RTS=PTT In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I don't think I've seen an answer to this question. Is H/W flow control set for the port. That would explain it. I don't recall if N1MM has flow control as an option or not when setting up the port, but the port settings in the device manager do. If that is not the answer, then we need to look elsewhere. Is there any other software besides N1MM that can possibly be using serial ports? If so, don't bring them up and see if it goes away. Then bring them up one by one to figure out who's doing it. If that doesn't help, go here (https://www.eltima.com/products/serial-port-monitor/) and download the monitor. IIRC, they have a 14 free trial. It will help you find out who is messing with the serial port for the radio. I can't tell you how many really bad actors (not just ham programs) that are out there for serial ports. I have caught programs opening every port up to 15 times to scan and see what ports are available rather than using the registry as they should - dumb programmers. That drove my radio nuts because it would mess with DTR/RTS. I have caught programs opening every port and playing with modem control and constantly sending data to see what responses it gets to find their devices and causing all sorts of havoc - those programmers should be fired and sent to McDonalds to flip burgers - that is all they are good for. Programs should never send data to devices they don't know they own. I've gotten to the point of looking at firing up virtual machines so I can control what hardware the bad actor programs can even see. I really wish M$ would put ACLs in place for the COM ports. Then there's the whole serial enumerator idea (again someone's bad idea to treat serial ports as plug and play) causing havoc with mice. Thank M$ and FTDI for perpetuating that horrifically bad idea. Sorry for the soap box, but I was trying to give you an idea of just how badly serial ports are treated in Windows by both M$ and the programmers out there. 73, Joe On Jul 10, 2021, at 14:01, Frank Stein > wrote: At Field Day this year, the K3 TX light started flashing when we loaded N1MM to use RTS=PTT to send .wav files. This only occurs when RTS=PTT is set on the rig. I thought it was a bug in N1MM but it also does this when using N3FLP's logger and the flashing corresponds to the polling rate (which N3FJP allows one to set). This is not a bug in either program since I get the same response when I use the K3 Utility and select Terminal Tab. Why would polling the rig cause the TX light to flash and the receive audio to momentarily drop? This is not a temporary initiation of the USB-RS-232 connection. And more importantly, what setting is wrong that is causing this? I have tried a different computer with a rs-232 port and I get the same result. Thanks, Frank W4TG fstein at ieee.org From 99sunset at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 09:43:01 2021 From: 99sunset at gmail.com (Steve Hall) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:43:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net 7.280 Message-ID: Thanks to my relay stations. Low noise and low signal levels. WM6P STEVE GA K3S NETCONTROL W9EJB ED IN K3 K8NU CARL OH FTDX101 K1NW BRIAN RI K3 KO4QEB TIM FL IC718 KB9AVO PAUL IN K4 NG5Q DALE AR FTDX1200 WB9JNZ ERIC IL FT990 NC0JW JIM CO KX3 N6JW JOHN CA KX3 AE6JV BILL NH K3 NF7P PHIL OR K3 KB3FBR JOE PA K2 N8SBE DAVE MI K3S WK4K JERRY TN DRAKE From john at kk9a.com Mon Jul 12 11:09:27 2021 From: john at kk9a.com (john at kk9a.com) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:09:27 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: <001f01d7772f$e8417090$b8c451b0$@com> A PL-259 should have a 5/32" (4mm) pin. John KK9A kd4iz wrote: What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good connector, when perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle recentering of the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a self-administered head smack. Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ Science River LLC Biomedical Consulting Services From john at kk9a.com Mon Jul 12 11:09:24 2021 From: john at kk9a.com (john at kk9a.com) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:09:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: <001e01d7772f$e6aaf210$b400d630$@com> So does Andrew/Commscope. John KK9A WO2X wrote: Times Microwave also make good connectors. We use them on UHF, but most cables we make are designed to be put in place semi-permantly. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my iPad > On Jul 12, 2021, at 12:07 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > ?On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. > > For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported counterfeiting of their products. > > Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of grief. > > In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. > > 73, Jim K9YC From rocketnj at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 11:23:52 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (rocketnj at gmail.com) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:23:52 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <001e01d7772f$e6aaf210$b400d630$@com> References: <001e01d7772f$e6aaf210$b400d630$@com> Message-ID: <00e301d77731$ebe22c10$c3a68430$@gmail.com> Yes, Andrews especially for Heliax hardline ? 73 Dave wo2x -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of john at kk9a.com Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 11:09 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem So does Andrew/Commscope. John KK9A WO2X wrote: Times Microwave also make good connectors. We use them on UHF, but most cables we make are designed to be put in place semi-permantly. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my iPad > On Jul 12, 2021, at 12:07 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > ?On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore >> made "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. > > For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported counterfeiting of their products. > > Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of grief. > > In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. > > 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From ve2_ugo at hotmail.com Mon Jul 12 12:01:51 2021 From: ve2_ugo at hotmail.com (Hugo Loranger) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:01:51 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: Hi Jim, So Amphenol, DX Engineering, RF Industries, Times Microwave, Andrews, are not recommended? Only Belden? Hugo Message: 13 Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:05:21 -0700 From: Jim Brown > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: > What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made > "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center > pin. For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported counterfeiting of their products. Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of grief. In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. 73, Jim K9YC From ny9h at arrl.net Mon Jul 12 12:34:41 2021 From: ny9h at arrl.net (Bill Steffey NY9H) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:34:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I'll bet he meant Amphenol.... On 7/12/2021 12:01 PM, Hugo Loranger wrote: > Hi Jim, > > So Amphenol, DX Engineering, RF Industries, Times Microwave, Andrews, are not recommended? > > Only Belden? > > > > Hugo > > Message: 13 > Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:05:21 -0700 > From: Jim Brown > > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center >> pin. > For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio > Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio > connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems > with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty > common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported > counterfeiting of their products. > > Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very > expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with > several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of > grief. > > In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded > Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ny9h at arrl.net From wglevy at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 12:51:42 2021 From: wglevy at gmail.com (William Levy) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:51:42 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors Message-ID: I buy Amphenol connectors. I have for 60 years. They don't fail me. I buy better coax and hard line. Great radios. You get what you pay for. If you can't afford it don't buy cheap. Wait until your budget allows. An old boy used to laugh at me always buying 20 dollar SWR meters. He told me to stop doing that and go buy a Bird for $ 125. He told me I would anyway and why waste my money on the cheap stuff that would fail me. Just my two cents. Bill N2WL From douglas.hagerman at me.com Mon Jul 12 13:08:08 2021 From: douglas.hagerman at me.com (Douglas Hagerman) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:08:08 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 antenna connector confusion Message-ID: I have slowly progressed to the point in the K2A2BKIT instructions step ?Receiver Alignment.? The instructions are to inject a signal using either an antenna or a signal generator, but I am not hearing anything (other than noise) with my antenna connected to either the ANTENNA or the RCV ANT connector. The radio has the 160 meter / receiver antenna kit installed, not modified, and previously working. It also has the KAT2 tuner kit, but that is not installed right now because the wires aren?t long enough to have it installed and to get to the tuning inductors. Do I need to temporarily re-install a jumper somewhere? Which antenna port should I be using? It is of course possible that I have messed up the RF signal path somehow, but first I need to figure out how the antenna connectors work when the radio is half taken apart! Thanks. Doug, W0UHU. From ve2_ugo at hotmail.com Mon Jul 12 13:17:23 2021 From: ve2_ugo at hotmail.com (Hugo Loranger) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:17:23 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: , Message-ID: Probably! Belden cable with Amphenol connectors ... ? Hugo -------- Message d'origine -------- De : Bill Steffey NY9H Date : 2021-07-12 12 h 34 (GMT-05:00) ? : Hugo Loranger , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Objet : Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem I'll bet he meant Amphenol.... On 7/12/2021 12:01 PM, Hugo Loranger wrote: > Hi Jim, > > So Amphenol, DX Engineering, RF Industries, Times Microwave, Andrews, are not recommended? > > Only Belden? > > > > Hugo > > Message: 13 > Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:05:21 -0700 > From: Jim Brown > > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem > Message-ID: > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > On 7/11/2021 1:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made >> "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center >> pin. > For several decades, I've served on the Standards Committee of the Audio > Engineering Society with representatives of the two best mfrs of audio > connectors -- Switchcraft and Neutrik. Both report having had problems > with counterfeits of their parts, and that out of tolerance pretty > common. Some major mic mfrs, both US and EU, have reported > counterfeiting of their products. > > Years ago, I learned that cheap, no-brand connectors are a very > expensive mistake. When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked up with > several dozen adapters that, over the next ten years caused me no end of > grief. > > In North America, if a UHF, BNC, or type-N connector isn't branded > Belden or stamped with a MIL part number, it's junk. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ny9h at arrl.net From radioham at mchsi.com Mon Jul 12 13:32:42 2021 From: radioham at mchsi.com (David Christ) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:32:42 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <001f01d7772f$e8417090$b8c451b0$@com> References: <001f01d7772f$e8417090$b8c451b0$@com> Message-ID: <1BA4F286-CDA1-4220-9486-5E8AF2D09BEC@mchsi.com> 5/32? inches is 0.156? which is 3.968 mm. So if the Asian manufacturer considers 4 mm easier and close enough the pin will be oversize. WW II drawings give the pin diameter as max/min 0.158/0.154 . 5/32 is right in the middle of this range. I don?t have the MILSPEC documentation but guess this is likely the dimension. Whether that is enough to create problems, I don?t know. But I also saw a drawing where the pin diameter was specified as large as 4.01 mm. Buying only from manufacturers with a known track record of QA and following MIL Specs seems to be wise. David K0LUM > On Jul 12, 2021, at 10:09 AM, wrote: > > A PL-259 should have a 5/32" (4mm) pin. > > John KK9A > > > kd4iz wrote: > > What had apparently happened was that I had a batch of the offshore made > "Amazon Special" PL-259s that appear to have a slightly oversize center pin. > The patch cable used until recently had one of them on one end. It had > spread the leaves on the ANT1 SO259 just enough that a good connector, when > perfectly centered and seated, did not make contact! Gentle recentering of > the leaves with a miniature flat blade screw drive yielded relief and a > self-administered head smack. > Jack Spitznagel - KD4IZ > Science River LLC > Biomedical Consulting Services > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radioham at mchsi.com From jimlcary at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 13:46:38 2021 From: jimlcary at gmail.com (Jim Cary) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:46:38 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3S or K3 Wanted Message-ID: <0AA579CC-E603-4A8D-A01E-65B2B32B61DD@gmail.com> Interested in a K3S or maybe K3 for a backup to my current K3S. If you have one you would like to get rid of, please email me the particulars. Thanks, Jim W2SM From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 12 13:55:07 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:55:07 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: <001e01d7772f$e6aaf210$b400d630$@com> References: <001e01d7772f$e6aaf210$b400d630$@com> Message-ID: No question about that, but my comments were with respect to coax other than hard line. 73, Jim K9YC On 7/12/2021 8:09 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote: > So does Andrew/Commscope. > > John KK9A > > WO2X wrote: > > Times Microwave also make good connectors. We use them on UHF, but most cables we make are designed to be put in place semi-permantly. From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 12 13:55:53 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:55:53 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <24215208-68fa-b998-906d-b8cd3f37cc3d@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/12/2021 9:34 AM, Bill Steffey NY9H wrote: > I'll bet he meant Amphenol.... Yes. Bad fingers! 73, Jim From rocketnj at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 14:04:14 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (Dave) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 14:04:14 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <888C623E-9711-430D-94FE-82F391E1BF9D@gmail.com> I am using the Times Microwave connectors on Times Microwave LMR-400 for my HF antennas. Except a Belsen 8267 jumper around the rotor to Yagi. The Times Mocrowave connectors for RG8, 214, 214, 9913, and LMR400. I had the LMR400 left over from a job so no cost except the UJF male and one UHF female connectors. The PolyPhasers are type N female. As long as the coax is not swinging in the wind or run around a rotor then the LMR400 is fine. Hardline for my cable runs on HF would be overkill as far as loss since runs are under 100 feet for each of three antennas. Amphenol is the ?gold standard? for RG8/213 installations. Dave Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > On Jul 12, 2021, at 1:56 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > ?No question about that, but my comments were with respect to coax other than hard line. > > 73, Jim K9YC > >> On 7/12/2021 8:09 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote: >> So does Andrew/Commscope. >> John KK9A >> WO2X wrote: >> Times Microwave also make good connectors. We use them on UHF, but most cables we make are designed to be put in place semi-permantly. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 12 14:25:00 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:25:00 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3S or K3 Wanted In-Reply-To: <0AA579CC-E603-4A8D-A01E-65B2B32B61DD@gmail.com> References: <0AA579CC-E603-4A8D-A01E-65B2B32B61DD@gmail.com> Message-ID: <4EECC055-00D1-4F58-AD12-5B99511E301C@me.com> Hi Jim Seemingly lots of K3 and add ons available on eBay at present. Paul > On Jul 12, 2021, at 10:49 AM, Jim Cary wrote: > > ?Interested in a K3S or maybe K3 for a backup to my current K3S. > > If you have one you would like to get rid of, please email me the particulars. > > Thanks, > > Jim > W2SM > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at me.com From jimlcary at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 14:30:24 2021 From: jimlcary at gmail.com (Jim Cary) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 14:30:24 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3S or K3 Wanted In-Reply-To: <4EECC055-00D1-4F58-AD12-5B99511E301C@me.com> References: <0AA579CC-E603-4A8D-A01E-65B2B32B61DD@gmail.com> <4EECC055-00D1-4F58-AD12-5B99511E301C@me.com> Message-ID: <1934F7DE-65BB-41B0-ADFA-883694FE12F7@gmail.com> Yes, K6RO seems to be running a K3 dealership on Ebay! > On Jul 12, 2021, at 2:25 PM, Paul GACEK wrote: > > Hi Jim > > Seemingly lots of K3 and add ons available on eBay at present. > > Paul > >> On Jul 12, 2021, at 10:49 AM, Jim Cary wrote: >> >> ?Interested in a K3S or maybe K3 for a backup to my current K3S. >> >> If you have one you would like to get rid of, please email me the particulars. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Jim >> W2SM >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to paul.gacek at me.com From a.durbin at msn.com Mon Jul 12 14:41:35 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:41:35 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem Message-ID: "So if the Asian manufacturer considers 4 mm easier and close enough the pin will be oversize. WW II drawings give the pin diameter as max/min 0.158/0.154 ." Isn't 4.0000 mm = 0.1575 inch? If so, 4 mm is within the quoted WWII spec size range. The problem would not be specifying 4 mm but the tolerance that was placed on that measurement. 73, Andy, k3wyc From fstein at ieee.org Mon Jul 12 14:42:46 2021 From: fstein at ieee.org (Frank Stein) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 14:42:46 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX light flashing when RTS=PTT In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Joe, Thanks for your response. See my responses embedded below IN CAPS FOR YOU TO SEE. Appreciate any thoughts. 73, Frank W4TG On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 7:51 AM Joseph DeVincentis wrote: > I don't think I've seen an answer to this question. > > Is H/W flow control set for the port. That would explain it. I don't > recall if N1MM has flow control as an option or not when setting up the > port, but the port settings in the device manager do. > >>> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN N1MM ABOUT FLOW CONTROL. IN THE WIN10 PORT > SETTING I HAVE "DISABLE MODEM CTRL AT STARTUP CHECKED. WAS THERE SOMETHING > ASSOCIATED WITH FLOW CONTROL THAT i SHOULD DISABLE? > If that is not the answer, then we need to look elsewhere. > > Is there any other software besides N1MM that can possibly be using serial > ports? If so, don't bring them up and see if it goes away. Then bring > them up one by one to figure out who's doing it. > >>> BEFORE I START N1MM THERE IS NO PROBLEM, THAT IS THE tx LIGHT IS NOT FLASHING. MY BREAKOUT BOX HAS RXD, TXD DTR AND RTS RED. IF I START CWTYPE WHICH USES THE DTR LINE FOR CW, WHEN I SEND FROM THE KEYBOARD, THE RTS LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND THE DTR FLASHES, AND THE K3 TRANSMITS AS IT SHOULD. WHEN I START N1MM (EVEN WITH RTS = OFF AND DTR = OFF) THE TXD AND RXD FLASH GREEN ON THE BREAKOUT BOX AND THE RIG'S TX LIGHT FLASHES ON AND THE RECEIVE AUDIO PAUSES DURING THE FLASHES. IF I CLOSE N1MM, THEN THE RIG RETURNS TO NORMAL. IF I START THE K3 UTILITY PROGRAM, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL I TEST COMMUNICATIONS AND THEN THE TX FLASHES AS WITH N1MM (BUT ONLY ONE TIME). IF I GOT TO TERMINAL TAB THE RIG FLASHES UNTIL I LEAVE THAT MODE (AND THE RXD AND TXD LIGHTS ON THE BREAKOUT BOX FLASH) . SO I DON'T THINK IT IS A 'BAD ACTOR' - FOR SOME REASON SENDING AND RECEIVING DATA CAUSES THE TX LIGHT ON THE RIG TO FLASH. > > If that doesn't help, go here ( > https://www.eltima.com/products/serial-port-monitor/) and download the > monitor. IIRC, they have a 14 free trial. It will help you find out who > is messing with the serial port for the radio. > > > I can't tell you how many really bad actors (not just ham programs) that > are out there for serial ports. I have caught programs opening every port > up to 15 times to scan and see what ports are available rather than using > the registry as they should - dumb programmers. That drove my radio nuts > because it would mess with DTR/RTS. I have caught programs opening every > port and playing with modem control and constantly sending data to see what > responses it gets to find their devices and causing all sorts of havoc - > those programmers should be fired and sent to McDonalds to flip burgers - > that is all they are good for. Programs should never send data to devices > they don't know they own. > > I've gotten to the point of looking at firing up virtual machines so I can > control what hardware the bad actor programs can even see. I really wish > M$ would put ACLs in place for the COM ports. > > Then there's the whole serial enumerator idea (again someone's bad idea to > treat serial ports as plug and play) causing havoc with mice. Thank M$ and > FTDI for perpetuating that horrifically bad idea. > > Sorry for the soap box, but I was trying to give you an idea of just how > badly serial ports are treated in Windows by both M$ and the programmers > out there. > > 73, > Joe > > > > On Jul 10, 2021, at 14:01, Frank Stein wrote: > > At Field Day this year, the K3 TX light started flashing when we loaded > N1MM to use RTS=PTT to send .wav files. This only occurs when RTS=PTT is > set on the rig. I thought it was a bug in N1MM but it also does this when > using N3FLP's logger and the flashing corresponds to the polling rate > (which N3FJP allows one to set). > > This is not a bug in either program since I get the same response when I > use the K3 Utility and select Terminal Tab. > > Why would polling the rig cause the TX light to flash and the receive audio > to momentarily drop? This is not a temporary initiation of the USB-RS-232 > connection. And more importantly, what setting is wrong that is causing > this? > > I have tried a different computer with a rs-232 port and I get the same > result. > > Thanks, > Frank > W4TG > fstein at ieee.org > > > From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Mon Jul 12 14:46:43 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:46:43 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT 1 Problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I realized some 50 years ago that all connectors are not created equal.? There are good connectors and "good looking" connectors. Since we primarily intend to use the connectors and not "look" at them, then one should be aware of differences.??? If the connector does not have the company name or MIL number on it, then it is most likely only a "good looking" connector or counterfeit knock-off.?? In fact, regarding some of the ham fest connectors, I'd? be ashamed to put a company name on them too.??? Be aware of no name connectors. Amphenol has been a leader in quality connectors for RF.?? Cannon and Neutric are good for audio brands.? There's others but be aware there are many counterfeit connectors in the market place. Bargain connectors generally turn out to be NO BARGAIN because they cause issues, now or later. ? You've spent several thousand dollars on your station and you are going to trust its operation to a $1 connector?? That is false economy. Also, when soldering the center pin on a PL-259, do NOT let solder build up on the outside of the male pin.? It will expand the center contact when inserted into the SO-239 and problems will abound. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/12/2021 10:24 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: > -----Original Message----- > From:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm > Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 17:07 > To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem > > And discard those "Amazon Special" PL-259s. Use only quality connectors. It is not worth it to use off-spec connectors - you are witness to the pain and heartache they can cause. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/11/2021 4:52 PM, Dave wrote: >> If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner... That way, you >> know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. >> >> 73, and thanks, >> Dave (NK7Z) >> https://www.nk7z.net >> ARRL Volunteer Examiner >> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI From radio.n4pd at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 14:47:27 2021 From: radio.n4pd at gmail.com (Paul Dluehosh) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 14:47:27 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I try to also use only Amphenol (PL-259) connectors. While new Amphenol connectors, like everything else, keep getting more expensive, I find that used Amphenol connectors can usually be found at hamfests (remember them?) either as new-old-stock or having been cut off the end of an old cable. It may take a little work to clean up a connector with the stub of a coax cable in it, but usually the cost is low and you still end up with a real Amphenol connector. They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be because they have real silver plating. 73, Paul ? N4PD /Radio.N4PD at gmail.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On 07/12/2021 12:51, William Levy wrote: > I buy Amphenol connectors. I have for 60 years. They don't fail me. > I buy better coax and hard line. Great radios. > > You get what you pay for. > > If you can't afford it don't buy cheap. Wait until your budget allows. > > An old boy used to laugh at me always buying 20 dollar SWR meters. > He told me to stop doing that and go buy a Bird for $ 125. He told me I > would anyway and why waste my money on the cheap stuff that would fail me. > > Just my two cents. > Bill N2WL > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radio.n4pd at gmail.com From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Mon Jul 12 14:55:52 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:55:52 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <672712c4-f3bc-1af7-88f6-b88704f669a5@benlomand.net> Do note that the "Typical Matching Range and Power Limits" as stated on page 2 of the KAT500 manual.?? Pay particular attention to the power handling and SWR range between 1.8 - 2.0 MHz.?? The SWR limits are to 5:1 Low impedance,? and 10:1 High impedance. In the 3 - 30 MHz range the power can be 1000 max but with only a 3:1 SWR or better. Also note the Duty Cycle statement regarding power rating being ICAS, thus being equal time on and off with a 5 min. limit max at full power. If you aren't sure, then err on the conservative side so one won't let the smoke out of the box. 73 Bob, K4TAX Message: 2 Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:17:43 -0500 From: Jack Brindle To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching Message-ID:<7CC60665-E824-4132-BC62-014D695D7C79 at me.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 There is another big consideration in modern ATUs which use toroid cores for the inductors. The cores will heat up during transmission, especially for bad mismatches. Remember, the ATU still has to deal with the high reflected power as it provides a good match for the radio. If the heating reaches a critical level, the toroid will break, and the ATU will no longer be able to do its job. ATUs are thus rated for the amount of reflected power (thus SWR) they can handle with some margin for failure. An ATU like the KAT will handle higher mismatches at low power, but when you start trying to push lots of power through it, the heating margins drop, meaning that you should really watch the match when trying to run a kilowatt through an ATU in order to avoid damaging it. At 50 watts the KAT should handle a pretty bad mismatch, while at 500 a lower maximum mismatch should be observed. Also note that at higher power the connectors, adapters and coax cable will also see lots of heating with big mismatches. These can fail also; in fact we see that a lot. That?s why you see lots of admonitions to only use high quality connectors and adapters. Right angle adapters are especially bad as the conductor tends to migrate and short out at high power. Be sure that you use coax that is rated for the power levels as well. 73, Jack, W6FB On 7/12/2021 10:24 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:17:43 -0500 > From: Jack Brindle > To: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching > Message-ID:<7CC60665-E824-4132-BC62-014D695D7C79 at me.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > There is another big consideration in modern ATUs which use toroid cores for the inductors. The cores will heat up during transmission, especially for bad mismatches. Remember, the ATU still has to deal with the high reflected power as it provides a good match for the radio. If the heating reaches a critical level, the toroid will break, and the ATU will no longer be able to do its job. ATUs are thus rated for the amount of reflected power (thus SWR) they can handle with some margin for failure. An ATU like the KAT will handle higher mismatches at low power, but when you start trying to push lots of power through it, the heating margins drop, meaning that you should really watch the match when trying to run a kilowatt through an ATU in order to avoid damaging it. At 50 watts the KAT should handle a pretty bad mismatch, while at 500 a lower maximum mismatch should be observed. > > Also note that at higher power the connectors, adapters and coax cable will also see lots of heating with big mismatches. These can fail also; in fact we see that a lot. That?s why you see lots of admonitions to only use high quality connectors and adapters. Right angle adapters are especially bad as the conductor tends to migrate and short out at high power. Be sure that you use coax that is rated for the power levels as well. > > 73, > Jack, W6FB From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Mon Jul 12 14:59:16 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:59:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: > It may take a little work to clean up a connector with the stub of a > coax cable in it, but usually the cost is low and you still end up with > a real Amphenol connector. I've installed hundreds of Amphenol UHF connectors, and I can't imagine re-using one that is PROPERLY installed. 73, Jim K9YC From julia at juliatuttle.net Mon Jul 12 15:13:50 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:13:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: Hot take: Use cheap connectors and cable if they fit your budget and intended use and you're aware of the consequences of their failure. I've forgotten to connect an antenna to my KX3 at all and it's handled it fine, so I'm not deeply concerned about a connector failure disconnecting it. If you're putting out the legal limit and the connector's gonna be up a tower? Use the good stuff. 73, Julie On Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 15:00 Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: > > It may take a little work to clean up a connector with the stub of a > > coax cable in it, but usually the cost is low and you still end up with > > a real Amphenol connector. > > I've installed hundreds of Amphenol UHF connectors, and I can't imagine > re-using one that is PROPERLY installed. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > From lashap at cox.net Mon Jul 12 15:19:53 2021 From: lashap at cox.net (Larry Shapiro) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:19:53 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3S or K3 Wanted In-Reply-To: <1934F7DE-65BB-41B0-ADFA-883694FE12F7@gmail.com> References: <0AA579CC-E603-4A8D-A01E-65B2B32B61DD@gmail.com><4EECC055-00D1-4F58-AD12-5B99511E301C@me.com> <1934F7DE-65BB-41B0-ADFA-883694FE12F7@gmail.com> Message-ID: Kind of happened by accident, Larry k6ro -----Original Message----- From: Jim Cary Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 11:30 AM To: Paul GACEK Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S or K3 Wanted Yes, K6RO seems to be running a K3 dealership on Ebay! > On Jul 12, 2021, at 2:25 PM, Paul GACEK wrote: > > Hi Jim > > Seemingly lots of K3 and add ons available on eBay at present. > > Paul > >> On Jul 12, 2021, at 10:49 AM, Jim Cary wrote: >> >> ?Interested in a K3S or maybe K3 for a backup to my current K3S. >> >> If you have one you would like to get rid of, please email me the >> particulars. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Jim >> W2SM >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to paul.gacek at me.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lashap at cox.net From wes_n7ws at triconet.org Mon Jul 12 15:35:37 2021 From: wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:35:37 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <46e070b0-e4d3-34fa-99ea-763f3f238185@triconet.org> On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: > ...They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be because they have > real silver plating. That's what TARN-X is for. From pe1hzg at xs4all.nl Mon Jul 12 16:18:45 2021 From: pe1hzg at xs4all.nl (Geert Jan de Groot) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:18:45 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX light flashing when RTS=PTT In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <3f257b7e-8d9d-b5a4-5298-dbf31864da25@xs4all.nl> > At Field Day this year, the K3 TX light started flashing when we loaded > N1MM to use RTS=PTT to send .wav files. This only occurs when RTS=PTT is > set on the rig. I thought it was a bug in N1MM but it also does this when > using N3FLP's logger and the flashing corresponds to the polling rate > (which N3FJP allows one to set). Check whether RTS is active when you powered up the K3. Yaesu radios have a similar safety feature (cannot transmit if key is engaged during powerup, it avoids the radio immediately transmitting when the microphone is jammed under some electronics project or the cat sleeps on top of the morse key. Geert Jan From pe1hzg at xs4all.nl Mon Jul 12 16:25:26 2021 From: pe1hzg at xs4all.nl (Geert Jan de Groot) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:25:26 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 TX light flashing when RTS=PTT In-Reply-To: <3f257b7e-8d9d-b5a4-5298-dbf31864da25@xs4all.nl> References: <3f257b7e-8d9d-b5a4-5298-dbf31864da25@xs4all.nl> Message-ID: <5270e265-9b01-34fa-f7b6-bf94a799ccb4@xs4all.nl> >> At Field Day this year, the K3 TX light started flashing when we loaded >> N1MM to use RTS=PTT to send .wav files.? This only occurs when RTS=PTT is >> set on the rig.?? I thought it was a bug in N1MM but it also does this >> when >> using N3FLP's logger and the flashing corresponds to the polling rate >> (which N3FJP allows one to set). > > Check whether RTS is active when you powered up the K3. Yaesu radios > have a similar safety feature (cannot transmit if key is engaged during > powerup, it avoids the radio immediately transmitting when the > microphone is jammed under some electronics project or the cat sleeps on > top of the morse key. I apologise for replying to my own mail but the exact behavior is described in the K3S manual (page 20): PTT and Keying (via DTR and RTS) In the K3S, these are not used as serial I/O handshaking lines. Instead, the K3S can use these as PTT IN or KEY IN (see CONFIG:PTT-KEY). The default for both signals is inactive. Refer to application software documentation to determine if it can use RS232 signal lines for PTT or keying. Use these signals with caution. A computer may assert DTR or RTS during power-up, causing the K3S to transmit unexpectedly. If a computer or other device asserts RTS or DTR while you?re using the PTT-KEY menu entry, the K3S will enter TEST mode as a precaution, allowing you to change the menu setting if required. ... and test mode shows as the TX light flashing. So it's even in the manual! Geert Jan From frantz at pwpconsult.com Mon Jul 12 17:10:09 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:10:09 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: <46e070b0-e4d3-34fa-99ea-763f3f238185@triconet.org> Message-ID: I was told that all the compounds produced when silver is tarnished are conductive. So, when I built a single-lever paddle, I used two short pieced of silver wire, obtained from a jeweler friend, at right angles for the contacts. I haven't had any contact problems with that paddle. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/12/21 at 3:35 PM, wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) wrote: >On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: >>...They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be >>because they have real silver plating. > >That's what TARN-X is for. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | it. | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | - Scott McNealy (1999) | Peterborough, NH 03458 From dave at nk7z.net Mon Jul 12 18:24:15 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:24:15 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT 1 Problem In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <229dd257-1b2b-3d64-62c3-0e232b6719af@nk7z.net> See the important press release on the horror of "ACD", (Amateur Cheapness disease), at: https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/two-new-genes-linked-to-amateur-radio-cheapness-disease-discovered.754456/ 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/12/21 11:46 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: > I realized some 50 years ago that all connectors are not created equal. > There are good connectors and "good looking" connectors. Since we > primarily intend to use the connectors and not "look" at them, then one > should be aware of differences.??? If the connector does not have the > company name or MIL number on it, then it is most likely only a "good > looking" connector or counterfeit knock-off.?? In fact, regarding some > of the ham fest connectors, I'd? be ashamed to put a company name on > them too.??? Be aware of no name connectors. > > Amphenol has been a leader in quality connectors for RF.?? Cannon and > Neutric are good for audio brands.? There's others but be aware there > are many counterfeit connectors in the market place. Bargain connectors > generally turn out to be NO BARGAIN because they cause issues, now or > later. ? You've spent several thousand dollars on your station and you > are going to trust its operation to a $1 connector?? That is false economy. > > Also, when soldering the center pin on a PL-259, do NOT let solder build > up on the outside of the male pin.? It will expand the center contact > when inserted into the SO-239 and problems will abound. > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > > On 7/12/2021 10:24 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: >> -----Original Message----- >> From:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net >> ? On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm >> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2021 17:07 >> To:elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 ANT1 problem >> >> And discard those "Amazon Special" PL-259s. Use only quality >> connectors.? It is not worth it to use off-spec connectors - you are >> witness to the pain and heartache they can cause. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 7/11/2021 4:52 PM, Dave wrote: >>> If it were me, I'd replace the SO-239 on the tuner...? That way, you >>> know the issue won't come back to haunt you later. >>> >>> 73, and thanks, >>> Dave (NK7Z) >>> https://www.nk7z.net >>> ARRL Volunteer Examiner >>> ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net From wb0poq at gmail.com Mon Jul 12 19:06:42 2021 From: wb0poq at gmail.com (Bob Liesen) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:06:42 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: References: <46e070b0-e4d3-34fa-99ea-763f3f238185@triconet.org> Message-ID: Hi gang, I have been told by several people who are clearly in the know of many things, that tarnished silver is a >better< conductor than untarnished. And I have also been told by others just as in the know, that that is a myth. Anyone have definite info? Bob WB0POQ On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 4:11 PM Bill Frantz wrote: > I was told that all the compounds produced when silver is > tarnished are conductive. So, when I built a single-lever > paddle, I used two short pieced of silver wire, obtained from a > jeweler friend, at right angles for the contacts. I haven't had > any contact problems with that paddle. > > 73 Bill AE6JV > > On 7/12/21 at 3:35 PM, wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) wrote: > > >On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: > >>...They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be > >>because they have real silver plating. > > > >That's what TARN-X is for. > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Bill Frantz | Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle > (408)348-7900 | it. | 150 Rivermead > Rd #235 > www.pwpconsult.com | - Scott McNealy (1999) | Peterborough, > NH 03458 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wb0poq at gmail.com > From wunder at wunderwood.org Mon Jul 12 19:14:31 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:14:31 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: References: <46e070b0-e4d3-34fa-99ea-763f3f238185@triconet.org> Message-ID: <8C46AB21-B00E-4D56-9FD1-014DEAEB6590@wunderwood.org> Silver oxide is a good conductor, but the tarnish we see is silver sulfide, which is a semiconductor. That causes problems at low voltages. This StackExchange answer has more details: https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/365483 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 12, 2021, at 4:06 PM, Bob Liesen wrote: > > Hi gang, > I have been told by several people who are clearly in the know of many > things, that tarnished silver is a >better< conductor than untarnished. > And I have also been told by others just as in the know, that that is a > myth. > Anyone have definite info? > > Bob WB0POQ > > On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 4:11 PM Bill Frantz wrote: > >> I was told that all the compounds produced when silver is >> tarnished are conductive. So, when I built a single-lever >> paddle, I used two short pieced of silver wire, obtained from a >> jeweler friend, at right angles for the contacts. I haven't had >> any contact problems with that paddle. >> >> 73 Bill AE6JV >> >> On 7/12/21 at 3:35 PM, wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) wrote: >> >>> On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: >>>> ...They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be >>>> because they have real silver plating. >>> >>> That's what TARN-X is for. >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Bill Frantz | Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle >> (408)348-7900 | it. | 150 Rivermead >> Rd #235 >> www.pwpconsult.com | - Scott McNealy (1999) | Peterborough, >> NH 03458 From thegoeckel at outlook.com Mon Jul 12 20:39:00 2021 From: thegoeckel at outlook.com (Fred Goeckel) Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 00:39:00 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Looking for a Elecraft SP3 Speaker Message-ID: Hi, I'm looking to buy a Elecraft SP3 speaker. Please let me know if you have one you would part with. Thanks, Fred - KD8ZYD From aa4lr at arrl.net Mon Jul 12 21:44:35 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 21:44:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: What would you do with them, Jim? Throw them away??? Horrors. Send them to me, I?m not afraid to pry the old coax and wiring out. They re-use just fine. > On Jul 12, 2021, at 2:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > I've installed hundreds of Amphenol UHF connectors, and I can't imagine re-using one that is PROPERLY installed. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From al7cr at mooseaviation.com Mon Jul 12 21:48:18 2021 From: al7cr at mooseaviation.com (AL7CR) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 18:48:18 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] For Sale: KXPA100 with KXAT100 Tuner Message-ID: <12f3bea7-f3e3-4435-8e8b-05c9d3afdbc3@www.fastmail.com> This KXPA100 received new finals at Elecraft in 2019 and has been used for less than ten hours since that time. All the original cables are included as well as a KXPACBL KX3 adapter cable. $1250 via Paypal including US shipment. From d_zank at yahoo.com Mon Jul 12 22:33:11 2021 From: d_zank at yahoo.com (d_zank) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 21:33:11 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K1 filter board relays Message-ID: HiSo I am trying to get my old K1? back up and running.? ?Two, 2 band modules, 80/40 and 20/15 and b1 on each was dead.? ?No oscillator signal at pin 4 on P1, b2 fine. Replaced X1 crystals on both boards because the boards had been in storage and bounced around. No change until I tapped on K1 relay then b1 started working on 80/40 but b2 stopped.??Now I am suspecting relay problems although ohm meter checks look ok.?Just wondering if anyone has similar experience with the relays on the filter board.S/N 02134.?Thanks?Don AA9WP?Sent from my Galaxy From wes_n7ws at triconet.org Mon Jul 12 23:35:41 2021 From: wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:35:41 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Connectors In-Reply-To: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <64d77b66-6f2f-775f-9e2c-1272b7d2acbd@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: <4daf2498-46f3-f0fc-a43d-6920553c7e50@triconet.org> Since I've seen in my 65 years in this hobby about 65 different "proper" ways to install these things, I can't imagine NOT reusing them. For the life of me I can't understand this constant hand-wringing about a simple connector that isn't even a precision device.* Amphenol makes good stuff (I had one of their antenna rotors that would turn my house) but worshiping a PL-259 connector is a bit much, IMHO, of course. * When I see recommendations to tighten the connector with a pair of pliers, precision doesn't leap to mind. Wes? N7WS On 7/12/2021 11:59 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: >> It may take a little work to clean up a connector with the stub of a coax >> cable in it, but usually the cost is low and you still end up with a real >> Amphenol connector. > > I've installed hundreds of Amphenol UHF connectors, and I can't imagine > re-using one that is PROPERLY installed. > > 73, Jim K9YC From a.durbin at msn.com Tue Jul 13 07:56:49 2021 From: a.durbin at msn.com (Andy Durbin) Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:56:49 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching Message-ID: It's probably worth noting that KAT500 stores the bypass SWR (VSWRB) for every tuning solution (every bin and every antenna in that bin). The bypass SWR is used to limit the power that can be applied to the tuner without it faulting. e.g. DM BN00;BIN 31;FR 1810-1819;ADDR 10612; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;CE7;L19;VSWRB 2.40; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;CA0;L10;VSWRB 1.93; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;CFC;L1A;VSWRB 3.10; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;CB4;L1A;VSWRB 2.66; AN3;BYPB;VSWRB 1.00; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;CC6;L18;VSWRB 2.37; " Fault 2 Power Above Design Limit for Antenna SWR Transmitter power exceeds the design limit for the unmatched antenna SWR. This power limit varies with the SWR of the antenna: 600 watts at 10:1 SWR, 1000 watts at 3:1 SWR." My notes say: "The permitted power in watts is 7000 / bypass SWR, constrained between 250 and 1800 watts." The power limit implementation does not appear to depend on the L and C required to achieve a match but it could because those values are known. 73, Andy, k3wyc From alorona at sbcglobal.net Tue Jul 13 12:32:21 2021 From: alorona at sbcglobal.net (Al Lorona) Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:32:21 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> Message-ID: <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that helped me a lot. I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in particular, had said. As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at:??https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html?.?The guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really admire his work. Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of *minimum* power loss. Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use the loads on every band. I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near the 7 -? j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the measure of 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated in his post, while the high impedances with inductive reactance were generally more difficult. If your antenna must be mismatched, and you're using an L-network tuner, you want it to be > 50 ohms with a little bit of capacitive reactance, or below 50 and inductive. By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this simulated evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. Al? W6LX/4 From al7cr at mooseaviation.com Tue Jul 13 13:25:24 2021 From: al7cr at mooseaviation.com (AL7CR) Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 10:25:24 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] PX3 Panadapter for sale Message-ID: <3f1e3b93-823e-4620-b846-7f7c323c4203@www.fastmail.com> A PX3 in like new condition with KX3 interconnection cable, power cable, and manual. The current Elecraft price is $730. $525 via Paypal shipped in the US From wa6vab at gmail.com Wed Jul 14 01:43:16 2021 From: wa6vab at gmail.com (Ray) Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2021 22:43:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <60ee7975.1c69fb81.f62f9.3fcf@mx.google.com> The Statement "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." Is made in an Armature world, buy an Amateur person, Not for a Professional Product by Calibrated Test Equipment. This is Not New, it has happened for Decades. Buyer Beware. WA6VAB Ray K3 From: Al Lorona Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 9:32 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that helped me a lot. I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in particular, had said. As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at:??https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html?.?The guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really admire his work. Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of *minimum* power loss. Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use the loads on every band. I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near the 7 -? j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the measure of 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated in his post, while the high impedances with inductive reactance were generally more difficult. If your antenna must be mismatched, and you're using an L-network tuner, you want it to be > 50 ohms with a little bit of capacitive reactance, or below 50 and inductive. By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this simulated evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. Al? W6LX/4 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com From julia at juliatuttle.net Wed Jul 14 02:29:50 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 02:29:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <60ee7975.1c69fb81.f62f9.3fcf@mx.google.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> <60ee7975.1c69fb81.f62f9.3fcf@mx.google.com> Message-ID: That doesn't actually answer the question "what are manufacturers measuring when they quote 10:1 matching ability?", and makes a gross and insulting generalization about the quality of equipment produced for the amateur radio market. On Wed, Jul 14, 2021, 01:45 Ray wrote: > The Statement "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." > Is made in an Armature world, buy an Amateur person, > Not for a Professional Product by Calibrated Test Equipment. > This is Not New, it has happened for Decades. Buyer Beware. > WA6VAB Ray K3 > > > From: Al Lorona > Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 9:32 AM > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching > > Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that > helped me a lot. > > I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I > was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in > particular, had said. > > As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and > 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the > entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, > and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, > I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at: > https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html . The > guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really > admire his work. > > Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner > versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or > 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads > do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of > *minimum* power loss. > > Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads > are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but > the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be > enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use > the loads on every band. > > I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 > mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for > manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will > tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color > based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all > about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith > Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And > if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would > also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such > a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull > setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) > > For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near > the 7 - j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart > at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near > the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were > definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the measure of > 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated in his post, while > the high impedances with inductive reactance were generally more difficult. > If your antenna must be mismatched, and you're using an L-network tuner, > you want it to be > 50 ohms with a little bit of capacitive reactance, or > below 50 and inductive. > > By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this simulated > evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. > > > Al W6LX/4 > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net From d.cutter at ntlworld.com Wed Jul 14 04:35:23 2021 From: d.cutter at ntlworld.com (CUTTER DAVID) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:35:23 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> <60ee7975.1c69fb81.f62f9.3fcf@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <1884350348.165055.1626251723641@mail2.virginmedia.com> You might find some answers here: https://www.dj0ip.de/antenna-matchboxes/ On the next page he shows all the results from published data. David G3UNA > On 14 July 2021 at 07:29 Julia Tuttle wrote: > > > That doesn't actually answer the question "what are manufacturers measuring > when they quote 10:1 matching ability?", and makes a gross and insulting > generalization about the quality of equipment produced for the amateur > radio market. > > On Wed, Jul 14, 2021, 01:45 Ray wrote: > > > The Statement "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." > > Is made in an Armature world, buy an Amateur person, > > Not for a Professional Product by Calibrated Test Equipment. > > This is Not New, it has happened for Decades. Buyer Beware. > > WA6VAB Ray K3 > > > > > > From: Al Lorona > > Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2021 9:32 AM > > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching > > > > Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that > > helped me a lot. > > > > I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I > > was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in > > particular, had said. > > > > As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and > > 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the > > entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, > > and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, > > I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at: > > https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html . The > > guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really > > admire his work. > > > > Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner > > versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or > > 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads > > do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of > > *minimum* power loss. > > > > Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads > > are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but > > the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be > > enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use > > the loads on every band. > > > > I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 > > mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for > > manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will > > tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color > > based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all > > about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith > > Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And > > if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would > > also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such > > a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull > > setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) > > > > For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near > > the 7 - j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart > > at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near > > the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were > > definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the measure of > > 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated in his post, while > > the high impedances with inductive reactance were generally more difficult. > > If your antenna must be mismatched, and you're using an L-network tuner, > > you want it to be > 50 ohms with a little bit of capacitive reactance, or > > below 50 and inductive. > > > > By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this simulated > > evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. > > > > > > Al W6LX/4 > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to d.cutter at ntlworld.com From n1al at sonic.net Wed Jul 14 06:49:50 2021 From: n1al at sonic.net (Alan Bloom) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:49:50 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: The Drake tuners used a Pi-L circuit topology in which the circulating current in the inductor is independent of the load impedance.? Assuming almost all the loss is in the inductor, that means that the loss is independent of the load impedance. (Another advantage of that topology is you get good harmonic suppression for all load impedances.) So when I was designing the Drake MN-2700 I just measured the loss into a 50 ohm load and made sure it was less than the 0.5 dB spec with some margin.? That won't work when using most topologies (such as the L networks used in the Elecraft tuners) because the loss does change drastically depending on the load impedance.? For those, you can use two identical tuners back to back, both adjusted for the same load impedance.? The loss for each tuner is approximately half the measured loss.? (I think I did do a few tests like that on the MN-2700 just as a sanity check.) I found that the hardest band to get to meet all specs (5:1 SWR, 0.5 dB loss, 1000W average, 2000W PEP) was 160 meters.? That's partly because it is hard to get a high-inductance, super high-Q coil small enough to fit in the cabinet and partly because of the large capacitances required.? (The MN-2700 has 3-position switches to add fixed capacitance to each tuning capacitor.) To measure the matching capability at different phase angles, I just connected a 50-ohm load to the input and an HP impedance analyzer to the output.? By adjusting each tuning capacitor throughout its range and plotting the results on a Smith chart you can see the (complex conjugate of the) matching range.? Actually the output impedance of the tuner and the antenna impedance it matches are not exactly conjugates, but are close as long as the tuner insertion loss is low. As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor The coils in the MN-2700 have much higher Q than that.? To such an extent that it was difficult to get accurate readings on an HP Q-meter.? But by tightening the connecting bolts down as hard as possible and making sure there were no absorbing objects (like human hands) in the near field of the inductor I was getting values in the 700-800 range on some bands as I recall.? (These were all air-wound solenoidal inductors.) Alan N1AL On 7/13/2021 10:32 AM, Al Lorona wrote: > Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that helped me a lot. > > I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in particular, had said. > > As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at:??https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html?.?The guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really admire his work. > > Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of *minimum* power loss. > > Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use the loads on every band. > > I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) > > For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near the 7 -? j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the measure of 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated in his post, while the high impedances with inductive reactance were generally more difficult. If your antenna must be mismatched, and you're using an L-network tuner, you want it to be > 50 ohms with a little bit of capacitive reactance, or below 50 and inductive. > > By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this simulated evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. > > > Al? W6LX/4 > > From jerry at tr2.com Wed Jul 14 08:54:34 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:54:34 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> Message-ID: On 2021-07-07 12:29, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote: > Remember PTTL? > Poorly Tinned Toroid Leads. Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, it shorted out one or more high-impedance crystals; because at one point, it was tuning WWV with no heterodynes - just like an AM receiver. When the IPA dried off, it came back. - Jerry KF6VB From ab7echo at gmail.com Wed Jul 14 14:43:11 2021 From: ab7echo at gmail.com (David Gilbert) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:43:11 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching In-Reply-To: References: <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123.ref@mail.yahoo.com> <1048919174.3803879.1626029939123@mail.yahoo.com> <2be5db6b-1813-816f-754b-7c77b222dfba@gmail.com> <1152666103.4243638.1626193941735@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Actually, I never suggested a Q for the coil.? Al must have been thinking about somebody else when he said that part, although the rest of what he attributed to me is accurate.? I usually use a Q of 200? for an air core coil if I'm trying to be conservative, but a Q of 400 is reasonable if you have room for a coil of decent size and as you say, 700-800 is achievable if you have the ability to optimize it. ? I have no idea what the Q of a ferrite core inductor in a typical antenna tuner is. Your description of the MN-2700 makes me want to go look for one. ;) 73, Dave?? AB7E On 7/14/2021 3:49 AM, Alan Bloom wrote: > The Drake tuners used a Pi-L circuit topology in which the circulating > current in the inductor is independent of the load impedance. Assuming > almost all the loss is in the inductor, that means that the loss is > independent of the load impedance. > > (Another advantage of that topology is you get good harmonic > suppression for all load impedances.) > > So when I was designing the Drake MN-2700 I just measured the loss > into a 50 ohm load and made sure it was less than the 0.5 dB spec with > some margin.? That won't work when using most topologies (such as the > L networks used in the Elecraft tuners) because the loss does change > drastically depending on the load impedance.? For those, you can use > two identical tuners back to back, both adjusted for the same load > impedance.? The loss for each tuner is approximately half the measured > loss.? (I think I did do a few tests like that on the MN-2700 just as > a sanity check.) > > I found that the hardest band to get to meet all specs (5:1 SWR, 0.5 > dB loss, 1000W average, 2000W PEP) was 160 meters.? That's partly > because it is hard to get a high-inductance, super high-Q coil small > enough to fit in the cabinet and partly because of the large > capacitances required.? (The MN-2700 has 3-position switches to add > fixed capacitance to each tuning capacitor.) > > To measure the matching capability at different phase angles, I just > connected a 50-ohm load to the input and an HP impedance analyzer to > the output.? By adjusting each tuning capacitor throughout its range > and plotting the results on a Smith chart you can see the (complex > conjugate of the) matching range.? Actually the output impedance of > the tuner and the antenna impedance it matches are not exactly > conjugates, but are close as long as the tuner insertion loss is low. > > As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor > > > The coils in the MN-2700 have much higher Q than that.? To such an > extent that it was difficult to get accurate readings on an HP > Q-meter.? But by tightening the connecting bolts down as hard as > possible and making sure there were no absorbing objects (like human > hands) in the near field of the inductor I was getting values in the > 700-800 range on some bands as I recall.? (These were all air-wound > solenoidal inductors.) > > Alan N1AL > > > On 7/13/2021 10:32 AM, Al Lorona wrote: >> Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information >> that helped me a lot. >> >> I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that >> I was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what >> Dave, in particular, had said. >> >> As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the >> inductor and 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points >> as I could on the entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could >> tune each point to 50 ohms, and 2/ what the power loss was in the >> tuner at each of those points. Then, I discovered that K6JCA had >> already done this on his excellent blog >> at:??https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html?.?The >> guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I >> really admire his work. >> >> Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner >> versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of >> 5 or 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as >> reactive loads do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) >> the areas of *minimum* power loss. >> >> Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched >> loads are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive >> loads, but the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 >> meters would be enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, >> because you can re-use the loads on every band. >> >> I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an >> 8:1 mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for >> manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners >> will tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart >> in color based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would >> tell you all about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune >> the entire Smith Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, >> the better the tuner. And if you can shade the areas of higher tuner >> loss in red, then that would also tell you an important piece of >> information. (However, to generate such a plot through measurement >> you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull setup, which is a >> totally separate discussion.) >> >> For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was >> near the 7 -? j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the >> Smith Chart at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a >> similar point near the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive >> reactance were definitely the most difficult (using power loss as the >> measure of 'difficulty') for the tuner to handle, which Dave stated >> in his post, while the high impedances with inductive reactance were >> generally more difficult. If your antenna must be mismatched, and >> you're using an L-network tuner, you want it to be > 50 ohms with a >> little bit of capacitive reactance, or below 50 and inductive. >> >> By the way, K6JCA actually put the Elecraft KAT500 through this >> simulated evaluation and it tested so well that he ended up buying one. >> >> >> Al? W6LX/4 >> >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ab7echo at gmail.com From pa0pje at xs4all.nl Wed Jul 14 18:41:31 2021 From: pa0pje at xs4all.nl (Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE)) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:41:31 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> Message-ID: <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next day turned out it worked perfectly again. From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry out completely... 73, Peter - PA0PJE Op 14-07-2021 om 14:54 schreef jerry: > Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, it > shorted out From douglas.hagerman at me.com Wed Jul 14 19:03:39 2021 From: douglas.hagerman at me.com (Douglas Hagerman) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:03:39 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Shipping timeline (not K4) Message-ID: <3905A620-D6C3-47B7-84E2-6E494A592832@me.com> FYI I ordered a battery kit for my K2 this morning, and the order was marked as shipped in only a few hours. So the system seems to be working as designed?at least for stuff that is in stock! Doug, W0UHU. From jm-ec at themarvins.org Wed Jul 14 19:06:18 2021 From: jm-ec at themarvins.org (John Marvin) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:06:18 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> Message-ID: Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to get the 90% variety these days. 73, John? - AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: > Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! > I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl > alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next > day turned out it worked perfectly again. > > ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry > out completely... > > 73, > Peter - PA0PJE > > > > > > Op 14-07-2021 om 14:54 schreef jerry: >> Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, it >> shorted out > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jm-ec at themarvins.org From jerry at tr2.com Wed Jul 14 19:20:01 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:20:01 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> Message-ID: <5671721566b62ddc9e0174f43f128f77@tr2.com> Yup, it's the 90% stuff. It was impossible to get a year ago, but not too bad now. Still, I had to wait a month or so when I ordered it from Amazon. - Jerry KF6VB On 2021-07-14 16:06, John Marvin wrote: > Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% > isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to > get the 90% variety these days. > > 73, > John? - AC0ZG > > On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next >> day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry >> out completely... >> >> 73, >> Peter - PA0PJE >> >> >> >> >> >> Op 14-07-2021 om 14:54 schreef jerry: >>> Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, >>> it >>> shorted out >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to jm-ec at themarvins.org > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jerry at tr2.com From don at w3fpr.com Wed Jul 14 19:20:58 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:20:58 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> Message-ID: <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8@w3fpr.com> When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel to help dry it - do not flood the board. I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might occur with Kester 44 solder. Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: > Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! > I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl > alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next > day turned out it worked perfectly again. > > ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry > out completely... > From wb6rse1 at mac.com Wed Jul 14 19:37:52 2021 From: wb6rse1 at mac.com (wb6rse1 at mac.com) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:37:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <1BEAEA71-F203-4A49-BD87-C29F445AED56@mac.com> 99% Isopropyl is available from Uline. Aerospace industry standard is Miller-Stephenson Contact Re-Nu MS-530. Evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. Great stuff but pricey and you'll have to work to find it. GL - Steve WB6RSE > > Yup, it's the 90% stuff. It was impossible to get a year ago, but not > too bad now. Still, I had to wait a month or so when I ordered it from > Amazon. > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > > On 2021-07-14 16:06, John Marvin wrote: >> Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% >> isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to >> get the 90% variety these days. >> 73, >> John - AC0ZG >> On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >>> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >>> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >>> From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry out completely... >>> 73, >>> Peter - PA0PJE From brianpepperdine at sympatico.ca Wed Jul 14 19:41:17 2021 From: brianpepperdine at sympatico.ca (brianpepperdine brianpepperdine) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:41:17 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that seemed resolved with a couple months. Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and sores. Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area (right next to the alcohol swabs). If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, IMHO" Brian VE3HI Toronto From jasimmons at pinewooddata.com Wed Jul 14 19:51:18 2021 From: jasimmons at pinewooddata.com (John Simmons) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:51:18 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> Message-ID: <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee@pinewooddata.com> Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% > (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that > seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large > bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the > main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and > sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area > (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind > the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, > IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jasimmons at pinewooddata.com From jm-ec at themarvins.org Wed Jul 14 19:59:31 2021 From: jm-ec at themarvins.org (John Marvin) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:59:31 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> Message-ID: Anything above 95% or so requires processes beyond just distillation, i.e. you are getting into the lab grade region. Prices usually go up significantly for that. Of course, in many states you can buy 190 proof Everclear (95% grain alcohol) at a liquor store.? Might be easier to find than lab grade alcohol.? One advantage is that since it is not denatured, the fumes are significantly less toxic. Since alcohol is hydrophilic, it helps to evaporate the water that makes up the rest of the alcohol mixture. I suspect that getting much above 90% doesn't yield significant improvement in evaporation time. But we obviously have examples here where using something higher than 90% would be more desirable if you are not spot cleaning and don't want to wait. Regards, John AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 5:41 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% > (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that > seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large > bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the > main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and > sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area > (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind > the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, > IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jm-ec at themarvins.org From ab4iq at comcast.net Wed Jul 14 20:04:59 2021 From: ab4iq at comcast.net (Ed Pflueger) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:04:59 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee@pinewooddata.com> References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee@pinewooddata.com> Message-ID: <03ad01d7790d$0e0eb6a0$2a2c23e0$@comcast.net> I'm in Kentucky we call it White Lightening. In the Navy we used 190 proof to clean the salinity cells. Ed.. AB4IQ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Simmons Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 6:51 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ab4iq at comcast.net From bill at wjschmidt.com Wed Jul 14 20:08:17 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:08:17 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> Message-ID: <07ce01d7790d$83d0bd70$8b723850$@wjschmidt.com> Isopropanol is never denatured because its not consumable by humans. Only materials that are consumable are denatured, and that is usually done by adding natural gasoline (pentanes) to make it poison, and this is usually used in the fuel industry for blending with gasoline. Ethanol (drinkable) is, indeed a maximum of 90% pure due to the azeotrope that is formed with ethanol and water that causes a pinch point and lack of ability to distill it into a more pure form. Distilling above 90% can be done by adding a third substance to get around the Azeotropic pinch point, or by use of sieves to absorb water. Dr. William J. Schmidt (one of my Ph.D. is in Chemical Engineering) -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of John Marvin Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 7:00 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Anything above 95% or so requires processes beyond just distillation, i.e. you are getting into the lab grade region. Prices usually go up significantly for that. Of course, in many states you can buy 190 proof Everclear (95% grain alcohol) at a liquor store. Might be easier to find than lab grade alcohol. One advantage is that since it is not denatured, the fumes are significantly less toxic. Since alcohol is hydrophilic, it helps to evaporate the water that makes up the rest of the alcohol mixture. I suspect that getting much above 90% doesn't yield significant improvement in evaporation time. But we obviously have examples here where using something higher than 90% would be more desirable if you are not spot cleaning and don't want to wait. Regards, John AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 5:41 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jm-ec at themarvins.org ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From jmdriskell at msn.com Wed Jul 14 20:14:20 2021 From: jmdriskell at msn.com (James Driskell) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:14:20 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Fw: 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04>, <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee@pinewooddata.com>, Message-ID: ________________________________ From: James Driskell Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 17:11 To: John Simmons Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Not quite. Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol that contains methyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol which make the mixture unfit for drinking. Pure ethyl alcohol is drinkable (it's the kick in your booze), but probably contains at least 5% water because of its nature to absorb water. Absolute ethyl or isopropyl alcohol is at least 99% pure. Unless securely sealed, the alcohols will absorb water winding up at about 95+% alcohol. 99% isopropyl alcohol is available from https://artnaturals.com/ [https://artnaturals.com/media/default/default/MainBanner_Mobile.jpg] Essential Oils | Diffusers | Skin & Bath & Body | Hair Care Try artnaturals? 100% Pure Essential Oils, Argan Oil hair care, skin care, bath and body beauty products. Over 4 Million sold, made with only natural and organic ingredients. artnaturals.com Everclear (sometimes called Georgia Moon) may run as high as 95% (190 proof), but you need to be careful with that stuff because it will stomp you and you don't dare smoke for 48 hours. 73, Jim Driskell W7OWI ________________________________ From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of John Simmons Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 16:51 To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% > (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that > seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large > bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the > main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and > sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area > (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind > the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, > IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to jmdriskell at msn.com From n6zw at comcast.net Wed Jul 14 20:41:53 2021 From: n6zw at comcast.net (MIKE ZANE) Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:41:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol In-Reply-To: <03ad01d7790d$0e0eb6a0$2a2c23e0$@comcast.net> References: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange@torgui04> <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee@pinewooddata.com> <03ad01d7790d$0e0eb6a0$2a2c23e0$@comcast.net> Message-ID: <1374615547.240419.1626309713793@connect.xfinity.com> AKA "Torpedo Juice"? > On 07/14/2021 5:04 PM Ed Pflueger wrote: > > > I'm in Kentucky we call it White Lightening. In the Navy we used 190 proof > to clean the salinity cells. > > Ed.. AB4IQ > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Simmons > Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 6:51 PM > To: Elecraft > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol > > Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the > paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as > "Everclear" hi hi > > -de John NI0K > > brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of > course. > > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > > stuff for rubbing and sores. > > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he > can order-in. > > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > > shortage, IMHO" > > > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message > delivered to ab4iq at comcast.net > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6zw at comcast.net From n1al at sonic.net Thu Jul 15 06:06:02 2021 From: n1al at sonic.net (Alan Bloom) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 04:06:02 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8@w3fpr.com> References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: Don is exactly right about this.? When I was at HP/Agilent, the company directive was generally not to try to clean the rosin with alcohol.? (Rosin-core solder was used only in rework.)? The rosin contains an acid to help with the soldering, but the acid is locked up inside the rosin where it does no harm.? Once you dissolve the rosin with the alcohol it spreads out and can cause leakage paths between connections.? Just leave the rosin there; it does no harm HP did clean production boards after going through the wave solder machine.? But that used a water-soluble flux and the cleaning process was thorough enough to completely remove all traces of flux.? That's basically not possible using alcohol and cotton swabs on rosin. Alan N1AL On 7/14/2021 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA > only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel > to help dry it - do not flood the board. > I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is > non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. > I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might > occur with Kester 44 solder. > Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce > the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. > > If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is > complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the > cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you > can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again >> next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA >> dry out completely... From mlycan at eastlink.ca Thu Jul 15 07:15:58 2021 From: mlycan at eastlink.ca (VA1CQ) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:15:58 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5085d36b-0572-e767-5477-fe61090bb4d8@eastlink.ca> Don, I borrowed a couple of new relays from my KAT2 kit. I installed K1 and K2 with the correct orientation this time. This immediately resolved all transmit and receive problems. I have pushed on to successfully build the KNB2, KBT2 and I'm now working on the KSB2. No further problems have been found. The K160RX, KAT2 and KIO2 will follow these. My replacement relays are on the way to me from Elecraft. I'm having fun again. I have downloaded Spectrogram and I'll use it for filter alignment as soon as I complete the KSB2 just to be thorough but I'm already happy with the way the K2 is working. I've also bookmarked your web page since I see lots of useful articles. This email list sure is a useful resource. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Thu Jul 15 07:49:34 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:49:34 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: References: <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: <654121906.176873.1626349774651@mail.yahoo.com> Yep.?? I worked at an company where we had some boards with very high impedance circuitry (with the usual guard rings etc.).? We tried many things trying to get wave soldering and aqueous flux to work, but no amount of rinsing washing got the surface conductivity down to where we needed it . We wound up using mildly active rosin based flux on those boards. The diluent in 70 and 91% isopropanol is water.? 99.9% isopropanol will only be 99.9% when you first open the bottle.? It starts aggressively absorbing water from the atmosphere as soon as exposed.? Lou W7HV On Thursday, July 15, 2021, 4:06:54 AM MDT, Alan Bloom wrote: Don is exactly right about this.? When I was at HP/Agilent, the company directive was generally not to try to clean the rosin with alcohol.? (Rosin-core solder was used only in rework.)? The rosin contains an acid to help with the soldering, but the acid is locked up inside the rosin where it does no harm.? Once you dissolve the rosin with the alcohol it spreads out and can cause leakage paths between connections.? Just leave the rosin there; it does no harm HP did clean production boards after going through the wave solder machine.? But that used a water-soluble flux and the cleaning process was thorough enough to completely remove all traces of flux.? That's basically not possible using alcohol and cotton swabs on rosin. Alan N1AL On 7/14/2021 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA > only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel > to help dry it - do not flood the board. > I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is > non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. > I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might > occur with Kester 44 solder. > Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce > the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. > > If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is > complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the > cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you > can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again >> next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA >> dry out completely... ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From ky5g at montac.com Thu Jul 15 08:40:27 2021 From: ky5g at montac.com (Clay Autery) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:40:27 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( In-Reply-To: <654121906.176873.1626349774651@mail.yahoo.com> References: <1357023016.2410700.1625664683945@mail.yahoo.com> <0125aecd-186f-ad76-3482-6e129baeaaf1@gmail.com> <654121906.176873.1626349774651@mail.yahoo.com> <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8@w3fpr.com> <2a82317e-345b-4b79-11ee-5d8b5ee0610c@xs4all.nl> <656040518.2371149.1625656483552@mail.yahoo.com> <826B752C-5B9C-4E4B-8923-02A0B34818BD@gmail.com> Message-ID: <93b917e9-8a93-4155-a482-8e9732f4deb6@edison> You can radically mitigate the issue by using a secondary container for that which you'll use in a week or so, and only open the quart/gallon to dispense to working container. I have dry argon in my shack to purge gas space in any container that is hygroscopic or oxidizes in presence of atmosphere. I use 99.9 for cleaning all boards (flush after "scrub"). Where allowed, I follow up with RODI water flush and forced air drying. Clay Autery KY5G > > On Jul 15, 2021 at 06:51, Louandzip via Elecraft wrote: > > > 99.9% isopropanol will only be 99.9% when you first open the bottle. It starts aggressively absorbing water from the atmosphere as soon as exposed. > > Lou W7HV From w2up at comcast.net Thu Jul 15 09:30:21 2021 From: w2up at comcast.net (Barry) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:30:21 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Nabble down Message-ID: Nabble has been unavailable (DNS error) to read the kist for a few days.? Temporary glitch or is it gone forever? Barry W2UP From wunder at wunderwood.org Thu Jul 15 13:50:42 2021 From: wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:50:42 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 Message-ID: <9A29C724-5EC7-46E6-9B20-D4834EF1EE66@wunderwood.org> The mic jack on my KX3 is not making good contact with my MH3. I need to push the plug in an extra bit, then feel a small click, then PTT works. If I move the cable at all, it backs out past that click and the PTT switch doesn?t make the rig transmit. The same thing happens with other plugs. This is a fairly early model, serial number 29xx. Any ideas other than sending it in for repair? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) From Lyn at LNAINC.com Thu Jul 15 14:52:22 2021 From: Lyn at LNAINC.com (Lyn Norstad) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:52:22 -0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 In-Reply-To: <9A29C724-5EC7-46E6-9B20-D4834EF1EE66@wunderwood.org> References: <9A29C724-5EC7-46E6-9B20-D4834EF1EE66@wunderwood.org> Message-ID: <002a01d779aa$8c158220$a4408660$@LNAINC.com> You could try to replace the jack yourself. It's an uncommon size (TRRS), but Philmore #70-088 should work: https://shopintertex.com/philmore-70-088-chassis-mt-female-jack-3-5mm-4-conductor.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwub-HBhCyARIsAPctr7y3_kdB6IO7H2ehsuk2J5Ogwgfu2jpcBB2wN-453t_tS2F43g2z7JoaAlkZEALw_wcB 73 Lyn, W0LEN -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Walter Underwood Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 5:51 PM To: Reflector Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 The mic jack on my KX3 is not making good contact with my MH3. I need to push the plug in an extra bit, then feel a small click, then PTT works. If I move the cable at all, it backs out past that click and the PTT switch doesn?t make the rig transmit. The same thing happens with other plugs. This is a fairly early model, serial number 29xx. Any ideas other than sending it in for repair? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com From al7cr at mooseaviation.com Thu Jul 15 16:28:09 2021 From: al7cr at mooseaviation.com (AL7CR) Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:28:09 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] FS: KX3 with all the internal options and accesories Message-ID: I am offering my KX3 for sale. It is in very nice condition and functions as new. All the available internal options are installed. It will ship with the full original cable set, the printed manuals, and the accessories listed below. The installed options are: KXAT3 20 watt ATU KX3-2M 2 meter module KXBC3 NiMh Internal Charger with Real Time Clock KCFL3 Dual Bandwidth Roofing Filter The accessories included are: KC3-PCKT Cable Set MH-3 Hand Mike XG50 Signal Source The entire package is $1400 shipped in the US. Payment via Paypal. From ltfiore at aol.com Sat Jul 17 11:44:40 2021 From: ltfiore at aol.com (Louis Fiore) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 11:44:40 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Background RF noise from a KPA1500 amp References: <10216A7E-C978-4DFA-B511-3432A4024D4C.ref@aol.com> Message-ID: <10216A7E-C978-4DFA-B511-3432A4024D4C@aol.com> Good morning, Has anyone noticed a slight background noise increase from both the KPA1500 amp and its power supply? It seems the background noise on the waterfall of my Flex radio goes down about 2 db when I turn off the amp and another db or so when I turn off the power supply. It?s about a 3 db overall increase when both are on. I?ve noticed this on 80 meters and to a lesser extent on 40 meters. It is imperceptible on 20 meters. There?s too much local noise to see anything on 160 meters. 73, Lou W2LTF From va3mw at portcredit.net Sat Jul 17 12:06:06 2021 From: va3mw at portcredit.net (Michael Walker) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 12:06:06 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] W2 Sensors - calibration Message-ID: Hi All At the moment, I am using a 200 watt HF W2 Sensor on VHF, and while I realize it isn't far from perfect, it is perfectly good enough to tell me if I have LOTS of watts out on a remote VHF station or no watts out. I could calibrate it against a known good watt meter if need as that is easy enough to do. Or, could I convert it to a VHF 200 watt sensor as it looks like Elecraft is not stocking them anymore based on trying to order a couple from the web page. The W2 is a great meter for remote operation and we actually use NodeRed on a RPI to make it web readable. Mike va3mw From ed.n3cw at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 13:08:44 2021 From: ed.n3cw at gmail.com (Ed G) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 13:08:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] WTB: KPA100/KAT100/EC2 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <60f30e9c.1c69fb81.fd757.3a9f@mx.google.com> Looking to buy a KPA100 amp and KAT100 tuner in the EC2 enclosure. Thanks for info? --Ed, N3CW? -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus From bill at soundbusiness.us Sat Jul 17 13:41:16 2021 From: bill at soundbusiness.us (William Hein) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 11:41:16 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Found a copy of the KE7X "The Elecraft KX3 - Portable" book Message-ID: While cleaning out my shack, I found a copy of the KE7X The Elecraft KX3 - Portable" spiral-bound book. I believe this is the first edition with the color photograph on the cover. $25 total sent via USPS to CONUS. PayPal preferred. 73, Bill AA7XT *Bill Hein* *Sound Business Strategies, LLC* *m 970-628-5120* *bill at soundbusiness.us * *The information contained in this transmission may contain privileged and confidential information, including patient information protected by federal and state privacy laws. It is intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.* *Please help reduce paper and ink usage. Print only if necessary.* From bill at soundbusiness.us Sat Jul 17 14:10:11 2021 From: bill at soundbusiness.us (William Hein) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 12:10:11 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] The KE7X KX3 Book Has Been Sold Message-ID: Thanks to all who responded. 73 Bill AA7XT *Bill Hein* *Sound Business Strategies, LLC* *m 970-628-5120* *bill at soundbusiness.us * *The information contained in this transmission may contain privileged and confidential information, including patient information protected by federal and state privacy laws. It is intended only for the use of the person(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution, or duplication of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.* *Please help reduce paper and ink usage. Print only if necessary.* From 99sunset at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 14:40:34 2021 From: 99sunset at gmail.com (Steve Hall) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:40:34 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear Message-ID: John NI0K, Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two different products. Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) Steve WM6P From pvandyke1953 at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 15:04:08 2021 From: pvandyke1953 at gmail.com (Paul Van Dyke) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 15:04:08 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Do you have an Elecraft radio?? Message-ID: Sunday Sunday Sunday Not a race track , Just get to know others with Elecraft radios or see if you can get in. Hey the K4 crew, we are waiting for you!! The SSB Elecraft Nets ---------------------------------- 20 Meter SSB Elecraft Net Sunday 14.3035 +/- kHz at 1800Z 40 Meter SSB Elecraft Net Sunday 7.280 kHz at 18:45z 80 Meter SSB Elecraft Net Sunday Night/Monday morning 3.775+/- at 01:00z -------------------------------------- The CW Elecraft Nets Kevin, KD5ONS does a great job on this 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) Please take note of the time .. adapt your time from there depending where you are! See you on the Net Paul Van Dyke -KB9AVO From pvandyke1953 at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 15:08:26 2021 From: pvandyke1953 at gmail.com (Paul Van Dyke) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 15:08:26 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I had a glass of that stuff next to the radio, and when I came back 10 mins later 1/2 was gone and the radio was acting up and being strange. Hmmmmmm Paul KB9AVO On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 2:42 PM Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > John NI0K, > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > different products. > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > Steve > WM6P > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com > From weaverwf at usermail.com Sat Jul 17 15:34:32 2021 From: weaverwf at usermail.com (weaverwf at usermail.com) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 15:34:32 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <95FBDB87-7294-4D46-9A52-F79F5D11B78C@usermail.com> I hope your radio is at least 18, just to keep you out of trouble :). 73, Bill WE5P Comfortably Numb > On Jul 17, 2021, at 15:09, Paul Van Dyke wrote: > > ?I had a glass of that stuff next to the radio, and when I came back 10 mins > later > 1/2 was gone and the radio was acting up and being strange. > Hmmmmmm > Paul KB9AVO > >> On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 2:42 PM Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: >> >> John NI0K, >> Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two >> different products. >> Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain >> alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) >> Steve >> WM6P >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to weaverwf at usermail.com From bill at wjschmidt.com Sat Jul 17 15:38:23 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:38:23 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <057501d77b43$4ee86f80$ecb94e80$@wjschmidt.com> Denatured alcohol is NOT wood alcohol. Wood alcohol is METHANOL... it was originally made by fermenting wood. Denatured alcohol is ethanol (drinkable alcohol) that has been purposely tainted/ spiked with a poison substance so that it cannot be sold as drinkable alcohol. Common denaturants are methanol, gasoline, natural gasoline (pentane range hydrocarbons), etc. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ email:? bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Steve Hall Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2021 1:41 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear John NI0K, Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two different products. Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) Steve WM6P ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From n4cc at windstream.net Sat Jul 17 15:41:22 2021 From: n4cc at windstream.net (n4cc at windstream.net) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 13:41:22 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <004701d77b43$b9a36f00$2cea4d00$@windstream.net> This list is for 160 meter issues --not for chemistry. There was only one response that was accurate -- from Dr. Schmidt. Brian started the discussion talking about isopropyl alcohol -- not ethyl alcohol and it turns out many don't recognize the difference. Hope you don't drink 99% IPA....but it would "clean up" this list if you did. 73, Greg-N4CC -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2021 11:10 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to elecraft at mailman.qth.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net You can reach the person managing the list at elecraft-owner at mailman.qth.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Re: Broke my K2 :( (John Marvin) 2. Re: Broke my K2 :( (jerry) 3. Re: Broke my K2 :( (Don Wilhelm) 4. Re: Broke my K2 :( (wb6rse1 at mac.com) 5. 99.9 % alcohol (brianpepperdine brianpepperdine) 6. Re: 99.9 % alcohol (John Simmons) 7. Re: 99.9 % alcohol (John Marvin) 8. Re: 99.9 % alcohol (Ed Pflueger) 9. Re: 99.9 % alcohol (Dr. William J. Schmidt) 10. Fw: 99.9 % alcohol (James Driskell) 11. Re: 99.9 % alcohol (MIKE ZANE) 12. Re: Broke my K2 :( (Alan Bloom) 13. Re: K2 Only 30-metre Band Works (VA1CQ) 14. Re: Broke my K2 :( (Louandzip) 15. Re: Broke my K2 :( (Clay Autery) 16. Nabble down (Barry) 17. Flaky mic jack on KX3 (Walter Underwood) 18. Re: Flaky mic jack on KX3 (Lyn Norstad) 19. FS: KX3 with all the internal options and accesories (AL7CR) 20. Background RF noise from a KPA1500 amp (Louis Fiore) 21. W2 Sensors - calibration (Michael Walker) 22. WTB: KPA100/KAT100/EC2 (Ed G) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:06:18 -0600 From: John Marvin To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to get the 90% variety these days. 73, John? - AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: > Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! > I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl > alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next > day turned out it worked perfectly again. > > ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry > out completely... > > 73, > Peter - PA0PJE > > > > > > Op 14-07-2021 om 14:54 schreef jerry: >> Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, >> it shorted out > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jm-ec at themarvins.org ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:20:01 -0700 From: jerry To: John Marvin Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <5671721566b62ddc9e0174f43f128f77 at tr2.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Yup, it's the 90% stuff. It was impossible to get a year ago, but not too bad now. Still, I had to wait a month or so when I ordered it from Amazon. - Jerry KF6VB On 2021-07-14 16:06, John Marvin wrote: > Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% > isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to > get the 90% variety these days. > > 73, > John? - AC0ZG > > On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again >> next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA >> dry out completely... >> >> 73, >> Peter - PA0PJE >> >> >> >> >> >> Op 14-07-2021 om 14:54 schreef jerry: >>> Actually, I suspect that when I scrubbed it with isopropyl alcohol, >>> it shorted out >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this >> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >> jm-ec at themarvins.org > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jerry at tr2.com ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:20:58 -0400 From: Don Wilhelm To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <81afb229-7701-958a-db18-56c35bae0ae8 at w3fpr.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel to help dry it - do not flood the board. I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might occur with Kester 44 solder. Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: > Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! > I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl > alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next > day turned out it worked perfectly again. > > ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry > out completely... > ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:37:52 -0700 From: wb6rse1 at mac.com To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <1BEAEA71-F203-4A49-BD87-C29F445AED56 at mac.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii 99% Isopropyl is available from Uline. Aerospace industry standard is Miller-Stephenson Contact Re-Nu MS-530. Evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. Great stuff but pricey and you'll have to work to find it. GL - Steve WB6RSE > > Yup, it's the 90% stuff. It was impossible to get a year ago, but not > too bad now. Still, I had to wait a month or so when I ordered it > from Amazon. > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > > On 2021-07-14 16:06, John Marvin wrote: >> Hopefully this is obvious, but make sure you are using the 90-91% >> isopropyl alcohol, and not the 70% variety. It can still be hard to >> get the 90% variety these days. >> 73, >> John - AC0ZG >> On 7/14/2021 4:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >>> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >>> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >>> From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry out completely... >>> 73, >>> Peter - PA0PJE ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:41:17 -0400 (EDT) From: brianpepperdine brianpepperdine To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <988950577.220969.1626306077457.JavaMail.open-xchange at torgui04> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that seemed resolved with a couple months. Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and sores. Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area (right next to the alcohol swabs). If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, IMHO" Brian VE3HI Toronto ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 18:51:18 -0500 From: John Simmons To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <68904566-53ec-31ba-50f2-d80893b184ee at pinewooddata.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:59:31 -0600 From: John Marvin To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Anything above 95% or so requires processes beyond just distillation, i.e. you are getting into the lab grade region. Prices usually go up significantly for that. Of course, in many states you can buy 190 proof Everclear (95% grain alcohol) at a liquor store.? Might be easier to find than lab grade alcohol.? One advantage is that since it is not denatured, the fumes are significantly less toxic. Since alcohol is hydrophilic, it helps to evaporate the water that makes up the rest of the alcohol mixture. I suspect that getting much above 90% doesn't yield significant improvement in evaporation time. But we obviously have examples here where using something higher than 90% would be more desirable if you are not spot cleaning and don't want to wait. Regards, John AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 5:41 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jm-ec at themarvins.org ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:04:59 -0500 From: "Ed Pflueger" To: "'John Simmons'" , "'Elecraft'" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <03ad01d7790d$0e0eb6a0$2a2c23e0$@comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I'm in Kentucky we call it White Lightening. In the Navy we used 190 proof to clean the salinity cells. Ed.. AB4IQ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Simmons Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 6:51 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less > residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if > he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ab4iq at comcast.net ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:08:17 -0500 From: "Dr. William J. Schmidt" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <07ce01d7790d$83d0bd70$8b723850$@wjschmidt.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Isopropanol is never denatured because its not consumable by humans. Only materials that are consumable are denatured, and that is usually done by adding natural gasoline (pentanes) to make it poison, and this is usually used in the fuel industry for blending with gasoline. Ethanol (drinkable) is, indeed a maximum of 90% pure due to the azeotrope that is formed with ethanol and water that causes a pinch point and lack of ability to distill it into a more pure form. Distilling above 90% can be done by adding a third substance to get around the Azeotropic pinch point, or by use of sieves to absorb water. Dr. William J. Schmidt (one of my Ph.D. is in Chemical Engineering) -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of John Marvin Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 7:00 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Anything above 95% or so requires processes beyond just distillation, i.e. you are getting into the lab grade region. Prices usually go up significantly for that. Of course, in many states you can buy 190 proof Everclear (95% grain alcohol) at a liquor store. Might be easier to find than lab grade alcohol. One advantage is that since it is not denatured, the fumes are significantly less toxic. Since alcohol is hydrophilic, it helps to evaporate the water that makes up the rest of the alcohol mixture. I suspect that getting much above 90% doesn't yield significant improvement in evaporation time. But we obviously have examples here where using something higher than 90% would be more desirable if you are not spot cleaning and don't want to wait. Regards, John AC0ZG On 7/14/2021 5:41 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > stuff for rubbing and sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > shortage, IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jm-ec at themarvins.org ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:14:20 +0000 From: James Driskell To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Fw: 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ________________________________ From: James Driskell Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 17:11 To: John Simmons Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Not quite. Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol that contains methyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol which make the mixture unfit for drinking. Pure ethyl alcohol is drinkable (it's the kick in your booze), but probably contains at least 5% water because of its nature to absorb water. Absolute ethyl or isopropyl alcohol is at least 99% pure. Unless securely sealed, the alcohols will absorb water winding up at about 95+% alcohol. 99% isopropyl alcohol is available from https://artnaturals.com/ [https://artnaturals.com/media/default/default/MainBanner_Mobile.jpg] Essential Oils | Diffusers | Skin & Bath & Body | Hair Care Try artnaturals? 100% Pure Essential Oils, Argan Oil hair care, skin care, bath and body beauty products. Over 4 Million sold, made with only natural and organic ingredients. artnaturals.com Everclear (sometimes called Georgia Moon) may run as high as 95% (190 proof), but you need to be careful with that stuff because it will stomp you and you don't dare smoke for 48 hours. 73, Jim Driskell W7OWI ________________________________ From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of John Simmons Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 16:51 To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as "Everclear" hi hi -de John NI0K brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9% > (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course. > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that > seemed resolved with a couple months. > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large > bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the > main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and > sores. > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area > (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind > the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in. > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage, > IMHO" > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to jmdriskell at msn.com ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2021 17:41:53 -0700 (PDT) From: MIKE ZANE To: Ed Pflueger , John Simmons , Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol Message-ID: <1374615547.240419.1626309713793 at connect.xfinity.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 AKA "Torpedo Juice"? > On 07/14/2021 5:04 PM Ed Pflueger wrote: > > > I'm in Kentucky we call it White Lightening. In the Navy we used 190 proof > to clean the salinity cells. > > Ed.. AB4IQ > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Simmons > Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 6:51 PM > To: Elecraft > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol > > Here in the USA it is called 'denatured alchohol'. Cheapest to buy in the > paint department of the big-box stores. Or, at the liquor store as > "Everclear" hi hi > > -de John NI0K > > brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2021 6:41 PM: > > I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get > > 99.9% (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of > course. > > Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic > > but that seemed resolved with a couple months. > > > > Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a > > large bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me. > > He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that > > was the main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage > > stuff for rubbing and sores. > > Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid > > area (right next to the alcohol swabs). > > > > If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have > > it behind the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he > can order-in. > > You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply > > shortage, IMHO" > > > > Brian VE3HI Toronto > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message > delivered to ab4iq at comcast.net > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6zw at comcast.net ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 04:06:02 -0600 From: Alan Bloom To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Don is exactly right about this.? When I was at HP/Agilent, the company directive was generally not to try to clean the rosin with alcohol.? (Rosin-core solder was used only in rework.)? The rosin contains an acid to help with the soldering, but the acid is locked up inside the rosin where it does no harm.? Once you dissolve the rosin with the alcohol it spreads out and can cause leakage paths between connections.? Just leave the rosin there; it does no harm HP did clean production boards after going through the wave solder machine.? But that used a water-soluble flux and the cleaning process was thorough enough to completely remove all traces of flux.? That's basically not possible using alcohol and cotton swabs on rosin. Alan N1AL On 7/14/2021 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA > only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel > to help dry it - do not flood the board. > I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is > non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. > I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might > occur with Kester 44 solder. > Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce > the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. > > If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is > complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the > cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you > can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again >> next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA >> dry out completely... ------------------------------ Message: 13 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:15:58 -0300 From: VA1CQ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Only 30-metre Band Works Message-ID: <5085d36b-0572-e767-5477-fe61090bb4d8 at eastlink.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Don, I borrowed a couple of new relays from my KAT2 kit. I installed K1 and K2 with the correct orientation this time. This immediately resolved all transmit and receive problems. I have pushed on to successfully build the KNB2, KBT2 and I'm now working on the KSB2. No further problems have been found. The K160RX, KAT2 and KIO2 will follow these. My replacement relays are on the way to me from Elecraft. I'm having fun again. I have downloaded Spectrogram and I'll use it for filter alignment as soon as I complete the KSB2 just to be thorough but I'm already happy with the way the K2 is working. I've also bookmarked your web page since I see lots of useful articles. This email list sure is a useful resource. 73, Murray VA1CQ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com ------------------------------ Message: 14 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:49:34 +0000 (UTC) From: Louandzip To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <654121906.176873.1626349774651 at mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Yep.?? I worked at an company where we had some boards with very high impedance circuitry (with the usual guard rings etc.).? We tried many things trying to get wave soldering and aqueous flux to work, but no amount of rinsing washing got the surface conductivity down to where we needed it . We wound up using mildly active rosin based flux on those boards. The diluent in 70 and 91% isopropanol is water.? 99.9% isopropanol will only be 99.9% when you first open the bottle.? It starts aggressively absorbing water from the atmosphere as soon as exposed.? Lou W7HV On Thursday, July 15, 2021, 4:06:54 AM MDT, Alan Bloom wrote: Don is exactly right about this.? When I was at HP/Agilent, the company directive was generally not to try to clean the rosin with alcohol.? (Rosin-core solder was used only in rework.)? The rosin contains an acid to help with the soldering, but the acid is locked up inside the rosin where it does no harm.? Once you dissolve the rosin with the alcohol it spreads out and can cause leakage paths between connections.? Just leave the rosin there; it does no harm HP did clean production boards after going through the wave solder machine.? But that used a water-soluble flux and the cleaning process was thorough enough to completely remove all traces of flux.? That's basically not possible using alcohol and cotton swabs on rosin. Alan N1AL On 7/14/2021 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA > only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel > to help dry it - do not flood the board. > I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is > non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. > I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might > occur with Kester 44 solder. > Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce > the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. > > If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is > complete.? While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the > cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you > can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: >> Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! >> I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl >> alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again >> next day turned out it worked perfectly again. >> >> ?From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA >> dry out completely... ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com ------------------------------ Message: 15 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:40:27 -0500 From: Clay Autery To: Louandzip via Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Broke my K2 :( Message-ID: <93b917e9-8a93-4155-a482-8e9732f4deb6 at edison> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" You can radically mitigate the issue by using a secondary container for that which you'll use in a week or so, and only open the quart/gallon to dispense to working container. I have dry argon in my shack to purge gas space in any container that is hygroscopic or oxidizes in presence of atmosphere. I use 99.9 for cleaning all boards (flush after "scrub"). Where allowed, I follow up with RODI water flush and forced air drying. Clay Autery KY5G > > On Jul 15, 2021 at 06:51, Louandzip via Elecraft wrote: > > > 99.9% isopropanol will only be 99.9% when you first open the bottle. It starts aggressively absorbing water from the atmosphere as soon as exposed. > > Lou W7HV ------------------------------ Message: 16 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:30:21 -0600 From: Barry To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Nabble down Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Nabble has been unavailable (DNS error) to read the kist for a few days.? Temporary glitch or is it gone forever? Barry W2UP ------------------------------ Message: 17 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:50:42 -0700 From: Walter Underwood To: Reflector Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 Message-ID: <9A29C724-5EC7-46E6-9B20-D4834EF1EE66 at wunderwood.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 The mic jack on my KX3 is not making good contact with my MH3. I need to push the plug in an extra bit, then feel a small click, then PTT works. If I move the cable at all, it backs out past that click and the PTT switch doesn?t make the rig transmit. The same thing happens with other plugs. This is a fairly early model, serial number 29xx. Any ideas other than sending it in for repair? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) ------------------------------ Message: 18 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 18:52:22 -0000 From: "Lyn Norstad" To: "'Walter Underwood'" , "'Reflector Elecraft'" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 Message-ID: <002a01d779aa$8c158220$a4408660$@LNAINC.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" You could try to replace the jack yourself. It's an uncommon size (TRRS), but Philmore #70-088 should work: https://shopintertex.com/philmore-70-088-chassis-mt-female-jack-3-5mm-4-cond uctor.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwub-HBhCyARIsAPctr7y3_kdB6IO7H2ehsuk2J5Ogwgfu2jpcBB2 wN-453t_tS2F43g2z7JoaAlkZEALw_wcB 73 Lyn, W0LEN -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Walter Underwood Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2021 5:51 PM To: Reflector Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3 The mic jack on my KX3 is not making good contact with my MH3. I need to push the plug in an extra bit, then feel a small click, then PTT works. If I move the cable at all, it backs out past that click and the PTT switch doesn?t make the rig transmit. The same thing happens with other plugs. This is a fairly early model, serial number 29xx. Any ideas other than sending it in for repair? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com ------------------------------ Message: 19 Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:28:09 -0700 From: AL7CR To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] FS: KX3 with all the internal options and accesories Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain I am offering my KX3 for sale. It is in very nice condition and functions as new. All the available internal options are installed. It will ship with the full original cable set, the printed manuals, and the accessories listed below. The installed options are: KXAT3 20 watt ATU KX3-2M 2 meter module KXBC3 NiMh Internal Charger with Real Time Clock KCFL3 Dual Bandwidth Roofing Filter The accessories included are: KC3-PCKT Cable Set MH-3 Hand Mike XG50 Signal Source The entire package is $1400 shipped in the US. Payment via Paypal. ------------------------------ Message: 20 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 11:44:40 -0400 From: Louis Fiore To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Background RF noise from a KPA1500 amp Message-ID: <10216A7E-C978-4DFA-B511-3432A4024D4C at aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Good morning, Has anyone noticed a slight background noise increase from both the KPA1500 amp and its power supply? It seems the background noise on the waterfall of my Flex radio goes down about 2 db when I turn off the amp and another db or so when I turn off the power supply. It?s about a 3 db overall increase when both are on. I?ve noticed this on 80 meters and to a lesser extent on 40 meters. It is imperceptible on 20 meters. There?s too much local noise to see anything on 160 meters. 73, Lou W2LTF ------------------------------ Message: 21 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 12:06:06 -0400 From: Michael Walker To: "Elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Subject: [Elecraft] W2 Sensors - calibration Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Hi All At the moment, I am using a 200 watt HF W2 Sensor on VHF, and while I realize it isn't far from perfect, it is perfectly good enough to tell me if I have LOTS of watts out on a remote VHF station or no watts out. I could calibrate it against a known good watt meter if need as that is easy enough to do. Or, could I convert it to a VHF 200 watt sensor as it looks like Elecraft is not stocking them anymore based on trying to order a couple from the web page. The W2 is a great meter for remote operation and we actually use NodeRed on a RPI to make it web readable. Mike va3mw ------------------------------ Message: 22 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 13:08:44 -0400 From: Ed G To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Subject: [Elecraft] WTB: KPA100/KAT100/EC2 Message-ID: <60f30e9c.1c69fb81.fd757.3a9f at mx.google.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Looking to buy a KPA100 amp and KAT100 tuner in the EC2 enclosure. Thanks for info? --Ed, N3CW? -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must be a subscriber to post. Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 ***************************************** From n4cc at windstream.net Sat Jul 17 15:46:46 2021 From: n4cc at windstream.net (n4cc at windstream.net) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 13:46:46 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Recall: Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 Message-ID: n4cc at windstream.net would like to recall the message, "Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16". From radioham at mchsi.com Sat Jul 17 15:48:34 2021 From: radioham at mchsi.com (David Christ) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:48:34 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of alcohol Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very nature so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock for making other chemicals. Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. Everclear is available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly added to gasoline. Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol solutions to the skin. Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more David K0LUM > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > > John NI0K, > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > different products. > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > Steve > WM6P From howardsaxion at mac.com Sat Jul 17 15:54:39 2021 From: howardsaxion at mac.com (Howard Saxion) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 12:54:39 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 In-Reply-To: <004701d77b43$b9a36f00$2cea4d00$@windstream.net> References: <004701d77b43$b9a36f00$2cea4d00$@windstream.net> Message-ID: <04848635-8377-473E-A762-392B8C5D1857@mac.com> Be careful with acronyms. In this part of the world (Oregon), IPA translates to Indian Pale Ale. Now, where did I put that Ninkasi Total Domination IPA? 73 Howard/WX7HS > On Jul 17, 2021, at 12:43, n4cc at windstream.net wrote: > > ?This list is for 160 meter issues --not for chemistry. There was only one > response that was accurate -- from Dr. Schmidt. Brian started the > discussion talking about isopropyl alcohol -- not ethyl alcohol and it turns > out many don't recognize the difference. Hope you don't drink 99% > IPA....but it would "clean up" this list if you did. 73, Greg-N4CC >>> > From julia at juliatuttle.net Sat Jul 17 16:05:49 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 16:05:49 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Recall: Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Yeah, that doesn't work outside Exchange, sorry. On Sat, Jul 17, 2021, 15:47 wrote: > n4cc at windstream.net would like to recall the message, "Elecraft Digest, > Vol > 207, Issue 16". > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net From wes_n7ws at triconet.org Sat Jul 17 17:29:31 2021 From: wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:29:31 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Recall: Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: We all feel that way from time to time. Wes? N7WS On 7/17/2021 12:46 PM, n4cc at windstream.net wrote: > n4cc at windstream.net would like to recall the message, "Elecraft Digest, Vol > 207, Issue 16". > From wes_n7ws at triconet.org Sat Jul 17 17:39:13 2021 From: wes_n7ws at triconet.org (Wes) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 14:39:13 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 207, Issue 16 In-Reply-To: <04848635-8377-473E-A762-392B8C5D1857@mac.com> References: <004701d77b43$b9a36f00$2cea4d00$@windstream.net> <04848635-8377-473E-A762-392B8C5D1857@mac.com> Message-ID: <0e1ecabf-4e05-6d9f-3c35-fdc96049d50f@triconet.org> In Tucson the brew of my choice is Dragoon IPA. Although it's "India" Pale Ale.? 7.3% ABV? 85 IBU Wes? N7WS On 7/17/2021 12:54 PM, Howard Saxion via Elecraft wrote: > Be careful with acronyms. In this part of the world (Oregon), IPA translates to Indian Pale Ale. Now, where did I put that Ninkasi Total Domination IPA? > 73 > Howard/WX7HS > > From pvandyke1953 at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 18:15:23 2021 From: pvandyke1953 at gmail.com (Paul Van Dyke) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 18:15:23 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: Correct ... and the one your ladies know SD-40 alcohol used in my field = Perfume And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean parts, Hic..and other things 73 ..needin a chair Paul KB9AVO On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ wrote: > I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of > alcohol > > Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very nature > so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock > for making other chemicals. > > Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. Everclear is > available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used > ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly added to > gasoline. > > Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing > alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be > absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol > solutions to the skin. > > Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow > Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. > > This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more > > David K0LUM > > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > > > > John NI0K, > > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > > different products. > > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain > > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > > Steve > > WM6P > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com From pe1hzg at xs4all.nl Sat Jul 17 18:24:22 2021 From: pe1hzg at xs4all.nl (Geert Jan de Groot) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 00:24:22 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 "deaf" - suggestions? Message-ID: <5ded159b-f40c-36bc-0df1-34522aab0901@xs4all.nl> When testing my KX3 next to my K3 in a transverter setup, I found that the KX3 seemed a bit "deaf". On the K3 I need to operate the attenuator, but on the KX3 I needed to enable the preamp instead and even then, there is very little AGC with the signals on the band. To verify, I did FM SINAD measurements and found that on 10m, the K# has -113dBm for 12dB SINAD (which is normal), but the KX3 needed -101dBm for 12 dB SINAD, so indeed, it seems "deaf". I removed the transverter option, filter option and the antenna tuner option but that did not improve things. RF output is nominal. I verified the attenuator as wel as the two pre-amplifiers (10dB and 20dB) and they seem to do what they need to do. I suspect an issue in the TX/RX circuitry and perhaps someone else has encountered this, or perhaps this is one of the "that is a known problem, change these components" from one of the Elecraft techs? Has anyone seen this? 73, Geert Jan PE1HZG From don at w3fpr.com Sat Jul 17 19:43:01 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:43:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: <220671e7-75fe-f9f6-00bb-0da4cc0c341b@w3fpr.com> Here, the XYL uses? cheap 80 proof Vodka to 'awake' vanilla bean seeds.? She has a bunch of vanilla beans and when soaked in alcohol for about 2 months (shaken every day), it makes vanilla extract. She was doing commercial baking when she acquired the vanilla beans because it was MUCH less expensive than purchasing vanilla extract from the store. When she quit baking, she had left over beans, so we have lots of vanilla extract on hand. OK, back to the subject at hand, I used to use 190 proof Everclear for cleaning boards - still applied only as necessary and with a q-tip in the area to be cleaned, blot with a paper towel.? But I can no longer get that strength in the local liquor store, they only sell 180 proof (don't want to travel to South Caroline just to get some).? So I use other sources of alcohol.? Whatever dissolves the flux buildup does the job.? If you are very careful, you can use acetone, but it will melt silkscreening and get under components if it gets to the top of the board - apply only with a q-tip in the area of concern on the bottom of the board. I had one repair here where the customer used something for flux removal.? It got under ICs and relays and caused multiple leakage paths.? I was about to declare it non-repairable, but he was willing to pay the cost of lifting components and cleaning. Remember that rosin flux is non-conductive until it is mixed with a "flux cleaner" - use only in a specific area (do not flood the board), and dry the area after application.? Make certain ALL the flux was removed from the area - if there is any residue, it can be conductive, leading to leakage paths.? Let it dry and look for 'whitish' stuff.? If there is any, you have not done a complete job. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/17/2021 6:15 PM, Paul Van Dyke wrote: > Correct ... and the one your ladies know SD-40 alcohol used in my field > = Perfume > And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean > parts, Hic..and other things > 73 ..needin a chair > Paul KB9AVO > > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ wrote: > >> I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of >> alcohol >> >> Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very nature >> so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock >> for making other chemicals. >> >> Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. Everclear is >> available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used >> ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly added to >> gasoline. >> >> Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing >> alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be >> absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol >> solutions to the skin. >> >> Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow >> Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. >> >> This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more >> >> David K0LUM >> >>> On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> John NI0K, >>> Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two >>> different products. >>> Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is grain >>> alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) >>> Steve >>> WM6P >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to don at w3fpr.com From jerry at tr2.com Sat Jul 17 20:20:42 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 17:20:42 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: <220671e7-75fe-f9f6-00bb-0da4cc0c341b@w3fpr.com> References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> <220671e7-75fe-f9f6-00bb-0da4cc0c341b@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: <4ba33a0e1be92d67b7834e827d7b6cad@tr2.com> On 2021-07-17 16:43, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Here, the XYL uses? cheap 80 proof Vodka to 'awake' vanilla bean > seeds.? She has a bunch of vanilla beans and when soaked in alcohol > for about 2 months (shaken every day), it makes vanilla extract. > She was doing commercial baking when she acquired the vanilla beans > because it was MUCH less expensive than purchasing vanilla extract > from the store. > When she quit baking, she had left over beans, so we have lots of > vanilla extract on hand. > Times change. We have umpteen fruit trees. Q. What to do with 20 gallons of plums? A. Make 20 gallons of plum wine. But we went on a diet. Lots of calories in wine. So now we have 15 gallons of plum wine in the shed. And 5 gallons of grape wine in the garage. - Jerry KF6VB From randyn1kwf at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 20:22:41 2021 From: randyn1kwf at gmail.com (Randy Lake) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 20:22:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: <4ba33a0e1be92d67b7834e827d7b6cad@tr2.com> References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> <220671e7-75fe-f9f6-00bb-0da4cc0c341b@w3fpr.com> <4ba33a0e1be92d67b7834e827d7b6cad@tr2.com> Message-ID: Jerry, I'll be right over ! Randy N1KWF On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 8:21 PM jerry wrote: > On 2021-07-17 16:43, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Here, the XYL uses cheap 80 proof Vodka to 'awake' vanilla bean > > seeds. She has a bunch of vanilla beans and when soaked in alcohol > > for about 2 months (shaken every day), it makes vanilla extract. > > She was doing commercial baking when she acquired the vanilla beans > > because it was MUCH less expensive than purchasing vanilla extract > > from the store. > > When she quit baking, she had left over beans, so we have lots of > > vanilla extract on hand. > > > Times change. We have umpteen fruit trees. Q. What to do with 20 > gallons of plums? A. Make 20 gallons of plum wine. > But we went on a diet. Lots of calories in wine. So now we > have 15 gallons of plum wine in the shed. And 5 gallons of grape wine > in the garage. > > - Jerry KF6VB > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to randyn1kwf at gmail.com -- Randy Lake N1KWF 73 Gunn Rd. Keene,NH From ldormiston at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 21:21:28 2021 From: ldormiston at gmail.com (Lee Ormiston) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:21:28 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: To add another thought to the medical doctor's good comments, when I was in school studying chemistry, some of my slower friends studying less rigorous subjects thought it would be a good idea to drink straight Everclear. They quickly and painfully learned the Everclear pulled water from the tissues in their mouth which then blistered. They reported it was all very painful. Lee N0RRL On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 4:17 PM Paul Van Dyke wrote: > Correct ... and the one your ladies know SD-40 alcohol used in my field > = Perfume > And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean > parts, Hic..and other things > 73 ..needin a chair > Paul KB9AVO > > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ wrote: > > > I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of > > alcohol > > > > Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very nature > > so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock > > for making other chemicals. > > > > Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. Everclear is > > available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used > > ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly added to > > gasoline. > > > > Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing > > alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be > > absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol > > solutions to the skin. > > > > Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow > > Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. > > > > This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more > > > > David K0LUM > > > > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > John NI0K, > > > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > > > different products. > > > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is > grain > > > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > > > Steve > > > WM6P > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ldormiston at gmail.com From julia at juliatuttle.net Sat Jul 17 21:25:53 2021 From: julia at juliatuttle.net (Julia Tuttle) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 21:25:53 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: Jesus, that sounds awful. Did they *swallow* it? Did it do the same to their *esophagus*? On Sat, Jul 17, 2021, 21:24 Lee Ormiston wrote: > To add another thought to the medical doctor's good comments, when I was in > school studying chemistry, some of my slower friends studying less > rigorous subjects thought it would be a good idea to drink straight > Everclear. They quickly and painfully learned the Everclear pulled water > from the tissues in their mouth which then blistered. They reported it was > all very painful. > Lee > N0RRL > > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 4:17 PM Paul Van Dyke > wrote: > > > Correct ... and the one your ladies know SD-40 alcohol used in my > field > > = Perfume > > And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean > > parts, Hic..and other things > > 73 ..needin a chair > > Paul KB9AVO > > > > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ wrote: > > > > > I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds > of > > > alcohol > > > > > > Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very > nature > > > so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a > feedstock > > > for making other chemicals. > > > > > > Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. Everclear > is > > > available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used > > > ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly added > to > > > gasoline. > > > > > > Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing > > > alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be > > > absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying > isopropanol > > > solutions to the skin. > > > > > > Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow > > > Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. > > > > > > This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more > > > > > > David K0LUM > > > > > > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > > > John NI0K, > > > > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > > > > different products. > > > > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is > > grain > > > > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > > > > Steve > > > > WM6P > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > > Elecraft mailing list > > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to ldormiston at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net From ldormiston at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 21:34:10 2021 From: ldormiston at gmail.com (Lee Ormiston) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:34:10 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: Julia, Yes, they swallowed the stuff. The said it hurt to swallow ice water and it was too painful to swallow anything else for about a week. Lee N0RRL On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 7:26 PM Julia Tuttle wrote: > Jesus, that sounds awful. Did they *swallow* it? Did it do the same to > their *esophagus*? > > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021, 21:24 Lee Ormiston wrote: > >> To add another thought to the medical doctor's good comments, when I was >> in >> school studying chemistry, some of my slower friends studying less >> rigorous subjects thought it would be a good idea to drink straight >> Everclear. They quickly and painfully learned the Everclear pulled water >> from the tissues in their mouth which then blistered. They reported it >> was >> all very painful. >> Lee >> N0RRL >> >> On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 4:17 PM Paul Van Dyke >> wrote: >> >> > Correct ... and the one your ladies know SD-40 alcohol used in my >> field >> > = Perfume >> > And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean >> > parts, Hic..and other things >> > 73 ..needin a chair >> > Paul KB9AVO >> > >> > On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ >> wrote: >> > >> > > I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common >> kinds of >> > > alcohol >> > > >> > > Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol. Poisonous by its very >> nature >> > > so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a >> feedstock >> > > for making other chemicals. >> > > >> > > Ethanol CH3CH2OH This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages. >> Everclear is >> > > available as 95% ethanol. Because it is drinkable additives are used >> > > ?denature? to make it undrinkable. This is the alcohol commonly >> added to >> > > gasoline. >> > > >> > > Isopropanol CH3CHOHCH3 This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing >> > > alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer. It is toxic and can be >> > > absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying >> isopropanol >> > > solutions to the skin. >> > > >> > > Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products. Yellow >> > > Heet contains methanol. Red Heet contains isopropanol. >> > > >> > > This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more >> > > >> > > David K0LUM >> > > >> > > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: >> > > > >> > > > John NI0K, >> > > > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two >> > > > different products. >> > > > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous. Whereas Everclear is >> > grain >> > > > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) >> > > > Steve >> > > > WM6P >> > > >> > > ______________________________________________________________ >> > > Elecraft mailing list >> > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> > > >> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com >> > ______________________________________________________________ >> > Elecraft mailing list >> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> > >> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to ldormiston at gmail.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to julia at juliatuttle.net > > From n2zdb.radio at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 22:01:37 2021 From: n2zdb.radio at gmail.com (n2zdb.radio at gmail.com) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 22:01:37 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Inside pictures of the K2 Message-ID: <005001d77b78$d81cb150$885613f0$@gmail.com> Does anyone have any pictures of the inside of the new K4...I haven't seen any yet? Michael, n2zdb From n2zdb.radio at gmail.com Sat Jul 17 23:19:51 2021 From: n2zdb.radio at gmail.com (n2zdb.radio at gmail.com) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 23:19:51 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Inside pictures of the new K4 Message-ID: <005b01d77b83$c6129dc0$5237d940$@gmail.com> Does anyone have any pictures they would like to share of the inside of the new K4....I haven't seen any yet? Thanks, Michael From don_roberts2000 at yahoo.com Sun Jul 18 00:56:43 2021 From: don_roberts2000 at yahoo.com (Don Roberts) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 04:56:43 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] denatured alcohol vs. Everclear In-Reply-To: References: <1543FB6C-3C6C-475A-BEF8-A01F07B3E1D0@mchsi.com> Message-ID: <343998119.171836.1626584203371@mail.yahoo.com> We used Vodka for cleaning VHF and UHF broadcast transmitters. Told by RCA engineers that that is what was in their expensive bottles sold to radio stations. Other alcohol agents left a residue that would eventually arc over. Don, W4CBS? Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 6:17 PM, Paul Van Dyke wrote: Correct ... and the one your ladies know? SD-40? alcohol? used in my field = Perfume And a world favorite - Vodka, that was used to make perfume and clean parts, Hic..and other things 73 ..needin a chair Paul KB9AVO On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 3:49 PM David Christ wrote: > I?ll try to introduce some accuracy here. There are three common kinds of > alcohol > > Methanol CH3OH also known as wood alcohol.? Poisonous by its very nature > so needs no additives to make it undrinkable, Mainly used as a feedstock > for making other chemicals. > > Ethanol CH3CH2OH? This is the stuff in alcoholic beverages.? Everclear is > available as 95% ethanol.? Because it is drinkable additives are used > ?denature? to make it undrinkable.? This is the alcohol commonly added to > gasoline. > > Isopropanol? CH3CHOHCH3? This is the alcohol normally found in rubbing > alcohol. It is also used in hand sanitizer.? It is toxic and can be > absorbed through the skin so caution is advised when applying isopropanol > solutions to the skin. > > Alcohol absorbs water so is used in ?gasoline dryer? products.? Yellow > Heet contains methanol.? Red Heet contains isopropanol. > > This information courtesy of Wikipedia which contains much more > > David K0LUM > > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 1:40 PM, Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com> wrote: > > > > John NI0K, > > Keep in mind that denatured alcohol and Everclear are absolutely two > > different products. > > Denatured or wood alcohol is most poisonous.? Whereas Everclear is grain > > alcohol and can be consumed, (in moderation.) > > Steve > > WM6P > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to pvandyke1953 at gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to don_roberts2000 at yahoo.com From kevinr at coho.net Sun Jul 18 01:56:17 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2021 22:56:17 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Message-ID: <1199475b-506b-7063-bb81-a4594b392c31@coho.net> Good Evening, ?? It began to feel like autumn this week.? Grasses are drying out and turning brown.? I saw a family group of elk at the end of Buxton Lookout Road.? Their backs and sides were a close match to the grass they were in.? They watched me then started to cross the road.? I turned around and they crossed the road again.? Gave me plenty of time to count them all.? One bull in velvet, ten cows, and five young ones.? I don't think I have seen an elk in velvet before.? His growing antlers were less than three feet long.? The various tips were bumps along the way. ?? The sun is growing more active.? There have been a number of large flares on the back side.? In about a week that area will be aimed in our direction.? The side facing us has four areas of activity, one of them may send something this way a little sooner. Please join us on (or near): 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) ? 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) ?? 73, ????? Kevin. KD5ONS - Das Leben ist viel zu kurz um schlechten Wein zu trinken. From tomg3olb at gmail.com Sun Jul 18 02:29:32 2021 From: tomg3olb at gmail.com (Tom Boucher) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 07:29:32 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA board wanted Message-ID: Does anyone have an SVGA board for the P3 Panadapter for sale? Thanks, Tom G3OLB From jd at ko8v.net Sun Jul 18 07:30:35 2021 From: jd at ko8v.net (Joseph DeVincentis) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:30:35 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Inside pictures of the new K4 In-Reply-To: <005b01d77b83$c6129dc0$5237d940$@gmail.com> References: <005b01d77b83$c6129dc0$5237d940$@gmail.com> Message-ID: Here's one of a K4D: https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/groupsioattachments/34033/82813274/2588/0?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJECNKOVMCCU3ATNQ&Expires=1626608233&Signature=078t2FNi16kJ8eNc4MXsggoNjNc%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D%22K4_Inside.jpg%22 Joe, KO8V On Jul 17, 2021, at 23:22, n2zdb.radio at gmail.com wrote: ?Does anyone have any pictures they would like to share of the inside of the new K4....I haven't seen any yet? Thanks, Michael ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to jd at ko8v.net From nv4c.ian at gmail.com Sun Jul 18 09:23:00 2021 From: nv4c.ian at gmail.com (Ian, NV4C) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 09:23:00 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Inside pictures of the new K4 In-Reply-To: References: <005b01d77b83$c6129dc0$5237d940$@gmail.com> Message-ID: <0d484e67-47de-9f22-11ab-742374c40127@gmail.com> Joe, Thank link is behind some kind of security wall, When I click on it, it returns an XML "access denied" error. 73 de, Ian, NV4C On 7/18/21 7:30 AM, Joseph DeVincentis wrote: > Here's one of a K4D: > > https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/groupsioattachments/34033/82813274/2588/0?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJECNKOVMCCU3ATNQ&Expires=1626608233&Signature=078t2FNi16kJ8eNc4MXsggoNjNc%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D%22K4_Inside.jpg%22 > > Joe, KO8V > > On Jul 17, 2021, at 23:22, n2zdb.radio at gmail.com wrote: > > ?Does anyone have any pictures they would like to share of the inside of the > new K4....I haven't seen any yet? > > > > Thanks, Michael > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jd at ko8v.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to nv4c.ian at gmail.com From Mike.Carter at unh.edu Sun Jul 18 18:37:50 2021 From: Mike.Carter at unh.edu (Michael Carter) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:37:50 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Inside pictures of the new K4 Message-ID: Ian and all, The link provided by Joe, KO8V, requires that one be subscribed to the groups.io list specific to the K4. A photo was uploaded to that archive. Mike, K8CN From nz0tham at gmail.com Sun Jul 18 18:59:09 2021 From: nz0tham at gmail.com (William Carpenter) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:59:09 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Kit Message-ID: I am curious as to if/when a K4 kit will be available. I'm currently working a part time job (old retired guy here) to help gather funds to order a K4 and I would prefer a kit. It's a bit cheaper and I still enjoy building kits even if there is no soldering involved! 73, Bill NZ0T From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Sun Jul 18 20:01:01 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:01:01 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Kit In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 7/18/2021 3:59 PM, William Carpenter wrote: > I am curious as to if/when a K4 kit will be available. They will have to work their way through a lot of orders first, many of which are prepaid. Thanks to major disruptions both of their operation and of the supply chains by COVID, it will take a while to do that. 73, Jim K9YC From frantz at pwpconsult.com Sun Jul 18 20:19:49 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 20:19:49 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Kit In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I will add to Jim's description of the current situation that they will also need to debug the assembly manual. Historically they have debugged that manual by honing their factory assembly process. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/18/21 at 8:01 PM, jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) wrote: >On 7/18/2021 3:59 PM, William Carpenter wrote: >>I am curious as to if/when a K4 kit will be available. > >They will have to work their way through a lot of orders first, >many of which are prepaid. Thanks to major disruptions both of >their operation and of the supply chains --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz |"Web security is like medicine - trying to do good for 408-348-7900 |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller www.pwpconsult.com | From johnn1jm at gmail.com Sun Jul 18 22:21:51 2021 From: johnn1jm at gmail.com (johnn1jm at gmail.com) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 19:21:51 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] NABBLE Message-ID: <001801d77c44$d6361d50$82a257f0$@gmail.com> Nabble seems to have been down the last few days. Is it me or is it down? 73, John N1JM From douglas.hagerman at me.com Sun Jul 18 22:50:06 2021 From: douglas.hagerman at me.com (Douglas Hagerman) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 20:50:06 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! Message-ID: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> Thanks to Don Wilhelm for his multiple suggestions on my problems with the K2 A to B kit. Turns out that my main error was insufficient stripping of the leads on the RFC 11 replacement toroid wire. Also I had some confusion deciphering the value of one of the resister packs. But in any case, the radio is back to normal now! :-) Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. In the meantime, I am hoping to get my K1 on the air in the Flight of the Bumble Bees this coming weekend. Doug, W0UHU. From rcrgs at verizon.net Sun Jul 18 23:41:36 2021 From: rcrgs at verizon.net (Robert G Strickland) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 03:41:36 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> Message-ID: <60F4F470.5090105@verizon.net> Doug... Before buying the lead-acid battery, investigate the Lifepo4 battery custom developed for the K2. Much lighter and more hours of operation. https://www.batteryspace.com/custom-lifepo4-18650-battery-12-8v-4500-mah-57-6wh-7a-rate-w-pcb-and-connector.aspx Also, search the archives for the history of this battery/development. Happy K2'ing. ...robert On 19 Jul 2021 02:50, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > Thanks to Don Wilhelm for his multiple suggestions on my problems with the K2 A to B kit. Turns out that my main error was insufficient stripping of the leads on the RFC 11 replacement toroid wire. Also I had some confusion deciphering the value of one of the resister packs. But in any case, the radio is back to normal now! :-) > > Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. In the meantime, I am hoping to get my K1 on the air in the Flight of the Bumble Bees this coming weekend. > > Doug, W0UHU. > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rcrgs at verizon.net > -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rcrgs at verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA From k5cm-2 at suddenlink.net Mon Jul 19 00:34:24 2021 From: k5cm-2 at suddenlink.net (Connie Marshall) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 23:34:24 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload Message-ID: While operating SO2R the 'HIGH RF" warning flashed on the K3 display. Before I could react and stop the transmission on the other radio the front end got zapped. The radio is down about 50 db on RX. I checked Ant 2 and RX antenna and the same problem so probably not the surge protectors on each of these inputs. Any ideas on what part goes out when this happens. The TX radio was on 20 meters and the RX radio was on 15 meters. Connie / K5CM From k6ll.dave at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 01:08:59 2021 From: k6ll.dave at gmail.com (David Hachadorian) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:08:59 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <71239771-f03b-138f-fa4f-2d16ef964a3c@gmail.com> Try this: https://marc.info/?l=elecraft&m=145323127930319&w=2 Unfortunately, the link near the bottom for the more robust replacement part doesn't work anymore, but maybe someone can come up with the part number.? I've got a bunch of them at home, but I'm on vacation.? The robust replacement is slightly larger in size, but it will still fit on the solder pads if you are careful. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, CA On 7/18/2021 9:34 PM, Connie Marshall wrote: > While operating SO2R the 'HIGH RF" warning flashed on the K3 display. > Before I could react and stop the transmission on the other radio the > front end got zapped. The radio is down about 50 db on RX. I checked > Ant 2 and RX antenna and the same problem so probably not the surge > protectors on each of these inputs. Any ideas on what part goes out > when this happens. The TX radio was on 20 meters and the RX radio was > on 15 meters. > > Connie / K5CM > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com -- Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ From kevinr at coho.net Mon Jul 19 01:49:35 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2021 22:49:35 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report Message-ID: Good Evening, ?? Conditions were a little better on twenty meters.? That is not saying things were good.? Weak signals in summer noise is not optimum.? On forty meters conditions were less good.? More noise, some QSB, and weaker signals.? Both WM5F and K6PJV were down from normal.? Lightning crashes were common too.? I keep reading about increased solar activity but this is not mirrored in propagation reports.? Patience can be wearing. ? On 14050.5 kHz at 2200z: W0CZ - Ken - ND K6XK - Roy - IA K4JPN - Steve - GA K0DTJ - Brian - CA ? On? 7047.5 kHz at 0000z: WM5F - Dwight - ID K6PJV - Dale - CA ?? I wondered where the deer and elk have been.? This week I found them both in neighboring clearcuts.? They are within a quarter mile, but I'll have to wait for my land to support them again.? Thinning reduced their food sources.? I did find many ripe huckleberries and some very tasty black raspberries.? The bears and coyotes will have to fend for themselves. ?? Until next week 73, ????? Kevin.? KD5ONS - ?? while (!godot) // waiting for our hero ????? { ????? buildBins(); ????? // fill bin structure ????? ptr = myList.getHead();??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? // walk list of particles ??? ? while (ptr) ??? ??? ??? { ??? ??? // Bin method of ball bouncing ??? ??? ??? heating(ptr); // add/exchange heat ??? ??? ??? nearest(ptr); // indexed neighborhood based on bin size ????? ??? ? updateScreen(ptr); ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? // display ? (it's a primate thing) ??? ? ??? ? ptr = ptr->next; ????? ????? } ????? if (stateFlag) ??? // save the current state of the simulation ????? ??? { ????? ??? stateFlag = FALSE; ??? ??? ? saveState(); ????? ??? } ??? } From john at kk9a.com Mon Jul 19 07:47:16 2021 From: john at kk9a.com (john at kk9a.com) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 07:47:16 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload Message-ID: <000c01d77c93$d2cb3b10$7861b130$@com> You should also fix the cause of the high level of RF. Did you use band pass filters? John KK9A Connie Marshall k5cm wrote: While operating SO2R the 'HIGH RF" warning flashed on the K3 display. Before I could react and stop the transmission on the other radio the front end got zapped. The radio is down about 50 db on RX. I checked Ant 2 and RX antenna and the same problem so probably not the surge protectors on each of these inputs. Any ideas on what part goes out when this happens. The TX radio was on 20 meters and the RX radio was on 15 meters. Connie / K5CM From john at kk9a.com Mon Jul 19 07:50:34 2021 From: john at kk9a.com (john at kk9a.com) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 07:50:34 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Nabble down Message-ID: <000d01d77c94$493abff0$dbb03fd0$@com> If you read the archive like I do, mailman still works: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/elecraft/ John KK9A Barry w2up wrote: Nabble has been unavailable (DNS error) to read the kist for a few days. Temporary glitch or is it gone forever? Barry W2UP From Mike.Carter at unh.edu Mon Jul 19 14:16:15 2021 From: Mike.Carter at unh.edu (Michael Carter) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 18:16:15 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload Message-ID: John, KK9A is absolutely correct: without external bandpass filters, the replacement of PIN diodes in the T/R switches, even with more robust replacement devices, may not prevent the burnout from re-occurring. The K3/K3s lowpass filter for 15/17 meters would offer virtually no attenuation of a high level 20 meter signal before it hits the T/R switch diodes. If external bandpass filters were in use, you will want to measure the low side attenuation of your 15 meter bandpass filter - it may not be sufficient to prevent a high power 20 meter signal from impinging on those T/R switch diodes. Mike, K8CN From gordon.lapoint at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 15:38:48 2021 From: gordon.lapoint at gmail.com (Gordon LaPoint) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:38:48 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 remote control questions. Message-ID: I'm using the KAT500 remote software to control the tuner remotely. The only issue I have is it will not stay in "Manual" mode and switches to "Auto" when the software starts up on the remote.? It looks like it switches to Auto at other times also, not sure about that yet. Is there any way to cause the KAT500 Remote software, in host mode, to start in "Manual" mode? I have the software start when the computer boots, along with RCForb server and RemAud. The radio is a Kenwood TS-590sg, but that should not matter.? I have tried it with a K3, no difference. Thanks, Gordon - N1MGO From ruler55 at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 16:10:02 2021 From: ruler55 at gmail.com (Robie Elms) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:10:02 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options & Upgrades Message-ID: I see the Elecraft webpage is urging us to place orders for the last run of K3/K3S options & upgrades. As of today the webpage states they are still waiting on info from suppliers for the KRX3A sub receiver. When might we expect to be able to order the KRX3A? Robie - AJ4F From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 19 16:54:33 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 13:54:33 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options & Upgrades In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Robie I gave up waiting for the sub receiver info to be updated as I suspect based on absolutely no information that the krx3a will be MIA due to parts availability. I ended up transplanting one from a k3 into a K3s and getting the Ksyn3a from K6ro. YMMV?. Paul W6PNG www.nomadic.blog > On Jul 19, 2021, at 1:12 PM, Robie Elms wrote: > > ?I see the Elecraft webpage is urging us to place orders for the last run of > K3/K3S options & upgrades. As of today the webpage states they are > still waiting on info from suppliers for the KRX3A sub receiver. When > might we expect to be able to order the KRX3A? > > Robie - AJ4F > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com From ruler55 at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 16:58:27 2021 From: ruler55 at gmail.com (Robie Elms) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:58:27 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options & Upgrades In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Paul, Thanks for the feedback. I'm concerned about the availability as well and that's why I posted the question. Robie - AJ4F On Mon, Jul 19, 2021 at 3:54 PM Paul GACEK wrote: > Robie > > I gave up waiting for the sub receiver info to be updated as I suspect > based on absolutely no information that the krx3a will be MIA due to parts > availability. > > I ended up transplanting one from a k3 into a K3s and getting the Ksyn3a > from K6ro. > > YMMV?. > > Paul > W6PNG > www.nomadic.blog > > On Jul 19, 2021, at 1:12 PM, Robie Elms wrote: > > ?I see the Elecraft webpage is urging us to place orders for the last run > of > K3/K3S options & upgrades. As of today the webpage states they are > still waiting on info from suppliers for the KRX3A sub receiver. When > might we expect to be able to order the KRX3A? > > Robie - AJ4F > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com > > From paul.gacek at me.com Mon Jul 19 17:11:48 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:11:48 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S Options & Upgrades In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6A55842F-92A7-4F29-B7D9-4209A6553603@me.com> Robie Not sure that Larry K6ro still has one but a while back he had a krx3 available on eBay. As with all the upgrades to the k3 and/or K3s, none are inexpensive and ultimately you need to weight the value add to an existing system versus acquiring a new and more contemporary radio. Paul > On Jul 19, 2021, at 2:01 PM, Robie Elms wrote: > > ?Paul, > > Thanks for the feedback. I'm concerned about the availability as well and > that's why I posted the question. > > Robie - AJ4F > >> On Mon, Jul 19, 2021 at 3:54 PM Paul GACEK wrote: >> >> Robie >> >> I gave up waiting for the sub receiver info to be updated as I suspect >> based on absolutely no information that the krx3a will be MIA due to parts >> availability. >> >> I ended up transplanting one from a k3 into a K3s and getting the Ksyn3a >> from K6ro. >> >> YMMV?. >> >> Paul >> W6PNG >> www.nomadic.blog >> >> On Jul 19, 2021, at 1:12 PM, Robie Elms wrote: >> >> ?I see the Elecraft webpage is urging us to place orders for the last run >> of >> K3/K3S options & upgrades. As of today the webpage states they are >> still waiting on info from suppliers for the KRX3A sub receiver. When >> might we expect to be able to order the KRX3A? >> >> Robie - AJ4F >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com From marvwheeler at nwlink.com Mon Jul 19 17:44:51 2021 From: marvwheeler at nwlink.com (marvwheeler at nwlink.com) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 14:44:51 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Time in Queue for repair of K3S Message-ID: <000001d77ce7$50108af0$f031a0d0$@nwlink.com> I just received an email from Elecraft support that the current time in queue for K3S repair in 3 to 4 months. Marv KG7V From rocketnj at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 18:12:50 2021 From: rocketnj at gmail.com (David Decoons) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 18:12:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Time in Queue for repair of K3S In-Reply-To: <000001d77ce7$50108af0$f031a0d0$@nwlink.com> References: <000001d77ce7$50108af0$f031a0d0$@nwlink.com> Message-ID: <51C385BD-54B3-41B0-B32F-688C9C73E44C@gmail.com> Sent from my iPad > On Jul 19, 2021, at 5:47 PM, marvwheeler at nwlink.com wrote: > > ?I just received an email from Elecraft support that the current time in > queue for K3S repair in 3 to 4 months. > > > > Marv > > KG7V > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocketnj at gmail.com From dougzzz at gmail.com Mon Jul 19 20:06:25 2021 From: dougzzz at gmail.com (Douglas Zwiebel) Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2021 20:06:25 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/10 for sale Message-ID: *K3/10 for sale* This is a nearly stock original K3 -10 watt version- with just one extra installed. 100 percent working. No dings, no scratches, no upgrades, no failures. Includes Elecraft original box. I am the original owner - Doug, KR2Q. SN 822. Always non-smoking, indoor heated and Air Conditioned environment. Never out of the shack no field day, etc. This is a backup radio for me. I have another K3, even earlier, that I am keeping. *Includes:* Elecraft 500hz 5 pole CW filter Priced for quick sale: $800 via US Postal Money Order, Shipping and insurance within CONUS extra. USA sale only. If a personal check, allow time to clear prior to shipping. Sale is final, no returns. Email: see qrz.com address *If you don?t know what was an option on early K3 radios, this radio does NOT include* KXV3 RX antenna in/out jacks, transverter in/out jacks, and a buffered IF output for use with our P3 panadapter. KAT3A 100W ATU KTCX03-1 High Stability Reference Oscillator KDVR3- Digital Voice Recorder KBPF3A - General Coverage RX Band-pass Filters KRX3A - High Performance Subreceiver K144XV - K144XV Internal 2M 10w Option K3EXREF - Ext 10MHz Ref Input for K3S de Doug KR2Q From ve3uvt at gmail.com Tue Jul 20 11:05:28 2021 From: ve3uvt at gmail.com (Chris) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:05:28 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] 10-pin connector for KAT2 Message-ID: Hello, Is there an easy source for the 10-pin connector for KAT2, or do I have to get it from Elecraft directly? Mine needs to be replaced. Thanks, Chris KM1B From hickspj467 at comcast.net Tue Jul 20 14:06:07 2021 From: hickspj467 at comcast.net (PATRICK HICKS) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 02:06:07 +0800 Subject: [Elecraft] GIFT ITEMS Message-ID: - This mail is in HTML. Some elements may be ommited in plain text. - Hi, Do you have an Account with Amazon?? Thank you, PJ From Mike.Carter at unh.edu Tue Jul 20 15:19:15 2021 From: Mike.Carter at unh.edu (Michael Carter) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:19:15 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] 10-pin connector for KAT2 Message-ID: Chris, The part specified in the KAT2 manual for J8, the female 10-pin, dual row housing is a DigiKey part, WM2522, but I checked under that number and it comes up empty. Mouser has a similar part from Molex: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Molex/90160-0110?qs=KHty%2FoMxDPm42IR2IE4wEQ%3D%3D Not sure if that part comes with the female snap-in pins to which the wires are crimped/soldered. Elecraft may have that part in stock since the KAT2 is still available. Mike, K8CN From Mike.Carter at unh.edu Tue Jul 20 15:35:39 2021 From: Mike.Carter at unh.edu (Michael Carter) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:35:39 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] 10-pin connector for KAT2 Message-ID: Correction, thanks to Chris who found it on Digikey: the part is WM2522-ND. Pins are sold separately. I overlooked the "Housings" category when I searched! Mea culpa, and 73, Mike, K8CN From k6dgw at foothill.net Tue Jul 20 17:35:52 2021 From: k6dgw at foothill.net (Fred Jensen) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:35:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 Message-ID: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> 1.? Is this list still active?? Seems like ages since I've seen any activity.? Wonder if foothill.net has it blocked? 2.? I have a strange noise on 80.? It consists of what appears on the P3 to be two slightly fuzzy carriers about 3 kHz apart, about S5-6.? Sometimes that's all there is, but much of the time, the signal slides back and forth between them forming a rope-like pattern.? The pattern is repeated about 25 kHz lower, and both are synchronized.? The lower pair is centered on 3518, the upper pair on 3542. I've done all the usual [K3 on battery/main breaker off], DFing some, and I've searched down to 100 kHz and don't find it.? My P3 is in fixed tune mode so the noise display remains constant on the screen as I tune across it.? Then, I noticed that when I tune the K3, it disturbs the steady back and forth, creating a much finer rope-like pattern.? It is totally repeatable, and happens on both the lower and upper signals.? Tuning either direction does the same thing.? When I stop tuning the Big Knob, it reverts to the slow back and forth about once per second. Wondering if there's something amiss in my K3.? It works normally in all other respects, and these signals do not appear anywhere else up to 29.5 MHz. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County From ae6lx at worldwidedx.com Tue Jul 20 18:38:27 2021 From: ae6lx at worldwidedx.com (Tim Tucker) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:38:27 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 In-Reply-To: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> References: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> Message-ID: Can you post a picture of the signal? On Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 2:35 PM Fred Jensen wrote: > 1. Is this list still active? Seems like ages since I've seen any > activity. Wonder if foothill.net has it blocked? > > 2. I have a strange noise on 80. It consists of what appears on the P3 > to be two slightly fuzzy carriers about 3 kHz apart, about S5-6. > Sometimes that's all there is, but much of the time, the signal slides > back and forth between them forming a rope-like pattern. The pattern is > repeated about 25 kHz lower, and both are synchronized. The lower pair > is centered on 3518, the upper pair on 3542. > > I've done all the usual [K3 on battery/main breaker off], DFing some, > and I've searched down to 100 kHz and don't find it. My P3 is in fixed > tune mode so the noise display remains constant on the screen as I tune > across it. Then, I noticed that when I tune the K3, it disturbs the > steady back and forth, creating a much finer rope-like pattern. It is > totally repeatable, and happens on both the lower and upper signals. > Tuning either direction does the same thing. When I stop tuning the Big > Knob, it reverts to the slow back and forth about once per second. > > Wondering if there's something amiss in my K3. It works normally in all > other respects, and these signals do not appear anywhere else up to 29.5 > MHz. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ae6lx at worldwidedx.com -- Owner, worldwidedx.com AE6LX, Amateur Radio From Lyn at LNAINC.com Tue Jul 20 18:43:17 2021 From: Lyn at LNAINC.com (Lyn Norstad) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:43:17 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 In-Reply-To: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> References: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> Message-ID: <056501d77db8$a2687c50$e73974f0$@LNAINC.com> Fred - What you describe sounds like signals I have seen here emanating from a medical facility about a mile away. It comes and goes, usually during normal working hours but sometimes on weekends. I believe there are still some diagnostic machines in broad use that will produce signals like that. Play detective, and check out anything within a mile or two. Some of these machines, especially older ones, put out a pretty bodacious signal. Most are higher frequency, but there are still some in use that could produce exactly what you're seeing. 73 Lyn, W0LEN -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 4:36 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 1. Is this list still active? Seems like ages since I've seen any activity. Wonder if foothill.net has it blocked? 2. I have a strange noise on 80. It consists of what appears on the P3 to be two slightly fuzzy carriers about 3 kHz apart, about S5-6. Sometimes that's all there is, but much of the time, the signal slides back and forth between them forming a rope-like pattern. The pattern is repeated about 25 kHz lower, and both are synchronized. The lower pair is centered on 3518, the upper pair on 3542. I've done all the usual [K3 on battery/main breaker off], DFing some, and I've searched down to 100 kHz and don't find it. My P3 is in fixed tune mode so the noise display remains constant on the screen as I tune across it. Then, I noticed that when I tune the K3, it disturbs the steady back and forth, creating a much finer rope-like pattern. It is totally repeatable, and happens on both the lower and upper signals. Tuning either direction does the same thing. When I stop tuning the Big Knob, it reverts to the slow back and forth about once per second. Wondering if there's something amiss in my K3. It works normally in all other respects, and these signals do not appear anywhere else up to 29.5 MHz. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com From w6jhb at me.com Tue Jul 20 19:44:21 2021 From: w6jhb at me.com (James Bennett) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:44:21 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 In-Reply-To: <056501d77db8$a2687c50$e73974f0$@LNAINC.com> References: <1ef503d2-a51c-02c8-e69f-28a6ea34e387@foothill.net> <056501d77db8$a2687c50$e73974f0$@LNAINC.com> Message-ID: <7C773643-1E70-4392-81EF-1AE72CA4EEA6@me.com> Fred - can you get access to another receiver, preferably not another K3? If you can, then unplug your K3 and see if that signal is present on the other rig. Might help pinpoint if the signal is from within your rig or external. 73, Jim / K7TXA > On Jul 20, 2021, at 4:43 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: > > Fred - > > What you describe sounds like signals I have seen here emanating from a medical facility about a mile away. It comes and goes, usually during normal working hours but sometimes on weekends. > > I believe there are still some diagnostic machines in broad use that will produce signals like that. > > Play detective, and check out anything within a mile or two. Some of these machines, especially older ones, put out a pretty bodacious signal. Most are higher frequency, but there are still some in use that could produce exactly what you're seeing. > > 73 > Lyn, W0LEN > > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen > Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2021 4:36 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: [Elecraft] Weird signal on 80m on K3 S/N 642 > > 1. Is this list still active? Seems like ages since I've seen any > activity. Wonder if foothill.net has it blocked? > > 2. I have a strange noise on 80. It consists of what appears on the P3 > to be two slightly fuzzy carriers about 3 kHz apart, about S5-6. > Sometimes that's all there is, but much of the time, the signal slides > back and forth between them forming a rope-like pattern. The pattern is > repeated about 25 kHz lower, and both are synchronized. The lower pair > is centered on 3518, the upper pair on 3542. > > I've done all the usual [K3 on battery/main breaker off], DFing some, > and I've searched down to 100 kHz and don't find it. My P3 is in fixed > tune mode so the noise display remains constant on the screen as I tune > across it. Then, I noticed that when I tune the K3, it disturbs the > steady back and forth, creating a much finer rope-like pattern. It is > totally repeatable, and happens on both the lower and upper signals. > Tuning either direction does the same thing. When I stop tuning the Big > Knob, it reverts to the slow back and forth about once per second. > > Wondering if there's something amiss in my K3. It works normally in all > other respects, and these signals do not appear anywhere else up to 29.5 > MHz. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to lyn at lnainc.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w6jhb at me.com From 99sunset at gmail.com Tue Jul 20 20:46:30 2021 From: 99sunset at gmail.com (Steve Hall) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 20:46:30 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net 7-18 Message-ID: Very poor propagation. 20% of the users using a K4! WM6P STEVE GA K3S NET CONTROL WY3T TIM FL K3S KB9AVO PAUL IN K4 76 K8NU CARL OH FTDX101 W9EJB ED IN K3 WB9JNZ ERIC IL FT990 N8VZ CARL OH K4 138 AB0R DAVE MN K3 From jerry at tr2.com Tue Jul 20 21:51:08 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 18:51:08 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> Message-ID: <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> On 2021-07-18 19:50, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. *** I wonder how hard it would be to add instead a much lighter lithium-ion battery pack? Individual 18650 cells are now routine at 2.5A-H, and available up to 3.5A-H. The technology has gotten standardized, and you can buy a BMS ( Battery Management System ) card off the shelf. The only hard thing is spot welding the tabs. A 3S1P ( three cells in series, 1 in parallel ) pack would probably do fine. I just got back from the garage where I repaired such a pack. It was out of an 85W cordless vacuum cleaner. Just four cells. Like any battery, the voltage varies with charge. These cells are about 4.2V fully charged, and 3.4 when dead. For three cells, that would be 12.8V fully charged, and 10.2 when it's time to recharge. I got all set up to weld the cell tabs for an ebike project. The ratio of energy storage to battery weight is much better than lead-acid. - Jerry KF6VB From k5cm-2 at suddenlink.net Wed Jul 21 00:51:25 2021 From: k5cm-2 at suddenlink.net (Connie Marshall) Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 23:51:25 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload In-Reply-To: <71239771-f03b-138f-fa4f-2d16ef964a3c@gmail.com> References: <71239771-f03b-138f-fa4f-2d16ef964a3c@gmail.com> Message-ID: Dave... thanks so much. The sensitivity returned when I did the J66 jumper test. So looks like PIN diode D5 needs to be replaced. Looks like I can order from Mouser. Will do some digging and see if I can find the "more robust version". 73, Connie / K5CM On 7/19/2021 12:08 AM, David Hachadorian wrote: > Try this: > https://marc.info/?l=elecraft&m=145323127930319&w=2 > > Unfortunately, the link near the bottom for the more robust > replacement part doesn't work anymore, but maybe someone can come up > with the part number.? I've got a bunch of them at home, but I'm on > vacation.? The robust replacement is slightly larger in size, but it > will still fit on the solder pads if you are careful. > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Big Bear Lake, CA > > > > On 7/18/2021 9:34 PM, Connie Marshall wrote: >> While operating SO2R the 'HIGH RF" warning flashed on the K3 display. >> Before I could react and stop the transmission on the other radio the >> front end got zapped. The radio is down about 50 db on RX. I checked >> Ant 2 and RX antenna and the same problem so probably not the surge >> protectors on each of these inputs. Any ideas on what part goes out >> when this happens. The TX radio was on 20 meters and the RX radio was >> on 15 meters. >> >> Connie / K5CM >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com > > -- > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Yuma, AZ From louandzip at yahoo.com Wed Jul 21 08:38:50 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:38:50 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> Message-ID: <1470782333.694123.1626871130010@mail.yahoo.com> There is a protected Li-Ion pack for the K2 available. With Lio-Ion, proper battery management is essential. https://www.batteryspace.com/custom-lifepo4-18650-battery-12-8v-4500-mah-57-6wh-7a-rate-w-pcb-and-connector.aspx I briefly looked at putting together a LiFePO4 pack for the K2, but haven't yet done anything with that idea.? LiFePO4 is more forgiving and more lead-acid-like in its care a feeding.? Lower energy density than Li-Ion, but still much better than lead-acid. Lou W7HV On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7:52:06 PM MDT, jerry wrote: On 2021-07-18 19:50, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. *** I wonder how hard it would be to add instead a much lighter lithium-ion battery pack?? Individual 18650 cells are now routine at 2.5A-H, and available up to 3.5A-H.? The technology has gotten standardized, and you can buy a BMS ( Battery Management System ) card off the shelf.? The only hard thing is spot welding the tabs. A 3S1P ( three cells in series, 1 in parallel ) pack would probably do fine. ? I just got back from the garage where I repaired such a pack.? It was out of an 85W cordless vacuum cleaner.? Just four cells. ? ? Like any battery, the voltage varies with charge.? These cells are about 4.2V fully charged, and 3.4 when dead.? For three cells, that would be 12.8V fully charged, and 10.2 when it's time to recharge. ? ? I got all set up to weld the cell tabs for an ebike project.? The ratio of energy storage to battery weight is much better than lead-acid. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Wed Jul 21 08:40:22 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:40:22 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <1470782333.694123.1626871130010@mail.yahoo.com> References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> <1470782333.694123.1626871130010@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1699283792.792859.1626871222142@mail.yahoo.com> Oops.? That commercial pack is LiFePO4, not Li-Ion.? Doh. W7HV. On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 6:38:50 AM MDT, Louandzip wrote: There is a protected Li-Ion pack for the K2 available. With Lio-Ion, proper battery management is essential. https://www.batteryspace.com/custom-lifepo4-18650-battery-12-8v-4500-mah-57-6wh-7a-rate-w-pcb-and-connector.aspx I briefly looked at putting together a LiFePO4 pack for the K2, but haven't yet done anything with that idea.? LiFePO4 is more forgiving and more lead-acid-like in its care a feeding.? Lower energy density than Li-Ion, but still much better than lead-acid. Lou W7HV On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7:52:06 PM MDT, jerry wrote: On 2021-07-18 19:50, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. *** I wonder how hard it would be to add instead a much lighter lithium-ion battery pack?? Individual 18650 cells are now routine at 2.5A-H, and available up to 3.5A-H.? The technology has gotten standardized, and you can buy a BMS ( Battery Management System ) card off the shelf.? The only hard thing is spot welding the tabs. A 3S1P ( three cells in series, 1 in parallel ) pack would probably do fine. ? I just got back from the garage where I repaired such a pack.? It was out of an 85W cordless vacuum cleaner.? Just four cells. ? ? Like any battery, the voltage varies with charge.? These cells are about 4.2V fully charged, and 3.4 when dead.? For three cells, that would be 12.8V fully charged, and 10.2 when it's time to recharge. ? ? I got all set up to weld the cell tabs for an ebike project.? The ratio of energy storage to battery weight is much better than lead-acid. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From n8sbe at arrl.net Wed Jul 21 08:59:47 2021 From: n8sbe at arrl.net (Dave New) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 07:59:47 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net 7-18 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20210721075947.Horde.bPl_bDtWTkTw2hZiJl8diLy@www14.qth.com> Steve, That last call looks suspicious, as I checked in as Dave, N8SBE from Ann Arbor, MI on my K3s Eric had to relay for me, as I couldn't hear anyone else except Eric, who was 10-20 over S9 at my location. I did hear Steve, WM6P from time to time, just above my noise floor. Otherwise, 40M was just wiped out. On the other hand, early Monday evening ET, 40M was packed with signals.? I guess it will be up and down like this while we transition into Cycle 25. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE Quoting Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com>: > Very poor propagation.? 20% of the users using a K4! > > WM6P STEVE GA K3S NET CONTROL > WY3T TIM FL K3S > KB9AVO PAUL IN K4 76 > K8NU CARL OH FTDX101 > W9EJB ED IN K3 > WB9JNZ ERIC IL FT990 > N8VZ CARL OH K4 138 > AB0R DAVE MN K3 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: > http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to n8sbe at arrl.net From alorona at sbcglobal.net Wed Jul 21 09:26:50 2021 From: alorona at sbcglobal.net (Al Lorona) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 13:26:50 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> Message-ID: <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press lists no less than ten "emulation options", or keyer timing modes. They are numbered "V0" through "V9", including three different Curtis A modes, three Accukeyer modes, and others. "V0" is the best timing I've ever used on a keyer. I don't know whether it's A, B, or other, but it's accurate, smooth, and feels right. Al? W6LX/4 From jerry at tr2.com Wed Jul 21 10:01:23 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 07:01:23 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On 2021-07-21 06:26, Al Lorona wrote: > The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press Sounds like a neat keyer. Alas, it seems to be no longer available. The website intimates that production ceased in 2015. - Jerry KF6VB From k2vco.vic at gmail.com Wed Jul 21 10:15:36 2021 From: k2vco.vic at gmail.com (Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:15:36 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <62f2e674-9577-f52e-cbd7-ed84aa84da4e@gmail.com> It's a version of mode b with slightly different timing. It is easier to send with fewer mistakes than the usual mode b. I got addicted to it and had a hard time when I changed to the mode b in the WinKey. 73, Victor, 4X6GP Rehovot, Israel Formerly K2VCO CWops no. 5 http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ . On 21-Jul-2021 16:26, Al Lorona wrote: > The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press lists no less than ten "emulation > options", or keyer timing modes. They are numbered "V0" through "V9", > including three different Curtis A modes, three Accukeyer modes, and > others. "V0" is the best timing I've ever used on a keyer. I don't > know whether it's A, B, or other, but it's accurate, smooth, and > feels right. > > Al W6LX/4 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list Home: > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: > http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: > mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this > email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > k2vco.vic at gmail.com > From jim at n7us.net Wed Jul 21 10:31:19 2021 From: jim at n7us.net (Jim McDonald) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:31:19 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I also prefer the K-5 to the Winkeyer, and I use the V0 timing too. The K-5 is no longer available but the CMOS 4 keyer has the same features except it has only four memories instead of six and is smaller. I have both. https://www.hamsupply.com/cmos-4-keyer/ 73, Jim N7US -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of jerry Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 09:01 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? On 2021-07-21 06:26, Al Lorona wrote: > The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press Sounds like a neat keyer. Alas, it seems to be no longer available. The website intimates that production ceased in 2015. - Jerry KF6VB From ak5x at me.com Wed Jul 21 10:33:08 2021 From: ak5x at me.com (William Hammond) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 09:33:08 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: The model CMOS-4 is still available just two less memories: https://www.hamsupply.com/cmos-4-keyer/ 73, Bill-AK5X > On Jul 21, 2021, at 9:01 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2021-07-21 06:26, Al Lorona wrote: >> The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press > > Sounds like a neat keyer. Alas, it seems to be no longer available. > The website intimates that production ceased in 2015. > > - Jerry KF6VB > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ak5x at me.com From k6ll.dave at gmail.com Wed Jul 21 10:32:27 2021 From: k6ll.dave at gmail.com (David Hachadorian) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 07:32:27 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Front end RF overload In-Reply-To: References: <71239771-f03b-138f-fa4f-2d16ef964a3c@gmail.com> Message-ID: <28ef1a2b-96cc-2388-c516-f7d864808aa8@gmail.com> Dale Farnsworth (call sign unknown) posted on Monday that the Mouser part number for the more robust version is 771-BAP64-04-T/R .? Maybe you missed it.? Mouser has over 4000 in stock at a price of $0.38, or 10 for $3.10. Glad you found the problem.? It's a relatively easy fix. Dave Hachadorian Big Bear Lake, CA On 7/20/2021 9:51 PM, Connie Marshall wrote: > > Dave... thanks so much. The sensitivity returned when I did the J66 > jumper test. So looks like PIN diode D5 needs to be replaced. Looks > like I can order from Mouser. Will do some digging and see if I can > find the "more robust version". > > 73, Connie / K5CM > > On 7/19/2021 12:08 AM, David Hachadorian wrote: >> Try this: >> https://marc.info/?l=elecraft&m=145323127930319&w=2 >> >> Unfortunately, the link near the bottom for the more robust >> replacement part doesn't work anymore, but maybe someone can come up >> with the part number.? I've got a bunch of them at home, but I'm on >> vacation.? The robust replacement is slightly larger in size, but it >> will still fit on the solder pads if you are careful. >> >> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL >> Big Bear Lake, CA >> >> >> >> On 7/18/2021 9:34 PM, Connie Marshall wrote: >>> While operating SO2R the 'HIGH RF" warning flashed on the K3 >>> display. Before I could react and stop the transmission on the other >>> radio the front end got zapped. The radio is down about 50 db on RX. >>> I checked Ant 2 and RX antenna and the same problem so probably not >>> the surge protectors on each of these inputs. Any ideas on what part >>> goes out when this happens. The TX radio was on 20 meters and the RX >>> radio was on 15 meters. >>> >>> Connie / K5CM >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com >> >> -- >> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL >> Yuma, AZ -- Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ From jerry at tr2.com Wed Jul 21 12:20:24 2021 From: jerry at tr2.com (jerry) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 09:20:24 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <1699283792.792859.1626871222142@mail.yahoo.com> References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> <1470782333.694123.1626871130010@mail.yahoo.com> <1699283792.792859.1626871222142@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Li-Ion is not hard to manage. With a standard BMS, all you need is a voltage-regulated and current-limited wall wart - quite routine nowadays. - Jerry KF6VB On 2021-07-21 05:40, Louandzip via Elecraft wrote: > Oops.? That commercial pack is LiFePO4, not Li-Ion.? Doh. > W7HV. > > On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 6:38:50 AM MDT, Louandzip > wrote: > > There is a protected Li-Ion pack for the K2 available. With Lio-Ion, > proper battery management is essential. > > https://www.batteryspace.com/custom-lifepo4-18650-battery-12-8v-4500-mah-57-6wh-7a-rate-w-pcb-and-connector.aspx > I briefly looked at putting together a LiFePO4 pack for the K2, but > haven't yet done anything with that idea.? LiFePO4 is more forgiving > and more lead-acid-like in its care a feeding.? Lower energy density > than Li-Ion, but still much better than lead-acid. > > Lou W7HV > > > > > On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7:52:06 PM MDT, jerry > wrote: > > On 2021-07-18 19:50, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > >> Next step, adding the the immensely heavy internal lead-acid battery. > > *** I wonder how hard it would be to add instead a much lighter > lithium-ion > battery pack?? Individual 18650 cells are now routine at 2.5A-H, and > available up > to 3.5A-H.? The technology has gotten standardized, and you can buy a > BMS ( Battery > Management System ) card off the shelf.? The only hard thing is spot > welding the tabs. > A 3S1P ( three cells in series, 1 in parallel ) pack would probably do > fine. > > ? I just got back from the garage where I repaired such a pack.? It was > out of an 85W > cordless vacuum cleaner.? Just four cells. > > ? ? Like any battery, the voltage varies with charge.? These cells are > about 4.2V fully > charged, and 3.4 when dead.? For three cells, that would be 12.8V fully > charged, and 10.2 > when it's time to recharge. > > ? ? I got all set up to weld the cell tabs for an ebike project.? The > ratio of energy storage to battery weight is much better than > lead-acid. > > > ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jerry at tr2.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Wed Jul 21 12:25:40 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:25:40 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? In-Reply-To: References: <9862164F-8044-432F-8382-5A7945C31F81@arrl.net> <1956477297.1279762.1626874010695@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1315017069.845144.1626884741007@mail.yahoo.com> I've been using a CMOS4 with V0 emulation across all my rigs (when in the shack) for 20 years now.? I've always liked it and send better with it than most other keyers or rig's keyers, though lately some rig's keyers seem very similar.? Does anybody happen to know where I might find details of the input timing between the various emulation modes? I'm not looking for an explanation of iambic a vs b etc, but rather the specific timing differences in response to paddle contact closures that differentiate between keyers using the same mode. Lou W7HV On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 8:35:55 AM MDT, William Hammond via Elecraft wrote: The model CMOS-4 is still available just two less memories: https://www.hamsupply.com/cmos-4-keyer/ 73, Bill-AK5X > On Jul 21, 2021, at 9:01 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2021-07-21 06:26, Al Lorona wrote: >> The Logikey keyer by Idiom Press > > Sounds like a neat keyer.? Alas, it seems to be no longer available. > The website intimates that production ceased in 2015. > >? ? ? ? ? ? - Jerry KF6VB > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ak5x at me.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Wed Jul 21 12:31:23 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:31:23 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: References: <03F824C1-3A0A-4FF2-BF66-802A1B085A6E@me.com> <39b4b9355031fdbbe9cbb00f0605bf82@tr2.com> <1470782333.694123.1626871130010@mail.yahoo.com> <1699283792.792859.1626871222142@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1574301406.845079.1626885083781@mail.yahoo.com> >>>On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 10:21:30 AM MDT, jerry wrote: >>>Li-Ion is not hard to manage.? With a standard BMS, all you need is a >>>voltage-regulated and current-limited wall wart - quite routine nowadays. ? - Jerry KF6VB Agree, but the consequences of mismanagement can be more, uh, consequential.? If not for their easier management and fewer hazards, what's the point of much lower energy density LiFePO4 batteries? Lou W7HV From frantz at pwpconsult.com Wed Jul 21 12:45:51 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 09:45:51 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Li-ion vs. LiFePO4 was Re: K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <1574301406.845079.1626885083781@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: LiFePO4 has several other advantages, besides not swelling during charge. (Swelling is what caused fires in early devices in places like airplanes. They contained the battery with no room for expansion resulting in burst cases and exposed lithium.) The other ones that come to my mind are: Cold weather performance. (My winter FD LiFePO4 was reliable at -15C (5F), unlike my Li-ion laptop.) Low self-discharge. Voltage compatibility with "12V" systems. There are probably others. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/21/21 at 9:31 AM, elecraft at mailman.qth.net (Louandzip via Elecraft) wrote: >Agree, but the consequences of mismanagement can be more, uh, >consequential.? If not for their easier management and fewer >hazards, what's the point of much lower energy density LiFePO4 batteries? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz |Security, like correctness, is| Periwinkle (408)348-7900 |not an add-on feature. - Attr-| 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com |ibuted to Andrew Tanenbaum | Peterborough, NH 03458 From rmdewan at gmail.com Wed Jul 21 13:39:37 2021 From: rmdewan at gmail.com (Rajiv Dewan) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 13:39:37 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Li-ion vs. LiFePO4 was Re: K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Another advantage: 2 to 4 times as many charge-discharge cycles. Raj N2RD ? Sent from my mobile Rajiv Dewan rmdewan at gmail.com > On Jul 21, 2021, at 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: > > ?LiFePO4 has several other advantages, besides not swelling during charge. (Swelling is what caused fires in early devices in places like airplanes. They contained the battery with no room for expansion resulting in burst cases and exposed lithium.) The other ones that come to my mind are: > > Cold weather performance. (My winter FD LiFePO4 was reliable at -15C (5F), unlike my Li-ion laptop.) > > Low self-discharge. > > Voltage compatibility with "12V" systems. > > There are probably others. > > 73 Bill AE6JV > >> On 7/21/21 at 9:31 AM, elecraft at mailman.qth.net (Louandzip via Elecraft) wrote: >> >> Agree, but the consequences of mismanagement can be more, uh, consequential. If not for their easier management and fewer hazards, what's the point of much lower energy density LiFePO4 batteries? > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Bill Frantz |Security, like correctness, is| Periwinkle > (408)348-7900 |not an add-on feature. - Attr-| 150 Rivermead Rd #235 > www.pwpconsult.com |ibuted to Andrew Tanenbaum | Peterborough, NH 03458 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rmdewan at gmail.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Wed Jul 21 14:31:59 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:31:59 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Li-ion vs. LiFePO4 was Re: K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <675125048.773927.1626892319183@mail.yahoo.com> Certainly there are pros and cons.? Here a list of some of them.? Everybody will weight these differently in deciding what to use. - Highest energy density: lithium-ion - Good energy density and lifecycle: lithium iron phosphate - Stable chemical and thermal chemistry: lithium iron phosphate - No thermal runaway and safe when fully charged: lithium iron phosphate - Portability and lightweight characteristics: lithium-ion - Long life: lithium iron phosphate and lithium-ion - Low costs: lithium iron phosphate . Lou W7HV On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 11:41:35 AM MDT, Rajiv Dewan wrote: Another advantage: 2 to 4 times as many charge-discharge cycles. Raj N2RD ? Sent from my mobile Rajiv Dewan rmdewan at gmail.com > On Jul 21, 2021, at 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: > > ?LiFePO4 has several other advantages, besides not swelling during charge. (Swelling is what caused fires in early devices in places like airplanes. They contained the battery with no room for expansion resulting in burst cases and exposed lithium.) The other ones that come to my mind are: > > Cold weather performance. (My winter FD LiFePO4 was reliable at -15C (5F), unlike my Li-ion laptop.) > > Low self-discharge. > > Voltage compatibility with "12V" systems. > > There are probably others. > > 73 Bill AE6JV > >> On 7/21/21 at 9:31 AM, elecraft at mailman.qth.net (Louandzip via Elecraft) wrote: >> >> Agree, but the consequences of mismanagement can be more, uh, consequential.? If not for their easier management and fewer hazards, what's the point of much lower energy density LiFePO4 batteries? > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > Bill Frantz? ? ? ? |Security, like correctness, is| Periwinkle > (408)348-7900? ? ? |not an add-on feature. - Attr-| 150 Rivermead Rd #235 > www.pwpconsult.com |ibuted to Andrew Tanenbaum? ? | Peterborough, NH 03458 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rmdewan at gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From radio at disseminator.net Wed Jul 21 16:46:56 2021 From: radio at disseminator.net (Dave Erickson) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 15:46:56 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net 7-18 In-Reply-To: <20210721075947.Horde.bPl_bDtWTkTw2hZiJl8diLy@www14.qth.com> References: <20210721075947.Horde.bPl_bDtWTkTw2hZiJl8diLy@www14.qth.com> Message-ID: On 7/21/2021 7:59 AM, Dave New wrote: > ?Steve, > > That last call looks suspicious, as I checked in as Dave, N8SBE from Ann > Arbor, MI on my K3s > Eric had to relay for me, as I couldn't hear anyone else except Eric, > who was 10-20 over S9 at my location. > > I did hear Steve, WM6P from time to time, just above my noise floor. > > Otherwise, 40M was just wiped out. > > On the other hand, early Monday evening ET, 40M was packed with > signals.? I guess it will be up and down like this while we transition > into Cycle 25. > > 73, > > -- Dave, N8SBE > > Quoting Steve Hall <99sunset at gmail.com>: > >> Very poor propagation.? 20% of the users using a K4! >> >> WM6P STEVE GA K3S NET CONTROL >> WY3T TIM FL K3S >> KB9AVO PAUL IN K4 76 >> K8NU CARL OH FTDX101 >> W9EJB ED IN K3 >> WB9JNZ ERIC IL FT990 >> N8VZ CARL OH K4 138 >> AB0R DAVE MN K3 I've been called many things..... and now: suspicious! jk, but band conditions were TOUGH on 40. -- Dave Erickson AB0R 73 From rcrgs at verizon.net Wed Jul 21 18:33:23 2021 From: rcrgs at verizon.net (Robert G Strickland) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:33:23 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Li-ion vs. LiFePO4 was Re: K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <675125048.773927.1626892319183@mail.yahoo.com> References: <675125048.773927.1626892319183@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <60F8A0B3.3060509@verizon.net> That list looks to be pretty much in favor of LiFePo4. Highest energy density is only one factor; overall practical use I would judge to be more important, and safe. ...robert KE2WY On 21 Jul 2021 18:31, Louandzip via Elecraft wrote: > Certainly there are pros and cons. Here a list of some of them. Everybody will weight these differently in deciding what to use. > > - Highest energy density: lithium-ion > - Good energy density and lifecycle: lithium iron phosphate > - Stable chemical and thermal chemistry: lithium iron phosphate > - No thermal runaway and safe when fully charged: lithium iron phosphate > - Portability and lightweight characteristics: lithium-ion > - Long life: lithium iron phosphate and lithium-ion > - Low costs: lithium iron phosphate > . > Lou W7HV > > On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 11:41:35 AM MDT, Rajiv Dewan wrote: > > Another advantage: 2 to 4 times as many charge-discharge cycles. > > Raj N2RD > > ? Sent from my mobile > Rajiv Dewan > rmdewan at gmail.com > >> On Jul 21, 2021, at 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: >> >> ?LiFePO4 has several other advantages, besides not swelling during charge. (Swelling is what caused fires in early devices in places like airplanes. They contained the battery with no room for expansion resulting in burst cases and exposed lithium.) The other ones that come to my mind are: >> >> Cold weather performance. (My winter FD LiFePO4 was reliable at -15C (5F), unlike my Li-ion laptop.) >> >> Low self-discharge. >> >> Voltage compatibility with "12V" systems. >> >> There are probably others. >> >> 73 Bill AE6JV >> >>> On 7/21/21 at 9:31 AM, elecraft at mailman.qth.net (Louandzip via Elecraft) wrote: >>> >>> Agree, but the consequences of mismanagement can be more, uh, consequential. If not for their easier management and fewer hazards, what's the point of much lower energy density LiFePO4 batteries? >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Bill Frantz |Security, like correctness, is| Periwinkle >> (408)348-7900 |not an add-on feature. - Attr-| 150 Rivermead Rd #235 >> www.pwpconsult.com |ibuted to Andrew Tanenbaum | Peterborough, NH 03458 >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to rmdewan at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rcrgs at verizon.net > -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rcrgs at verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Wed Jul 21 19:01:01 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 16:01:01 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Li-ion vs. LiFePO4 was Re: K2 alive again, yay! In-Reply-To: <60F8A0B3.3060509@verizon.net> References: <675125048.773927.1626892319183@mail.yahoo.com> <60F8A0B3.3060509@verizon.net> Message-ID: On 7/21/2021 3:33 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: > That list looks to be pretty much in favor of LiFePo4. Highest energy > density is only one factor; overall practical use I would judge to be > more important, and safe. This view has been widely accepted, and LiFePO4 is the de facto standard for replacement of other nominal 12V chemistries. Bioenno Power sells a wide range of battery packs, and is very ham friendly. Pre-COVID, they have exhibited at ham conventions. Last I heard, they are being marketed by Ham Radio Outlet. I own two of their 20Ah packs for portable use, and one of their 100Ah packs has been running the two K3s on my operating desk for almost five years. With ANY Li chemistry, including this one, it is critical that they be charged using a proper charge regulator. I'm using a Genasun solar regulator with a re-purposed Thinkpad PSU. Genasun regulators are RF-quiet. 73, Jim K9YC From w1rm at comcast.net Wed Jul 21 20:59:55 2021 From: w1rm at comcast.net (w1rm at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:59:55 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KIO3B Board Message-ID: <000001d77e94$e33ffc80$a9bff580$@comcast.net> Is there a way to test this board? I suspect mine has bitten the dust because it's no longer sending frequency data via cat line to my amp. Pete Chamalian, W1RM W1rm at comcast.net From jasimmons at pinewooddata.com Wed Jul 21 21:12:35 2021 From: jasimmons at pinewooddata.com (John Simmons) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:12:35 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KIO3B Board In-Reply-To: <000001d77e94$e33ffc80$a9bff580$@comcast.net> References: <000001d77e94$e33ffc80$a9bff580$@comcast.net> Message-ID: <13e8b85e-1625-aa77-9cf8-fc6ac590d4c3@pinewooddata.com> Pete, You might try one of these: https://www.amazon.com/CableMax-RS-232-link-Tester-Female/dp/B004OT995U/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=serial+port+tester&qid=1626916237&sr=8-3 It will tell you if the serial output of the KIO3B is working. 73, -de John NI0K rural Debs, MN w1rm at comcast.net wrote on 7/21/2021 7:59 PM: > Is there a way to test this board? I suspect mine has bitten the dust > because it's no longer sending frequency data via cat line to my amp. > > > > > > Pete Chamalian, W1RM > > W1rm at comcast.net > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jasimmons at pinewooddata.com From peder.kittelson at gmail.com Wed Jul 21 22:18:48 2021 From: peder.kittelson at gmail.com (Peder Kittelson) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:18:48 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses Message-ID: I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are appropriate for the equipment they protect. I realize there are internal fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external fuses as well. I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage ratings of fuses for my equipment or equipment in general. I would appreciate your recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: 1. Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. 2. Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. 3. Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. One other important question. I have conquered much of the RFI in my radio room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound around toroids. In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the K3s. I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the extended toroid wiring. How can I best gauge what the K3s receives in this setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and recommended 5' power cable. I have not had any problems (that I know of). I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, so is there a simple way to be reasonably sure? 73 and thanks for your help, W7RPK, Peder From dave at nk7z.net Wed Jul 21 22:43:17 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:43:17 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> Hi, I am unsure what you are asking... If you are asking about fuse values, I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect. For my K3 I use a 30 amp fuse. If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 sees, there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), which will show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and wiring. I always take my voltage readings at full output. I try and stay within the limits Elecraft sets for voltage. If I am running low voltage on transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below the max voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at full power. The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if something happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the radio is probably already broken. I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground. I place the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/21/21 7:18 PM, Peder Kittelson wrote: > I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive > and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. > I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are > appropriate for the equipment they protect. I realize there are internal > fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external > fuses as well. > > I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage ratings of > fuses for my equipment or equipment in general. I would appreciate your > recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. > > Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: > > 1. Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on > transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. > > 2. Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. > > 3. Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. > > One other important question. I have conquered much of the RFI in my radio > room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound > around toroids. In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the > K3s. I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the > extended toroid wiring. How can I best gauge what the K3s receives in this > setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts > minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and > recommended 5' power cable. I have not had any problems (that I know of). > > I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, so is > there a simple way to be reasonably sure? > > 73 and thanks for your help, > > W7RPK, Peder > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > From don at w3fpr.com Wed Jul 21 23:35:45 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 23:35:45 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> References: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> Message-ID: Dave and all, Placing the fuse near the power supply end is the way to do it. In the event of a short, the power wire can spew metal and start a fire. Always fuse near the power supply.? A fuse at the equipment end will only protect the equipment, but will expose the wire from the power supply to hazards. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/21/2021 10:43 PM, Dave wrote: > Hi, > > I am unsure what you are asking...? If you are asking about fuse > values, I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect.? > For my K3 I use a 30 amp fuse. > > If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 > sees, there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), > which will show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and > wiring. > > I always take my voltage readings at full output.? I try and stay > within the limits Elecraft sets for voltage.? If I am running low > voltage on transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below > the max voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at > full power. > > The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if > something happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the > radio is probably already broken. > > I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), > on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground.? I place > the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. > From dave at nk7z.net Thu Jul 22 00:51:10 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 21:51:10 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: References: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> Message-ID: <985f5294-6a2a-e965-969b-87b470559545@nk7z.net> Same for auto installs... I see far too many fuses at the radio end of things... Short in the power wiring, turns into your auto burning itself down, as that long run of power cable burns up. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/21/21 8:35 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Dave and all, > > Placing the fuse near the power supply end is the way to do it. > In the event of a short, the power wire can spew metal and start a fire. > Always fuse near the power supply.? A fuse at the equipment end will > only protect the equipment, but will expose the wire from the power > supply to hazards. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/21/2021 10:43 PM, Dave wrote: >> Hi, >> >> I am unsure what you are asking...? If you are asking about fuse >> values, I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect. For >> my K3 I use a 30 amp fuse. >> >> If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 >> sees, there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), >> which will show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and >> wiring. >> >> I always take my voltage readings at full output.? I try and stay >> within the limits Elecraft sets for voltage.? If I am running low >> voltage on transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below >> the max voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at >> full power. >> >> The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if >> something happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the >> radio is probably already broken. >> >> I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), >> on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground.? I place >> the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net From wa6vab at gmail.com Thu Jul 22 01:31:52 2021 From: wa6vab at gmail.com (Ray) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:31:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> References: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> Message-ID: <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> 30 Amp --- A little too High for me ! I would use 25 Amp. WA6VAB Ray K3 From: Dave Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 7:43 PM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses Hi, I am unsure what you are asking... If you are asking about fuse values, I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect. For my K3 I use a 30 amp fuse. If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 sees, there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), which will show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and wiring. I always take my voltage readings at full output. I try and stay within the limits Elecraft sets for voltage. If I am running low voltage on transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below the max voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at full power. The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if something happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the radio is probably already broken. I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground. I place the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/21/21 7:18 PM, Peder Kittelson wrote: > I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive > and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. > I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are > appropriate for the equipment they protect. I realize there are internal > fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external > fuses as well. > > I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage ratings of > fuses for my equipment or equipment in general. I would appreciate your > recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. > > Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: > > 1. Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on > transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. > > 2. Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. > > 3. Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. > > One other important question. I have conquered much of the RFI in my radio > room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound > around toroids. In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the > K3s. I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the > extended toroid wiring. How can I best gauge what the K3s receives in this > setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts > minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and > recommended 5' power cable. I have not had any problems (that I know of). > > I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, so is > there a simple way to be reasonably sure? > > 73 and thanks for your help, > > W7RPK, Peder > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com From rick.nk7i at gmail.com Thu Jul 22 01:49:33 2021 From: rick.nk7i at gmail.com (Rick NK7I) Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:49:33 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> References: <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <37554B13-5049-4D17-A8DD-AAD1FB966B5F@gmail.com> 25 amp fusing isn?t a lot over overhead for a K3 with KRX3, KIO3a, P3 with the SVGA board and the PR6-10 preamp in play. It all adds up. Use what is appropriate for your rig combination. 73, Rick NK7I Email spiel Czech corruptions happen > On Jul 21, 2021, at 10:33 PM, Ray wrote: > > ?30 Amp --- A little too High for me ! > I would use 25 Amp. > WA6VAB Ray K3 > > > From: Dave > Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 7:43 PM > To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses > > Hi, > > I am unsure what you are asking... If you are asking about fuse values, > I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect. For my K3 I > use a 30 amp fuse. > > If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 sees, > there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), which will > show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and wiring. > > I always take my voltage readings at full output. I try and stay within > the limits Elecraft sets for voltage. If I am running low voltage on > transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below the max > voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at full power. > > The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if something > happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the radio is > probably already broken. > > I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), > on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground. I place > the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. > > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > >> On 7/21/21 7:18 PM, Peder Kittelson wrote: >> I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive >> and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. >> I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are >> appropriate for the equipment they protect. I realize there are internal >> fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external >> fuses as well. >> >> I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage ratings of >> fuses for my equipment or equipment in general. I would appreciate your >> recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. >> >> Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: >> >> 1. Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on >> transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. >> >> 2. Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. >> >> 3. Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. >> >> One other important question. I have conquered much of the RFI in my radio >> room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound >> around toroids. In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the >> K3s. I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the >> extended toroid wiring. How can I best gauge what the K3s receives in this >> setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts >> minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and >> recommended 5' power cable. I have not had any problems (that I know of). >> >> I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, so is >> there a simple way to be reasonably sure? >> >> 73 and thanks for your help, >> >> W7RPK, Peder >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rick.nk7i at gmail.com From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Thu Jul 22 05:03:00 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 02:03:00 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: <37554B13-5049-4D17-A8DD-AAD1FB966B5F@gmail.com> References: <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> <37554B13-5049-4D17-A8DD-AAD1FB966B5F@gmail.com> Message-ID: On 7/21/2021 10:49 PM, Rick NK7I wrote: > 25 amp fusing isn?t a lot over overhead for a K3 with KRX3, KIO3a, P3 with the SVGA board and the PR6-10 preamp in play. A study of fuse (and breaker) specs is worthwhile. In general, fuses are rated by average current, with considerable allowance for spikes and surges above that. A standard fuse (not a Slo-Blo) will not blow on spikes 25% higher than it's nominal rating, and fuses have time responses. We want fuses and breakers to pop when something breaks, not when there's an unusual spike that doesn't persist. My most personal experience with fuses blowing on my gear has been with TenTec Titans that I ran for years. Generally quite reliable, but mains fuses would blow on crap on the AC line, not on equipment failure, which is what they are intended to prevent. Both sides of the line are fused, and if equal ratings, both will blow. I soon realized that a 20A fuse on one side and 30A on the other was a very good idea. 73, Jim K9YC From btippett at alum.mit.edu Thu Jul 22 06:11:38 2021 From: btippett at alum.mit.edu (Bill Tippett) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 06:11:38 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Nabble Message-ID: Down here also John (several days now). 73, Bill W4ZV From dougzzz at gmail.com Thu Jul 22 07:08:33 2021 From: dougzzz at gmail.com (Douglas Zwiebel) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:08:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/10 sold Message-ID: Thanks guys. de Doug KR2Q From dave at nk7z.net Thu Jul 22 09:25:45 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 06:25:45 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> References: <9c2cda99-c453-1a88-546d-75487866bcf9@nk7z.net> <60f902cb.1c69fb81.74de8.7bc6@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <6e7fe127-2ad7-173e-8cb4-2e0ce8e9698d@nk7z.net> Hi Ray, Are you currently using a 25 amp? If so, have you had any issues with that, and are you running P3/SVGA, etc? 25 amps seems quite close to the rated current draw of the K3. I believe the K3 can draw 22 amps on full power, and as Jim said, other items all add up. I also mentioned that the fuse is not there to protect the radio, but to stop other issues, and that I place the fuse as close to the PS as possible to protect the most part of my power wiring. So for me 30 amps, seems OK. If I get a PS short, a 30 amp fuse will blow almost as quickly as a 25 amp fuse, and that is what my main worries are, shorts caused by stupid mistakes on my part, or problems within the equipment connected to the radio. As I mentioned, if the fuse is blowing, and it is a result of radio current overdraw, chances are the radio is already broken. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/21/21 10:31 PM, Ray wrote: > 30 Amp?? --- A little too High for me ! > > I would use 25 Amp. > > WA6VAB? Ray? K3 > > *From: *Dave > *Sent: *Wednesday, July 21, 2021 7:43 PM > *To: *elecraft at mailman.qth.net > *Subject: *Re: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses > > Hi, > > I am unsure what you are asking...? If you are asking about fuse values, > > I select values a bit above the max peak current I expect.? For my K3 I > > use a 30 amp fuse. > > If you are asking about voltage drop, and want to know what the K3 sees, > > there is a built in volt meter in the K3, (see the manual), which will > > show you the voltage at the K3, after all your fusing, and wiring. > > I always take my voltage readings at full output.? I try and stay within > > the limits Elecraft sets for voltage.? If I am running low voltage on > > transmit, I goose the power supply slightly, staying below the max > > voltage rating Elecraft recommends when not transmitting at full power. > > The fuse(s) is/are probably not going to protect my radio-- if something > > happens, (i.e., current draw in excess of 30 amps), the radio is > > probably already broken. > > I use the fuse to reduce runaway thermal effects, (read that as fire), > > on my power supply wiring in the event of a short to ground.? I place > > the fuse(s) as close to the power supply as my wiring will allow. > > 73, and thanks, > > Dave (NK7Z) > > https://www.nk7z.net > > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > > On 7/21/21 7:18 PM, Peder Kittelson wrote: > > > I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive > > > and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. > > > I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are > > > appropriate for the equipment they protect.? I realize there are internal > > > fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external > > > fuses as well. > > > > > > I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage > ratings of > > > fuses for my equipment or equipment in general.? I would appreciate your > > > recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. > > > > > > Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: > > > > > > 1.? Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on > > > transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. > > > > > > 2.? Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. > > > > > > 3.? Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. > > > > > > One other important question.? I have conquered much of the RFI in my > radio > > > room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound > > > around toroids.? In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the > > > K3s.? I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the > > > extended toroid wiring.? How can I best gauge what the K3s receives > in this > > > setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts > > > minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and > > > recommended 5' power cable.? I have not had any problems (that I know > of). > > > > > > I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, > so is > > > there a simple way to be reasonably sure? > > > > > > 73 and thanks for your help, > > > > > > W7RPK, Peder > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > > Elecraft mailing list > > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to wa6vab at gmail.com > From rmcgraw at benlomand.net Thu Jul 22 09:27:10 2021 From: rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 08:27:10 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses Message-ID: With that power supply, which has both good over voltage protection and current limiting, adding fuses in the DC line will add resistance to the line.? Even being a small amount, it will affect voltage regulation from no load to rated load at the radio.??? For this reason I do not recommend adding fuses to the DC power cables. I agree that all 100 watt transceivers should have their DC power leads connected direct to the power supply terminals and not through any DC distribution device.??? As a rule, receive load to 100 watt CW/key closed transmit load, the voltage drop at the radio should be less than 0.5 volts. 73 Bob, K4TAX Message: 19 Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:18:48 -0700 From: Peder Kittelson To:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I have fused my Elecraft radio equipment with inline power pole positive and negative ATC car standard blade fuses. I am now doing an audit of the fuses in my system to make sure they are appropriate for the equipment they protect. I realize there are internal fuses in many cases, I prefer doubling my protection with inline external fuses as well. I have not read or heard anyone discuss the appropriate amperage ratings of fuses for my equipment or equipment in general. I would appreciate your recommendations on fuse sizes for these, as well as general approaches. Equipment and Specifications from Elecraft Manuals: 1. Elecraft K3s with 100 watt amp: Specs are 17-22 amps typical on transmit, recommended 25 amp power supply. 2. Elecraft KPA 500: Specs are PA Current 20 amp maximum. 3. Elecraft KX3: Specs are 1-2 amp typical current in transmit. One other important question. I have conquered much of the RFI in my radio room using power poles with extended thick Red and Black wiring wound around toroids. In this case the leads go from the Astron RS-35A to the K3s. I want to make sure there isn't too much drop in voltage over the extended toroid wiring. How can I best gauge what the K3s receives in this setup? The manual says it should receive 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts minimum and 15 volts maximum. I think I am beyond the provided and recommended 5' power cable. I have not had any problems (that I know of). I do not have a desk full of electronic devices for evaluating this, so is there a simple way to be reasonably sure? 73 and thanks for your help, W7RPK, Peder From w1rm at comcast.net Thu Jul 22 11:29:28 2021 From: w1rm at comcast.net (w1rm at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:29:28 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KIO3B Board In-Reply-To: <13e8b85e-1625-aa77-9cf8-fc6ac590d4c3@pinewooddata.com> References: <000001d77e94$e33ffc80$a9bff580$@comcast.net> <13e8b85e-1625-aa77-9cf8-fc6ac590d4c3@pinewooddata.com> Message-ID: <008701d77f0e$5d410190$17c304b0$@comcast.net> The board is definitely not happy. I plugged the aux cable into my KPA500 and as I cycle through the bands I keep getting invalid on the KPA500 screen when it comes to band. I have a call into Elecraft support. Pete Chamalian, W1RM W1rm at comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of John Simmons Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 9:13 PM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Board Pete, You might try one of these: https://www.amazon.com/CableMax-RS-232-link-Tester-Female/dp/B004OT995U/ref= sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=serial+port+tester&qid=1626916237&sr=8-3 It will tell you if the serial output of the KIO3B is working. 73, -de John NI0K rural Debs, MN w1rm at comcast.net wrote on 7/21/2021 7:59 PM: > Is there a way to test this board? I suspect mine has bitten the dust > because it's no longer sending frequency data via cat line to my amp. > > > > > > Pete Chamalian, W1RM > > W1rm at comcast.net > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > jasimmons at pinewooddata.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to w1rm at comcast.net From gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com Thu Jul 22 11:56:47 2021 From: gareth.m5kvk at gmail.com (Gareth M5KVK) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:56:47 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] KX2 not remembering Mic gain setting on ADATA In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: It appears the problem is more deep-seated. I?m away /P right now and decided to do some FT8 using a Raspberry Pi. I set up the Tx drive (seemingly) OK, by pressing Tune on WSJT-X and adjusting Tx level and Mic gain to get the right amount of ALC. However, when I then try to Tx again, TX LED lights but there is no drive. A Very slight nudge of the MIC gain causes 5-bars on the display, but next time I Tx it?s back to no drive. Has anybody else experienced this? Gareth From: Gareth M5KVK Date: Saturday, 10 July 2021 at 14:53 To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" Subject: Trouble using MH3 microphone with KX2 Hi all I?ve typically been using my MH3 with a KX3 for /P operating from my campervan. This last week I?ve been doing some SOTA activations, so I?ve been using my KX2 instead. I noticed a couple of issues when setting the Mic gain. I followed the advised procedure and reduced PWR=0, TX CMP=0, squeezed the PTT and spoke normally into the MH3. I found that there was no indication at all on the ALC meter until at about MIC=65, ALC jumped to 6-7. Mic bias is on. I also noticed on a few occasions that when operating, pressing PTT had no effect until I slightly increased the MIC gain. The MH3 works fine on my KX3, so I?m assuming the MH3 is OK, but I can?t figure where the problem lies. 73 Gareth ? M5KVK From cawissman at hotmail.com Thu Jul 22 12:08:52 2021 From: cawissman at hotmail.com (Craig Wissman) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 16:08:52 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Birthday Assistance to ask Message-ID: Hi How are you doing, I want to ask you for an assistance Do you normally order from amazon? Thanks. From frantz at pwpconsult.com Thu Jul 22 12:42:46 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:42:46 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I'm in general agreement with Bob, but there are some details. (1) You don't want to melt you power supply wires. If you trust the power supply device to properly current limit, then you don't need a fuse. If you are using something like my old solar/deep cycle battery supply, you definitely need a fuse. (2) The important thing about voltage drop is getting enough voltage to the final amp in the radio to avoid producing all kinds of distortion in the output signal. This distortion results in a bad signal that causes interference with neighbors on the band. If you are running 14.5 volts receive load, you can afford a bigger voltage drop than if you are running off of batteries at 12 volts receive load. In this latter case, you probably can't afford any voltage drop at all and should throttle back to a maximum of 50 watts or so to clean up your signal. Our real-life experience was one Field Day with our QRP digital K3 station. The deep cycle lead/acid battery was getting tired. The people in the CW tent were complaining of interference from the digital station. A fresh battery fixed the problem. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/22/21 at 6:27 AM, rmcgraw at benlomand.net (Bob McGraw) wrote: >With that power supply, which has both good over voltage >protection and current limiting, adding fuses in the DC line >will add resistance to the line.? Even being a small amount, >it will affect voltage regulation from no load to rated load at >the radio.??? For this reason I do not recommend adding >fuses to the DC power cables. > >I agree that all 100 watt transceivers should have their DC >power leads connected direct to the power supply terminals and >not through any DC distribution device.??? As a rule, >receive load to 100 watt CW/key closed transmit load, the >voltage drop at the radio should be less than 0.5 volts. ---------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Art is how we decorate space, 408-348-7900 | music is how we decorate time. www.pwpconsult.com | -Jean-Michel Basquiat From jeff at n6gq.com Thu Jul 22 13:37:00 2021 From: jeff at n6gq.com (Jeff Kinzli N6GQ) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:37:00 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 DVR comes and goes? Message-ID: Hey y'all, I have an old K3 that we upgraded to K3S a few years back. It also has a DVR unit in it. All firmware is current. Today upon powerup the DVR didn't work - showed as not installed and obviously didn't work. I powered off the radio and back on again, and there was the DVR, working again as usual. I'm thinking the contacts may need cleaning on the DVR/pins - but also wondering if there's other things that I should check. I'm taking the radio on a dxpedition soon and want everything to work properly. Thanks, Jeff N6GQ From contact at kg6mzs.net Thu Jul 22 20:51:12 2021 From: contact at kg6mzs.net (kg6mzs) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:51:12 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] I Keep Getting Kicked Out Message-ID: Hi, I keep getting kicked off the reflector for the stated reason of too many bounces.? How come no other list seems to have this problem? I'd love to stay subscribed to the list but re-applying is becoming too onerous. Is there anything we can do to remedy this problem? Sincerely, Eric Fitzgerald, KG6MZS From 99sunset at gmail.com Thu Jul 22 21:01:50 2021 From: 99sunset at gmail.com (Steve Hall) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 21:01:50 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Regarding 40 meter SSB net. Message-ID: Dave, Thanks for checking into the 40 meter SSB net. Hope to hear you regularly on the net. Eric, WB9JNZ relayed you in, as the conditions were very difficult and I could not hear you directly. Steve, WM6P From radio at disseminator.net Thu Jul 22 21:46:55 2021 From: radio at disseminator.net (Dave Erickson) Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2021 20:46:55 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Regarding 40 meter SSB net. In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2ca51005-9160-583f-521f-877538405c32@disseminator.net> On 7/22/2021 8:01 PM, Steve Hall wrote: > Dave, > Thanks for checking into the 40 meter SSB net. Hope to hear you regularly > on the net. > Eric, WB9JNZ relayed you in, as the conditions were very difficult and I > could not hear you directly. > Steve, WM6P Thanks Steve, And thanks Eric for the relay. Hopefully the band will be better this weekend. Take care. -- Dave Erickson AB0R 73 From douglas.hagerman at me.com Fri Jul 23 11:58:01 2021 From: douglas.hagerman at me.com (Douglas Hagerman) Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2021 10:58:01 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Changing K1 sidetone frequency Message-ID: <06B9C461-F167-484D-A86A-A083584A24D0@me.com> Could someone please remind me if you can change the K1 sidetone pitch without retuning the filters? Or is it like the K2? I can?t find mention of it in the K1 manual and can?t remember. Wanting to try 600 Hz. Thanks. Doug, W0UHU From ak5x at me.com Fri Jul 23 13:31:55 2021 From: ak5x at me.com (William Hammond) Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2021 12:31:55 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Changing K1 sidetone frequency In-Reply-To: <06B9C461-F167-484D-A86A-A083584A24D0@me.com> References: <06B9C461-F167-484D-A86A-A083584A24D0@me.com> Message-ID: From here: https://ftp.elecraft.com/K1/Manuals%20Downloads/E740016%20K1%20manual%20rev%20J.pdf Sidetone pitch 400-800 Hz in 10 Hz steps 73, Bill-AK5X QSK Delay and Sidetone: The QSK delay is set with the T - R menu entry. Sidetone volume and pitch are set using the S T L and S T P menu entries, respectively. > On Jul 23, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > > From don at w3fpr.com Fri Jul 23 13:38:35 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:38:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Changing K1 sidetone frequency In-Reply-To: <06B9C461-F167-484D-A86A-A083584A24D0@me.com> References: <06B9C461-F167-484D-A86A-A083584A24D0@me.com> Message-ID: Doug, The answer is "yes and no". Set the sidetone pitch in the menu, then adjust capacitor C20 (BFO adjust)? to center the filter at 600 Hz. You also need to adjust the Transmit Offset to match (adjust C13) - see the manual for the procedure. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/23/2021 11:58 AM, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: > Could someone please remind me if you can change the K1 sidetone pitch without retuning the filters? Or is it like the K2? > > From douglas.hagerman at me.com Fri Jul 23 15:33:58 2021 From: douglas.hagerman at me.com (Douglas Hagerman) Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2021 14:33:58 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Changing K1 sidetone frequency In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Thanks Don. I thought I remembered it being like this! Doug, W0UHU > On Jul 23, 2021, at 14:21, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > ?Doug, > > The answer is "yes and no". > Set the sidetone pitch in the menu, then adjust capacitor C20 (BFO adjust) to center the filter at 600 Hz. > You also need to adjust the Transmit Offset to match (adjust C13) - see the manual for the procedure. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 7/23/2021 11:58 AM, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: >> Could someone please remind me if you can change the K1 sidetone pitch without retuning the filters? Or is it like the K2? >> >> > From w1rc at near-fest.com Sat Jul 24 09:35:04 2021 From: w1rc at near-fest.com (Mister Mike) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 09:35:04 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] =?utf-8?q?FS=3A_Printed_K3_Owner=E2=80=99s_Manual_Revi?= =?utf-8?q?sion_D9=2C_Dec_7th_2010?= Message-ID: Surplus to my needs. In nice three ring binder. $12.00 plus Media Mail postage. This was my printing cost. Email w1rc at near-fest.com 73, Michael, W1RC From n6kr at elecraft.com Sat Jul 24 13:54:03 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 10:54:03 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition Message-ID: When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. 73, Wayne N6KR From n6kr at elecraft.com Sat Jul 24 13:54:06 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 10:54:06 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] On-Topic: What can we design for you next? Message-ID: <2DD0912E-FDE8-4A10-81EA-4CE008CB6CDD@elecraft.com> While the K4 continues to evolve every day in both software and future options, our engineering team is always tinkering with new designs. To inform that process, we seek input from both customers and potential development partners. If you have an idea for a product, especially something cool that hasn't yet been spotted in the wild, please contact me off-list anytime. (Off-list because these conversations tend to morph, explode, take over the forum, and eventually get quashed by Eric the Vigilant.) 73, Wayne N6KR From n7cqr at arrl.net Sat Jul 24 14:43:52 2021 From: n7cqr at arrl.net (Dan Presley) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 11:43:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7DF60B5D-CC16-4F23-B8DB-9FA69A2D7F4B@arrl.net> As a ?semi retired? professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it to get in the other guys? passband. I can?t wait to use this on my K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band? last year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take the KX2?maybe next summer. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > ?When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) > > Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net From bw396ss at yahoo.com Sat Jul 24 15:19:11 2021 From: bw396ss at yahoo.com (bw396ss at yahoo.com) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 14:19:11 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Any update for KIO33B Kit References: Message-ID: Just read July Newsletter and it is great to see that K4?s deliveries are increasing. I was wondering if there is any update on when those of us who place orders for items like the KIO3BUPKT_KIO3B Upgrade Kit for the K3, might expect delivery. Thanks, Bill - W0BBI Sent from my iPhone From w0fm at swbell.net Sat Jul 24 17:04:33 2021 From: w0fm at swbell.net (Terry Schieler) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 16:04:33 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: <7DF60B5D-CC16-4F23-B8DB-9FA69A2D7F4B@arrl.net> References: <7DF60B5D-CC16-4F23-B8DB-9FA69A2D7F4B@arrl.net> Message-ID: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> Dan's signature below is that of a musician. Always your phone number after your name. Someone may need a bassist. Back in my "professional" music days, someone would ask one of my band members... "how many in your band?". Their response...."four musicians and a drummer". Need I add which one was ME? Terry -----Original Message----- From: Dan Presley [mailto:n7cqr at arrl.net] Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 1:44 PM To: Wayne Burdick Cc: K2 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition As a ?semi retired? professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it to get in the other guys? passband. I can?t wait to use this on my K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band? last year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take the KX2?maybe next summer. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > ?When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) > > Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net From K9SW at comcast.net Sat Jul 24 17:22:47 2021 From: K9SW at comcast.net (K9SW) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 16:22:47 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW - relay clicks Message-ID: <6F85E40A-5AD5-4746-9862-82674B81A0BD@comcast.net> Recently bought a K2 and all was working well (silent QSK) until I moved from one spot on the bench to another. It was powered up and one of the leads fell off the power supply connector, so this was a live power interruption. After this, there are relay clicks when sending CW. I did a reset, but this did not change the relay clicks. Built the probe and did the CAL FIL routine and got it back on the air successfully. S/N 100, with ATU and SSB board. It would be nice to get back to silent QSK and preserve relay life. Any suggestions appreciated! Dave K9SW From n7cqr at arrl.net Sat Jul 24 18:56:22 2021 From: n7cqr at arrl.net (Dan Presley) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 15:56:22 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> Message-ID: Don?t get started on drummer jokes?or trombone or accordion or banjo . Seriously off topic! I will share my favorite at the risk of starting a thread?what?s the difference between an oboe and a Volkswagen? If you have to,really really have to?you can tune a Volkswagen ? Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 14:04, Terry Schieler wrote: > > ?Dan's signature below is that of a musician. Always your phone number after your name. Someone may need a bassist. > Back in my "professional" music days, someone would ask one of my band members... "how many in your band?". Their response...."four musicians and a drummer". Need I add which one was ME? > > Terry > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dan Presley [mailto:n7cqr at arrl.net] > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 1:44 PM > To: Wayne Burdick > Cc: K2 > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition > > As a ?semi retired? professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it to get in the other guys? passband. I can?t wait to use this on my K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band? last year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take the KX2?maybe next summer. > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley at me. com > N7CQR at arrl.net > > >> On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> >> ?When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) >> >> Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net > > > From forums at david-woolley.me.uk Sat Jul 24 19:13:03 2021 From: forums at david-woolley.me.uk (David Woolley) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:13:03 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] I Keep Getting Kicked Out In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <7d3edc1b-5142-b21b-b166-7497984fb7d1@david-woolley.me.uk> You need to reduce the sensitivity of your spam checker, or white list mail with an envelope sender of elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net. Or, if you mailbox is overflowing, you need to clear it more often, so mail doesn't get rejected because it is too full. It is just possible that receiving in digest may help, e.g. by diluting the parts that cause the false positives in the spam checker. It is also possible that the spam checker doesn't like some contributor's domains, and, with some luck, these will not be seen, because they are not in the main email headers in a digest. Nearly all the spam detections, I see for the list, are false positives. I take it in MIME digest format, however, sometimes posts from legitimate members get forged onto the list. -- David Woolley On 23/07/2021 01:51, kg6mzs wrote: > I keep getting kicked off the reflector for the stated reason of too > many bounces.? How come no other list seems to have this problem? > > I'd love to stay subscribed to the list but re-applying is becoming too > onerous. > > Is there anything we can do to remedy this problem? > From elanzl at sbcglobal.net Sat Jul 24 19:23:02 2021 From: elanzl at sbcglobal.net (Eric Lanzl) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 23:23:02 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] SSB Net for Sunday July 18, 2021 References: <779842119.795201.1627168982733.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <779842119.795201.1627168982733@mail.yahoo.com> Here are the stations that checked in to the SSB Net on Sunday. Everyone is welcome regardless of type of radio. Sunday SSB Nets: 20m?? 1800Z? 14.303.5 Alternate 14.310??? 40 m? 1900Z??? 7.2802000Z? Zoom meeting contact Carl K8NU for the link80m?? 0100Z??? 3775 or there abouts WB9JNZ has his K3 in the shop for repairs due to no power output which happened suddenly. Using a Yaesu ftdx101 in the mean time. Call????????? Name??? State????? Radio??? Serial #? QRP???????????????????????????? Notes WB9JNZ????? Eric?????????? IL????????????? Yaesu?????? FTdx101d ???????????????????????????????????Net Control? N6JW?????????? John????????? CA??????????? K3???????????? 936??????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????Relay Station ? W1NGA?????? Al????????????? CO??????????? KX2????????? 2002????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? WM6P????????? Steve???????? GA??????????? K3S?????????? 11453??????? ??????????????????????????? ????????Relay Station? KB9AVO???? Paul?????????? IN???????????? K4???????????? 76????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N4NRW?????? Roger??????? SC???????????? K3???????????? 1318?????????????????????????????????????????? ????Relay Station K5PD?????????? Pete?????????? TX??????????? K3???????????? 545??????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KX1A????????? David??????? NH??????????? K4D????????? 173??????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? AB0R?????????? DAVID???? MN?????????? K3???????????? 6343????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KB3FBR????? Joe??????????? PA???????????? K2???????????? 6178????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K5TGS???????? Tim?????????? TX??????????? K3S?????????? ????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N9SRA???????? Steve???????? IL????????????? ICOM??????? 7600????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? W4DML?????? Doug???????? TN??????????? K3???????????? 6433????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K5CMO?????? Brad????????? TX??????????? K3S?????????? 101620????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K6VWE?????? Stan?????????? MI???????????? K3???????????? 650??????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? WM6T????????? Tracy???????? CA??????????? K4???????????? 104??????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N2TNQ??????? Len??????????? NJ???????????? K3???????????? 5270????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N7GOD??????? Galen??????? AZ??????????? K2???????????? 6533????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KG4WXU??? Jerry????????? TN??????????? K2???????????? 7430????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? N6IJB?????????? Gordon????? CA??????????? Icom???????? 7300????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? KT4NU??????? Frank???????? FL???????????? K3???????????? 4006????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ? K7UT?????????? DARRYL? UT??????????? K3???????????? 845 ?????????? ????????????????????????????????????? From kevinr at coho.net Sat Jul 24 20:16:32 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 17:16:32 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement Message-ID: Good Evening, ?? The huckleberries are getting eaten by the chickadees so I have to hustle.? Thimble berries are showing the effects of the heat wave during their flowering phase.? Few fruit are ripe in this dry weather.? The black raspberries are doing great though. I saw a chipmunk on a branch, with his back to the sun, eating one like it was corn on the cob.? He lives in the middle of a thicket of berry stalks.? Life is good. ?? The sun is growing more active with a speckled surface and lively flares.? We may, or may not, be hit by a CME in the near future.? The pundits are uncertain.? Solar flux rose to 94 sfu earlier in the week, but it has dropped back to 87 at the present time.? Summer storms send their normal background noise. Hopefully they signal rain and not more fires. ?? I was standing under a vine maple when a hawk landed right next to me.? I heard the rush of wings then a thump as he grabbed a branch.? We looked at each other for a few moments before he decided to leave.? The thinning has given him more flight paths through the forest.? That chipmunk had better be vigilant, an incautious rodent can become a feast. Please join us on (or near): 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) ? 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) ?? 73, ????? Kevin. KD5ONS - Time passes softly and I'm a day older But still I'm living days gone by Ashes to ashes, the rain's turning colder Finding tomorrow, the ashes, the rain and I From rwnewbould at comcast.net Sat Jul 24 20:27:30 2021 From: rwnewbould at comcast.net (Rich) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 20:27:30 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 DVR comes and goes? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <34b04a4d-7586-9620-b1eb-5917d6800def@comcast.net> Let us know what you find.?? I have a K3S which was sent back to have the DVR firmware updated, not the update we can do, but the one that needs done at the repair center which now shows "dr 02.05".? Even after the repair many times my DVR will not work at all or locks in transmit.?? If I check the FW REVS in CONFIG it will show "dr 00.01" or a variety of other numbers, but not "dr 02.05".?? If I cycle the power on the radio a time or two it will again show "dr 02.05" and starts working again. You might want to check what you FW version is when the DVR is not working. Rich K3RWN On 7/22/2021 13:37 PM, Jeff Kinzli N6GQ wrote: > Hey y'all, I have an old K3 that we upgraded to K3S a few years back. It > also has a DVR unit in it. All firmware is current. > > Today upon powerup the DVR didn't work - showed as not installed and > obviously didn't work. > > I powered off the radio and back on again, and there was the DVR, working > again as usual. > > I'm thinking the contacts may need cleaning on the DVR/pins - but also > wondering if there's other things that I should check. I'm taking the radio > on a dxpedition soon and want everything to work properly. > > Thanks, > > Jeff N6GQ > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rwnewbould at comcast.net From kd4iz at frawg.org Sat Jul 24 21:00:33 2021 From: kd4iz at frawg.org (kd4iz at frawg.org) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:00:33 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> Message-ID: <036301d780f0$7a1657f0$6e4307d0$@frawg.org> Oh My... I always thought it was a Viola and a Volkswagen... Jack Spitznagel ? KD4IZ Science River LLC Biomedical Consulting Services -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Dan Presley Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 18:56 To: Terry Schieler Cc: K2 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition Don?t get started on drummer jokes?or trombone or accordion or banjo . Seriously off topic! I will share my favorite at the risk of starting a thread?what?s the difference between an oboe and a Volkswagen? If you have to,really really have to?you can tune a Volkswagen ? Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net From jboehner01 at yahoo.com Sat Jul 24 21:11:35 2021 From: jboehner01 at yahoo.com (James F. Boehner, MD) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:11:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> Message-ID: <00ae01d780f2$03ff6870$0bfe3950$@yahoo.com> OK, I resisted as long as I could... Dan already gave the punchline for "What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?" Yes, a drummer... But before we leave the oboe, "What is the better double reed instrument, the oboe or the bassoon?" The bassoon of course-it burns longer! Just some musings from the trumpet section- And everyone knows how WE are! ?. Wayne, I'm going to take you up on your offer. A shout out to ALL musicians in the Elecraft family! '73 de Jim N2ZZ -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Dan Presley Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 6:56 PM To: Terry Schieler Cc: K2 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition Don?t get started on drummer jokes?or trombone or accordion or banjo . Seriously off topic! I will share my favorite at the risk of starting a thread?what?s the difference between an oboe and a Volkswagen? If you have to,really really have to?you can tune a Volkswagen ? Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley at me. com N7CQR at arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 14:04, Terry Schieler wrote: > > ?Dan's signature below is that of a musician. Always your phone number after your name. Someone may need a bassist. > Back in my "professional" music days, someone would ask one of my band members... "how many in your band?". Their response...."four musicians and a drummer". Need I add which one was ME? > > Terry > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dan Presley [mailto:n7cqr at arrl.net] > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 1:44 PM > To: Wayne Burdick > Cc: K2 > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition > > As a ?semi retired? professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it to get in the other guys? passband. I can?t wait to use this on my K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band? last year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take the KX2?maybe next summer. > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley at me. com > N7CQR at arrl.net > > >> On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> >> ?When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) >> >> Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. >> >> 73, >> Wayne >> N6KR >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n7cqr at arrl.net > > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to jboehner01 at yahoo.com From ws6x.ars at gmail.com Sat Jul 24 21:21:21 2021 From: ws6x.ars at gmail.com (Jim Clymer) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:21:21 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: <036301d780f0$7a1657f0$6e4307d0$@frawg.org> References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> <036301d780f0$7a1657f0$6e4307d0$@frawg.org> Message-ID: I always heard it was the French horn... Jim - WS6X - 1st undergraduate degree: music, performance, classic guitar - 2nd: engineering technology On Sat, Jul 24, 2021, 9:01 PM wrote: > Oh My... > I always thought it was a Viola and a Volkswagen... > Jack Spitznagel ? KD4IZ > Science River LLC > Biomedical Consulting Services > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net > On Behalf Of Dan Presley > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 18:56 > To: Terry Schieler > Cc: K2 > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition > > Don?t get started on drummer jokes?or trombone or accordion or banjo . > Seriously off topic! I will share my favorite at the risk of starting a > thread?what?s the difference between an oboe and a Volkswagen? If you have > to,really really have to?you can tune a Volkswagen ? > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley at me. com > N7CQR at arrl.net > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ws6x.ars at gmail.com From don at w3fpr.com Sat Jul 24 21:40:02 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:40:02 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW - relay clicks In-Reply-To: <6F85E40A-5AD5-4746-9862-82674B81A0BD@comcast.net> References: <6F85E40A-5AD5-4746-9862-82674B81A0BD@comcast.net> Message-ID: <6d95d1b0-77a2-4e61-3ffe-1d472de813db@w3fpr.com> Dave, I am at a loss to tell you what is going on.? The T/R switching in the K2 is all electronic, no relays involved. If a K2/100, break it down to just the base K2 and see if it is in the base K2 or in the KPA100. If you have the K2/10, remove the top cover which contains the KAT2. If it occurs in just the base K2, hold your finger on the relays one by one and see if you can detect which one is switching as you key the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/24/2021 5:22 PM, K9SW wrote: > Recently bought a K2 and all was working well (silent QSK) until I moved from one spot on the bench to another. It was powered up and one of the leads fell off the power supply connector, so this was a live power interruption. After this, there are relay clicks when sending CW. I did a reset, but this did not change the relay clicks. Built the probe and did the CAL FIL routine and got it back on the air successfully. > > S/N 100, with ATU and SSB board. > > It would be nice to get back to silent QSK and preserve relay life. Any suggestions appreciated! > > From bruce.forsberg at gmail.com Sun Jul 25 05:30:52 2021 From: bruce.forsberg at gmail.com (Bruce Forsberg) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 02:30:52 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure Message-ID: Today when using my KPA500 I switched it into operate mode from standby and received an error message of 270V ERR. This is the first time I have seen this error. I partially disassembled the amplifier and measured the 270V voltage and it is 70V, which is close to what the HV voltage measured on the front panel says. After finding some old outdated schematics on the internet it looks like there is a diode capacitor voltage multiplier circuit that takes the HV voltage of approx 70V and brings it up to 270V. I am assuming I have lost one of the diodes in the chain. Unfortunately Elecraft has used tiny diode packs and even put 2 of the 3 packs between electrolytic capacitors on the board, which I will have to remove. Has anyone else seen this problem with their KPA500? And how did you go about fixing this? Thanks, Bruce, WB6IZG From peder.kittelson at gmail.com Sat Jul 24 22:36:02 2021 From: peder.kittelson at gmail.com (Peder Kittelson) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 19:36:02 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Strange Voltage check for Extended Power Supply Leads to Elecraft K3s Message-ID: Thank you all for your help in reviewing my K3s transceiver in-line fuses, the fuse locations (they are near the power supply) and available voltage from my power supply for the K3s. *I have a strange voltage pattern*. The K3s manual says the voltage for the transceiver should be: 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts minimum, 15 volts maximum. The manual also says there should be only a voltage drop of .5 watts. My standing, receiving voltage is 13.9 volts. When I transmit @100 watts, *the voltage drops to 13.4 volts* which is right on the recommendation numbers, so that seems good. When I tune @ 20 watts, *the voltage drops to 12.6 volts*. Is that a problem? Why is that number so much lower? In both cases the signal goes through an external Palstar BT1500A tuner for my window line going to an extended multiband Zepp antenna. In both these cases the internal k3s tuner is not activated. There is no difference in the tuning, locally or externally by the Palstar tuner. So does anyone have a guess at why this should be? Do I need to make a change somewhere? 73 and thanks to everyone, Peder, W7RPK From bill at wjschmidt.com Sat Jul 24 23:34:40 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 22:34:40 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <07fc01d78106$00d9ce60$028d6b20$@wjschmidt.com> This happens a lot... search the forum for past msgs. It's not the HV power supply that is the problem. That power supply powers the PIN diodes for TR and RX... and it is more likely that the PIN diodes shot craps and shorted the power supply. There are two voltage Test Points "TP" on the board under with the diodes and you need to check the voltages on those test points. That will tell you everything you need to know. Will post the voltages when I find them. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email:? bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Bruce Forsberg Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 4:31 AM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure Today when using my KPA500 I switched it into operate mode from standby and received an error message of 270V ERR. This is the first time I have seen this error. I partially disassembled the amplifier and measured the 270V voltage and it is 70V, which is close to what the HV voltage measured on the front panel says. After finding some old outdated schematics on the internet it looks like there is a diode capacitor voltage multiplier circuit that takes the HV voltage of approx 70V and brings it up to 270V. I am assuming I have lost one of the diodes in the chain. Unfortunately Elecraft has used tiny diode packs and even put 2 of the 3 packs between electrolytic capacitors on the board, which I will have to remove. Has anyone else seen this problem with their KPA500? And how did you go about fixing this? Thanks, Bruce, WB6IZG ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From bill at wjschmidt.com Sat Jul 24 23:36:30 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 22:36:30 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure References: Message-ID: <07fd01d78106$429029d0$c7b07d70$@wjschmidt.com> Here it is. From Elecraft technical support: Nominally: TP2= RX 13.1 TX 0.8 TP4= RX 3.9 TX 13 >From Rene Morris at Elecraft (great guy!). Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email:? bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: Dr. William J. Schmidt Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 10:35 PM To: 'Bruce Forsberg' ; 'elecraft at mailman.qth.net' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure This happens a lot... search the forum for past msgs. It's not the HV power supply that is the problem. That power supply powers the PIN diodes for TR and RX... and it is more likely that the PIN diodes shot craps and shorted the power supply. There are two voltage Test Points "TP" on the board under with the diodes and you need to check the voltages on those test points. That will tell you everything you need to know. Will post the voltages when I find them. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email:? bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Bruce Forsberg Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 4:31 AM To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure Today when using my KPA500 I switched it into operate mode from standby and received an error message of 270V ERR. This is the first time I have seen this error. I partially disassembled the amplifier and measured the 270V voltage and it is 70V, which is close to what the HV voltage measured on the front panel says. After finding some old outdated schematics on the internet it looks like there is a diode capacitor voltage multiplier circuit that takes the HV voltage of approx 70V and brings it up to 270V. I am assuming I have lost one of the diodes in the chain. Unfortunately Elecraft has used tiny diode packs and even put 2 of the 3 packs between electrolytic capacitors on the board, which I will have to remove. Has anyone else seen this problem with their KPA500? And how did you go about fixing this? Thanks, Bruce, WB6IZG ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bill at wjschmidt.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From bruce.forsberg at gmail.com Sun Jul 25 06:54:47 2021 From: bruce.forsberg at gmail.com (Bruce Forsberg) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 03:54:47 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure In-Reply-To: <07fd01d78106$429029d0$c7b07d70$@wjschmidt.com> References: <07fd01d78106$429029d0$c7b07d70$@wjschmidt.com> Message-ID: Thanks for the reply but in my case the problem is the voltage multiplier circuit on the power supply PCB. I just disconnected the HV (~70V) and 270V lines so they did not go anywhere and the 270V line still only measures 85V. Thanks Bruce, WB6IZG On Sat, Jul 24, 2021 at 8:36 PM Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote: > Here it is. From Elecraft technical support: > > Nominally: > > TP2= RX 13.1 TX 0.8 > TP4= RX 3.9 TX 13 > > From Rene Morris at Elecraft (great guy!). > > > > Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ > > Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. > > email: bill at wjschmidt.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Dr. William J. Schmidt > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 10:35 PM > To: 'Bruce Forsberg' ; 'elecraft at mailman.qth.net > ' > > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure > > This happens a lot... search the forum for past msgs. It's not the HV > power > supply that is the problem. That power supply powers the PIN diodes for TR > and RX... and it is more likely that the PIN diodes shot craps and shorted > the power supply. There are two voltage Test Points "TP" on the board > under > with the diodes and you need to check the voltages on those test points. > That will tell you everything you need to know. Will post the voltages > when > I find them. > > > Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ > > Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. > > email: bill at wjschmidt.com > > > > From bill at wjschmidt.com Sun Jul 25 00:17:01 2021 From: bill at wjschmidt.com (Dr. William J. Schmidt) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 23:17:01 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure In-Reply-To: References: <07fd01d78106$429029d0$c7b07d70$@wjschmidt.com> <080201d7810a$0ba8b1e0$22fa15a0$@wjschmidt.com> Message-ID: <081201d7810b$eba85560$c2f90020$@wjschmidt.com> YEP Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email: bill at wjschmidt.com From: Bruce Forsberg Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 11:10 PM To: bill at wjschmidt.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure OK, I see what you're saying now. I might have 2 problems. 1 or more diodes in the PS board and the TR switching diodes. I will make the check you stated. Thanks for the tip. Bruce, WB6IZG On Sat, Jul 24, 2021 at 9:03 PM Dr. William J. Schmidt > wrote: Well my experience is that the supply doesn?t just die for no reason? Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email: bill at wjschmidt.com From: Bruce Forsberg > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 5:55 AM To: bill at wjschmidt.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure Thanks for the reply but in my case the problem is the voltage multiplier circuit on the power supply PCB. I just disconnected the HV (~70V) and 270V lines so they did not go anywhere and the 270V line still only measures 85V. Thanks Bruce, WB6IZG On Sat, Jul 24, 2021 at 8:36 PM Dr. William J. Schmidt > wrote: Here it is. From Elecraft technical support: Nominally: TP2= RX 13.1 TX 0.8 TP4= RX 3.9 TX 13 >From Rene Morris at Elecraft (great guy!). Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email: bill at wjschmidt.com -----Original Message----- From: Dr. William J. Schmidt > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 10:35 PM To: 'Bruce Forsberg' >; 'elecraft at mailman.qth.net ' > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure This happens a lot... search the forum for past msgs. It's not the HV power supply that is the problem. That power supply powers the PIN diodes for TR and RX... and it is more likely that the PIN diodes shot craps and shorted the power supply. There are two voltage Test Points "TP" on the board under with the diodes and you need to check the voltages on those test points. That will tell you everything you need to know. Will post the voltages when I find them. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Moderator ? North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email: bill at wjschmidt.com Virus-free. www.avg.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From haljr.massey at gmail.com Sun Jul 25 00:20:26 2021 From: haljr.massey at gmail.com (Hal Massey) Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 22:20:26 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Strange Voltage check for Extended Power Supply Leads to Elecraft K3s In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0140F9E7-EDCB-473A-AACA-2801BEFE1513@gmail.com> Your power supply isn?t regulating very well. Could be the power supply is having an issue. Or it is too small for the task. In tbe USA it is not uncommon for ham supplies to be somewhat overrated. For example many Astron 35A supplies are really the equivalent of a commercial 25A supply. > On Jul 24, 2021, at 8:38 PM, Peder Kittelson wrote: > > ?Thank you all for your help in reviewing my K3s transceiver in-line fuses, > the fuse locations (they are near the power supply) and available voltage > from my power supply for the K3s. > > *I have a strange voltage pattern*. The K3s manual says the voltage for > the transceiver should be: 13.8 volts nominal, 11 volts minimum, 15 volts > maximum. The manual also says there should be only a voltage drop of .5 > watts. > > My standing, receiving voltage is 13.9 volts. When I transmit @100 watts, *the > voltage drops to 13.4 volts* which is right on the recommendation numbers, > so that seems good. > > When I tune @ 20 watts, *the voltage drops to 12.6 volts*. Is that a > problem? Why is that number so much lower? > > In both cases the signal goes through an external Palstar BT1500A tuner for > my window line going to an extended multiband Zepp antenna. In both these > cases the internal k3s tuner is not activated. There is no difference in > the tuning, locally or externally by the Palstar tuner. > > So does anyone have a guess at why this should be? Do I need to make a > change somewhere? > > 73 and thanks to everyone, > > Peder, W7RPK > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to haljr.massey at gmail.com From g8kbvdave at googlemail.com Sun Jul 25 04:06:30 2021 From: g8kbvdave at googlemail.com (Dave B) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 09:06:30 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] In Line Power Pole Fuses In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <3f6ee863-d5c3-2784-03f0-bbad65cf33e9@googlemail.com> > Dave and all, > > Placing the fuse near the power supply end is the way to do it. > In the event of a short, the power wire can spew metal and start a fire. > Always fuse near the power supply.? A fuse at the equipment end will > only protect the equipment, but will expose the wire from the power > supply to hazards. > > 73, > Don W3FPR ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also, if at all possible, do not connect directly to the Negative side of the battery without a fuse. In the event of a (not uncommon) fault with the batteries own ground strap, your radio etc will try to conduct a large proportion of the engine cranking current, that doesn't end well.? (I have seen CB sets explode under such conditions!) Sketch out the starting circuit, then include your radio's power wiring and you'll see the problem.? (Include the antenna ground connection!) With some modern vehicles, such a connection can also affect the battery charging system behaviour, as a bulk current sensor could be bypassed by your wiring resulting in overcharging the battery under some conditions. Some vehicles also use the alternator to provide extra engine breaking, resulting in large charging currents and voltage changes for short periods (seconds) while overall the battery is never "fully" charged, to accommodate such short term usage without damage. For Safety, it is best to connect the radio -ve direct to the vehicle chassis ground, not the battery negative. If you do have to connect directly to the vehicle battery negative (for a temporary install, during an EMCOM event for example) then check the condition of the vehicles battery ground strap first, AND use a Fuse in the radio -ve lead.? (If you ever find that fuse has failed for no "apparent" reason, you need to check the health of vehicle battery cabling in detail.) Always check the vehicle handbook for advice about such things too. Having suffered a vehicle electrical fire* while driving, I can tell you, you do not want that experience. (* Unrelated to any amateur radio matters, it was due to a "money saving feature" by the vehicle maker, that over time eventually caused a short to ground of a lighting circuit, that was also not fused!) Take care. Dave G8KBV -- Created on and sent from a Unix like PC running and using free and open source software: From g4gnx at g4gnx.com Sun Jul 25 07:35:06 2021 From: g4gnx at g4gnx.com (Alan - G4GNX) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 11:35:06 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: <036301d780f0$7a1657f0$6e4307d0$@frawg.org> References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> <036301d780f0$7a1657f0$6e4307d0$@frawg.org> Message-ID: I build and refurbish Theatre Pipe Organs and produced sampled organs, mainly for home use. Wind pressures can be as high as 25" WG and some of my organs rise more than 6' above the floor. Any advance on 25" or 6'? ROTFL My favourite stop = Bourbon to Organist Coupler. :-D 73, Alan. G4GNX From len at ka7ftp.com Sun Jul 25 09:36:43 2021 From: len at ka7ftp.com (len at ka7ftp.com) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 07:36:43 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <03f301d7815a$1bbb04c0$53310e40$@ka7ftp.com> Wayne you kill me! I suppose my musical endeavors are proceeded with the same adjective as my radio activities, amateur. I took piano lessons when I was young. I mostly enjoyed the lessons because my piano teacher, who was a wonderful blind lady, was also extremely brilliant. We could talk for many hours about physics, science, religion, and many other topics. Unlike the music teachers I saw with my children Betty would have me create my own compositions. My piano skills are highly lacking but I do enjoy creating music. I've tinkered with a bunch of different interments and have never really mastered any of them. To me life is like a sampler that keeps me far too distracted to become good at anyone thing. In any case... To keep the posting short... I do "poorly" still compose. I have a small studio in my office which includes an Analog synth and other keyboards and equipment. Several years ago I discovered who my biological parents are. At the top of the soundcloud page I have the song I wrote for my biological mother, who I will probably never meet. (I did reach out and she rejected the contact...) I did the piano track and my Daughter hired a vocalist. The other compositions below are on the synths. https://soundcloud.com/knobhell http://knobhell.com/ 73 len -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 11:54 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the question.) Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample compositions), feel free to contact me directly. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to len at ka7ftp.com From rjlawn at gmail.com Sun Jul 25 10:51:42 2021 From: rjlawn at gmail.com (Richard Lawn) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 10:51:42 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition Message-ID: I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile From len at ka7ftp.com Sun Jul 25 11:29:19 2021 From: len at ka7ftp.com (len at ka7ftp.com) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 09:29:19 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <075201d78169$d6578c90$8306a5b0$@ka7ftp.com> ?vibrato?, it does hide the lack of pitch... ;) Though it can be overdone, as in Opra. -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard Lawn Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 8:52 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to len at ka7ftp.com From n4kd at bellsouth.net Sun Jul 25 11:37:10 2021 From: n4kd at bellsouth.net (n4kd) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 10:37:10 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Since you brought up chainsaws, I can compare it to my favorite instrument. What?s the difference between a banjo and a chainsaw? A chainsaw has a dynamic range! - 73, Dave N4KD > On Jul 25, 2021, at 09:54, Richard Lawn wrote: > > ?I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the > difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to > disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) > > 73 > Rick, W2JAZ > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n4kd at bellsouth.net From len at ka7ftp.com Sun Jul 25 12:14:15 2021 From: len at ka7ftp.com (len at ka7ftp.com) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 10:14:15 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <075401d78170$1daa76b0$58ff6410$@ka7ftp.com> Now you are just picking on the old banjo... -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of n4kd Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 9:37 AM Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition Since you brought up chainsaws, I can compare it to my favorite instrument. What?s the difference between a banjo and a chainsaw? A chainsaw has a dynamic range! - 73, Dave N4KD > On Jul 25, 2021, at 09:54, Richard Lawn wrote: > > ?I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the > difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to > disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) > > 73 > Rick, W2JAZ > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > n4kd at bellsouth.net ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to len at ka7ftp.com From k0az at centurytel.net Sun Jul 25 12:55:06 2021 From: k0az at centurytel.net (Mike Sanders) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 11:55:06 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] test Message-ID: <92d62be8-3815-7c9f-2271-18590a921127@centurytel.net> Testing Elecraft email?? K0AZ -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com From nv4c.ian at gmail.com Sun Jul 25 13:01:30 2021 From: nv4c.ian at gmail.com (Ian Kahn) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 13:01:30 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] test In-Reply-To: <92d62be8-3815-7c9f-2271-18590a921127@centurytel.net> References: <92d62be8-3815-7c9f-2271-18590a921127@centurytel.net> Message-ID: Congratulations! You passed! ? 73 de, Ian, NV4C On Sun, Jul 25, 2021, 12:55 PM Mike Sanders wrote: > Testing Elecraft email K0AZ > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > https://www.avg.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to nv4c.ian at gmail.com From frantz at pwpconsult.com Sun Jul 25 13:53:49 2021 From: frantz at pwpconsult.com (Bill Frantz) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 10:53:49 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: Message-ID: OK, OK. I'll join in. I describe myself as a mediocre musician who has been playing the guitar for about 65 years. I also play the Autoharp. I discovered after playing for about 5 years that I play for myself. If you want to listen, you're more than welcome. Otherwise go somewhere else. I play mostly folk style and say to people that I don't know any song that you do. I have written a number of songs over the years. I play only acoustic instruments. My XYL is scared of me having an amp. 73 Bill AE6JV ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | My subscription to Life | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | expired, but I still have a | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | subscription to Mad. - WA1LOU| Peterborough, NH 03458 From k0acp at k0acp.com Sun Jul 25 15:34:26 2021 From: k0acp at k0acp.com (Art Peters) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 15:34:26 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] On-Topic: What can we design for you next? In-Reply-To: <2DD0912E-FDE8-4A10-81EA-4CE008CB6CDD@elecraft.com> References: <2DD0912E-FDE8-4A10-81EA-4CE008CB6CDD@elecraft.com> Message-ID: Wayne, I love my K3 and 500? loop! Today I use an iCom AH4 to tune the loop with the help of an interface switch?. I?d be interested in a hi power version that would work with my k4/kpa1500?. 73 es God Bless, Art/K0ACP Sent from my iPad > On Jul 24, 2021, at 1:57 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > ?While the K4 continues to evolve every day in both software and future options, our engineering team is always tinkering with new designs. To inform that process, we seek input from both customers and potential development partners. > > If you have an idea for a product, especially something cool that hasn't yet been spotted in the wild, please contact me off-list anytime. (Off-list because these conversations tend to morph, explode, take over the forum, and eventually get quashed by Eric the Vigilant.) > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k0acp at k0acp.com From w1rm at comcast.net Sun Jul 25 15:38:47 2021 From: w1rm at comcast.net (w1rm at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 15:38:47 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Error Message FT8 on K3S Message-ID: <00a201d7818c$b06d5a00$11480e00$@comcast.net> After running the software for a while, get an error message saying Error in Sound Output Requested output audio format is not supported on device. I'm running the latest version of wsjtx, n1mm, windows 10. I connect my K3S to my computer via USB directly. I have no idea what's wrong. Pete Chamalian, W1RM W1rm at comcast.net From d.cutter at ntlworld.com Sun Jul 25 16:14:19 2021 From: d.cutter at ntlworld.com (CUTTER DAVID) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 21:14:19 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Elecraft] Bandpass filters Message-ID: <1934995915.433794.1627244059987@mail2.virginmedia.com> From K9SW at comcast.net Sun Jul 25 18:51:26 2021 From: K9SW at comcast.net (K9SW at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 17:51:26 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW - relay clicks In-Reply-To: <6d95d1b0-77a2-4e61-3ffe-1d472de813db@w3fpr.com> References: <6F85E40A-5AD5-4746-9862-82674B81A0BD@comcast.net> <6d95d1b0-77a2-4e61-3ffe-1d472de813db@w3fpr.com> Message-ID: Thanks, Don. It?s a K2/10, so I?ll do the relay touch-test. Dave K9SW > On Jul 24, 2021, at 8:40 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Dave, > > I am at a loss to tell you what is going on. The T/R switching in the K2 is all electronic, no relays involved. > If a K2/100, break it down to just the base K2 and see if it is in the base K2 or in the KPA100. > If you have the K2/10, remove the top cover which contains the KAT2. > > If it occurs in just the base K2, hold your finger on the relays one by one and see if you can detect which one is switching as you key the K2. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 7/24/2021 5:22 PM, K9SW wrote: >> Recently bought a K2 and all was working well (silent QSK) until I moved from one spot on the bench to another. It was powered up and one of the leads fell off the power supply connector, so this was a live power interruption. After this, there are relay clicks when sending CW. I did a reset, but this did not change the relay clicks. Built the probe and did the CAL FIL routine and got it back on the air successfully. >> >> S/N 100, with ATU and SSB board. >> >> It would be nice to get back to silent QSK and preserve relay life. Any suggestions appreciated! >> >> > From lawresh at woh.rr.com Sun Jul 25 22:46:44 2021 From: lawresh at woh.rr.com (SteveL) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 22:46:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition In-Reply-To: <00ae01d780f2$03ff6870$0bfe3950$@yahoo.com> References: <01ab01d780cf$816f7570$844e6050$@swbell.net> <00ae01d780f2$03ff6870$0bfe3950$@yahoo.com> Message-ID: > > But before we leave the oboe, "What is the better double reed instrument, the oboe or the bassoon?" The bassoon of course-it burns longer! > And here I thought it was the Highland bagpipes! (also applies to the Volkswagen comparison) Steve AA8AF (and a piper in training) From kevinr at coho.net Mon Jul 26 00:00:00 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2021 21:00:00 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report Message-ID: <226c5051-b0b6-87cb-bf3a-df5d328422eb@coho.net> Good Evening, ?? Conditions were less noisy this week.? Twenty meters seemed almost quiet.? However, as the forty meter net progressed the noise increased.? There was a storm somewhere in the distance; lightning static covered up a few characters.? QSB was light too. A little deeper on forty. ?? Still very dry and hot across most of the US.? I was surprised when I ran my well dry this week.? That has only happened twice in over twenty years.? The last time was in early October, not in July.? I will space out my water use to try to avoid this.? Some rain would be nice, or even a foggy morning. ? On 14050.5 kHz at 2200z: W0CZ - Ken - ND K6XK - Roy - IA K0DTJ - Brian - CA K4JPN - Steve - GA AB9V - Mike - IN ? On 7047.5 kHz at 0000z: WM5F - Dwight - ID K0DTJ - Brian - CA K6PJV - Dale - CA ?? Until next week 73, ????? Kevin.? KD5ONS - How to optimize your velocity while touring the solar system. https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/fast-superhighway-solar-system-discovered https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/48/eabd1313 From hms4 at lehigh.edu Mon Jul 26 07:57:41 2021 From: hms4 at lehigh.edu (Howard Sherer) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 07:57:41 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] ARR SP 144 VDG for sale Message-ID: I have a like new 2M Advanced Receiver Research receive pre amp for sale. Great for the K3 and transverter. This is the RF switched high gain low NF unit. I will take $120. including USPS shipping within the US. Howard AE3T From payne0j at comcast.net Mon Jul 26 09:18:13 2021 From: payne0j at comcast.net (John Payne) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:18:13 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: <075401d78170$1daa76b0$58ff6410$@ka7ftp.com> References: <075401d78170$1daa76b0$58ff6410$@ka7ftp.com> Message-ID: <8461cdbc-e3a6-9c93-c101-0c1b90b17493@comcast.net> How many guitar players does it take to change a light bulb? 12!!? One to change the bulb and the other 11 to sit around saying "I can do that". 73 de John W4CWZ On 7/25/2021 12:14 PM, len at ka7ftp.com wrote: > Now you are just picking on the old banjo... > > -----Original Message----- > From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of n4kd > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2021 9:37 AM > Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition > > Since you brought up chainsaws, I can compare it to my favorite instrument. > > What?s the difference between a banjo and a chainsaw? > > A chainsaw has a dynamic range! > > - 73, > Dave N4KD > >> On Jul 25, 2021, at 09:54, Richard Lawn wrote: >> >> ?I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the >> difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to >> disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) >> >> 73 >> Rick, W2JAZ >> -- >> Sent from Gmail Mobile >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email >> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to >> n4kd at bellsouth.net > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to len at ka7ftp.com > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to payne0j at comcast.net From g4gnx at g4gnx.com Mon Jul 26 09:45:43 2021 From: g4gnx at g4gnx.com (Alan - G4GNX) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 13:45:43 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: <8461cdbc-e3a6-9c93-c101-0c1b90b17493@comcast.net> References: <075401d78170$1daa76b0$58ff6410$@ka7ftp.com> <8461cdbc-e3a6-9c93-c101-0c1b90b17493@comcast.net> Message-ID: I fear we're going to get out of control but........ How many folk singers does it take to change a light bulb? 10 - One to change the light bulb and the other 9 to sing about how good the old one was. and just to take it completely off-topic: How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? NONE - It's a hardware problem. 73, Alan. G4GNX ------ Original Message ------ From: "John Payne" To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Sent: 26/07/2021 14:18:13 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition >How many guitar players does it take to change a light bulb? > >12!! One to change the bulb and the other 11 to sit around saying "I can do that". > >73 de John W4CWZ > From eric at elecraft.com Mon Jul 26 12:08:59 2021 From: eric at elecraft.com (Eric Swartz) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:08:59 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Folks, we've drifted way off the core focus of this list with this OT thread. In the interest of keeping the SNR high here and relieving email overload fatigue for others, please take this thread off-list. Thread closed. 73, Eric List moderator etc.. *elecraft.com * On Sun, Jul 25, 2021 at 7:53 AM Richard Lawn wrote: > I think the answer to that joke is ?vibrato? though I heard it as the > difference between the saxophone and a chain saw! Though I hate to > disrespect my own instrument (Sax not chain saw ?) > > 73 > Rick, W2JAZ > -- > Sent from Gmail Mobile > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to eric.swartz at elecraft.com From kwroberson at yahoo.com Mon Jul 26 12:41:33 2021 From: kwroberson at yahoo.com (Ken Roberson) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:41:33 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] XV-144 References: <2085204754.1131172.1627317693524.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2085204754.1131172.1627317693524@mail.yahoo.com> Hello all, Anyone have a XV-144 for sale contact my via email - my email is good on QRZ - Thanks Ken K5DNL From elecraft.list at videotron.ca Mon Jul 26 14:05:51 2021 From: elecraft.list at videotron.ca (Tom) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:05:51 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency shifts of KX3 when selecting CW? Message-ID: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> Hi I don't recall this happening before, but if I am tuned to a signal lets say at 1.000 MHz in AM and then I switch to CW, the frequency display on the radio changes to 1.600 MHz. My K3 and KX2 do not do this. Is there a setting somewhere? I did drop my KX3 at one point recently so I am wondering if a button or worse was pressed. Thanks, Tom -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus From keith at elecraft.com Mon Jul 26 15:34:30 2021 From: keith at elecraft.com (Keith Trinity WE6R) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 12:34:30 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] NABBLE Message-ID: <7158563f-0c89-3176-c4ed-b336c821f5bb@elecraft.com> From don at w3fpr.com Mon Jul 26 15:52:08 2021 From: don at w3fpr.com (Don Wilhelm) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:52:08 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency shifts of KX3 when selecting CW? In-Reply-To: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> References: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> Message-ID: <041246b0-187b-8027-78db-0f4e49eaf6d6@w3fpr.com> Tom, As an experiment, try tuning the KX3 to a valid ham band like 160 meters in AM mode, then switch to CW. What happens? 1.000 MHz is in the middle of the AM broadcast band, so that is not a good example.? I am thinking perhaps this is built into the KX3 firmware to prevent transmitting CW on the AM broadcast band - but that is just a guess. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/26/2021 2:05 PM, Tom wrote: > Hi > I don't recall this happening before, but if I am tuned to a signal lets say > at 1.000 MHz in AM and then I switch to CW, the frequency display on the > radio changes to 1.600 MHz. > My K3 and KX2 do not do this. Is there a setting somewhere? > I did drop my KX3 at one point recently so I am wondering if a button or > worse was pressed. > Thanks, Tom > > From bruce.forsberg at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 01:31:18 2021 From: bruce.forsberg at gmail.com (Bruce Forsberg) Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 22:31:18 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 270V Failure In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Thanks to the 2 people who replied. Thanks to Keith VE7KW who had R16 (100 Ohm) SMD resistor fail on his PS board in his KPA500. I had the same problem here. R16 tested open. It does not appear to be cracked or burnt, just a failure. R16 appears to be a resistor that feeds the voltage multiplier circuit for the 270V line. Bottom line is my KPA500 is back in service. Bruce, WB6IZG On Sun, Jul 25, 2021 at 2:30 AM Bruce Forsberg wrote: > Today when using my KPA500 I switched it into operate mode from standby > and received an error message of 270V ERR. This is the first time I have > seen this error. I partially disassembled the amplifier and measured the > 270V voltage and it is 70V, which is close to what the HV voltage measured > on the front panel says. After finding some old outdated schematics on the > internet it looks like there is a diode capacitor voltage > multiplier circuit that takes the HV voltage of approx 70V and brings it up > to 270V. I am assuming I have lost one of the diodes in the chain. > Unfortunately Elecraft has used tiny diode packs and even put 2 of the 3 > packs between electrolytic capacitors on the board, which I will have to > remove. Has anyone else seen this problem with their KPA500? And how did > you go about fixing this? > > Thanks, > Bruce, WB6IZG > From paul at teulu.org Tue Jul 27 05:09:47 2021 From: paul at teulu.org (Paul Jewell) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:09:47 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency shifts of KX3 when selecting CW? In-Reply-To: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> References: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> Message-ID: <8a013cbf-07b6-fa5b-4908-877943ae86ec@teulu.org> I have this behaviour on my Yaesu Ft-897. If I set the CW modulation to 700 kHz, then it will move to 1.700 MHz. I thought this was "normal" behaviour, and I was afraid to ask about it (relatively new ham). I haven't tried to do the same on my KX3, but I will get it out and try it. I don't think this is due to dropping it - I think it is intentional to give you the correct tone for CW. Rgds., Paul On 26/07/2021 19:05, Tom wrote: > Hi > I don't recall this happening before, but if I am tuned to a signal lets say > at 1.000 MHz in AM and then I switch to CW, the frequency display on the > radio changes to 1.600 MHz. > My K3 and KX2 do not do this. Is there a setting somewhere? > I did drop my KX3 at one point recently so I am wondering if a button or > worse was pressed. > Thanks, Tom > > From pete.n4zr at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 10:20:36 2021 From: pete.n4zr at gmail.com (Pete Smith N4ZR) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:20:36 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Drift on 6 meters Message-ID: I've just started experimenting with WSJT-X on 6M, and notice that on the waterfall signals seem to drift slightly over the first 3-4 minutes.? It's a matter of just a few Hz, and seems to stop after that - I'm just wondering if this is normal or reason for any concern. -- 73, Pete N4ZR Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network web server at . For spots, please use your favorite "retail" DX cluster. From gordon.lapoint at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 10:41:20 2021 From: gordon.lapoint at gmail.com (Gordon LaPoint) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:41:20 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Drift on 6 meters In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9c53f358-3ae7-8f9a-26a6-c6bead165563@gmail.com> Most radios drift when first turned on, and stabilize after a warmup time. What radio? Gordon - N1MGO On 7/27/2021 10:20 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: > I've just started experimenting with WSJT-X on 6M, and notice that on > the waterfall signals seem to drift slightly over the first 3-4 > minutes.? It's a matter of just a few Hz, and seems to stop after that > - I'm just wondering if this is normal or reason for any concern. > From pete.n4zr at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 10:52:09 2021 From: pete.n4zr at gmail.com (Pete Smith N4ZR) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:52:09 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Drift on 6 meters In-Reply-To: <9c53f358-3ae7-8f9a-26a6-c6bead165563@gmail.com> References: <9c53f358-3ae7-8f9a-26a6-c6bead165563@gmail.com> Message-ID: <1fdeb9a7-1b3e-3aaf-ea25-332faf6d7bed@gmail.com> Yeah, you guys are right - it's the K3 with updated synthesizers 73, Pete N4ZR Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network web server at . For spots, please use your favorite "retail" DX cluster. On 7/27/2021 10:41 AM, Gordon LaPoint wrote: > Most radios drift when first turned on, and stabilize after a warmup > time. > > What radio? > > Gordon - N1MGO > > On 7/27/2021 10:20 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: >> I've just started experimenting with WSJT-X on 6M, and notice that on >> the waterfall signals seem to drift slightly over the first 3-4 >> minutes.? It's a matter of just a few Hz, and seems to stop after >> that - I'm just wondering if this is normal or reason for any concern. >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to pete.n4zr at gmail.com From graziano at roccon.com Tue Jul 27 11:15:28 2021 From: graziano at roccon.com (Graziano Roccon (IW2NOY)) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:15:28 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] Drift on 6 meters In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1e010329c19672fda39d0e9a35c633c7@roccon.com> Dunno why but is the P3 figure that is drifting, not the radio. Stay there and you will see the figure going left and at last stabilize, but the signal (audio and frequency) and the radio will remain exactly there. Happen only one time with a switch on from cold, after will never happen. A big mistery. Graziano iw2noy Il 27/07/2021 16:20 Pete Smith N4ZR ha scritto: > I've just started experimenting with WSJT-X on 6M, and notice that on > the waterfall signals seem to drift slightly over the first 3-4 > minutes.? It's a matter of just a few Hz, and seems to stop after that > - I'm just wondering if this is normal or reason for any concern. > > -- > 73, Pete N4ZR > Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network > web server at . > For spots, please use your favorite > "retail" DX cluster. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to graziano at roccon.com From mike.harris at horizon.co.fk Tue Jul 27 11:17:31 2021 From: mike.harris at horizon.co.fk (Mike Harris) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:17:31 -0300 Subject: [Elecraft] Tecsun portables Message-ID: Hi, Looking to replace my dead SW portable often used for RFI tracking. Tecsun seem to be popular. Any suggestions which model? Regards, Mike VP8NO From keith at elecraft.com Tue Jul 27 11:55:01 2021 From: keith at elecraft.com (Keith Trinity WE6R) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:55:01 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] NABBLE New Link! Message-ID: From d.cutter at ntlworld.com Tue Jul 27 12:09:19 2021 From: d.cutter at ntlworld.com (CUTTER DAVID) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:09:19 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters Message-ID: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. David G3UNA From keith at elecraft.com Tue Jul 27 12:14:04 2021 From: keith at elecraft.com (Keith Trinity WE6R) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:14:04 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] New Nabble link, trying again, http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/ Message-ID: <4f53330c-d028-c044-36cc-50687b56017a@elecraft.com> From paul.gacek at me.com Tue Jul 27 12:30:13 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:30:13 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: Hi David I think any answer is dependent on the station configuration. For example, if the M/2 station is sharing a single tribander (i.e. one on 20m and another on 15m) then I imagine filters are still essential as a tri-plexer will only provide so much isolation. Another example; If a less than optimal 2xn antenna switch is used (i.e. doesn?t provide excellent isolation) then filters can help to minimize interference. These observations are based on my limited experience building a portable SO2R station and separately a short time owning a Flex 6600M that had ?state of the art? internal filters. Reading the Flex manual seemed to suggest that all bets are off when power exceeds 100w and you want to transmit on one port and listen on another. Paul W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.blog > On Jul 27, 2021, at 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. > > I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. > > David G3UNA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at me.com From madelyn at elecraft.com Tue Jul 27 12:33:31 2021 From: madelyn at elecraft.com (Madelyn Gomez) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:33:31 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S options and upgrades Message-ID: Good morning. This is a notification that the K3/K3S options and upgrades page will be CLOSED as of 5:00 pm PDT today, July 27th. If you have been thinking about ordering any of these items, please do so before 5:00 pm today. Madelyn Gomez Elecraft Sales 125 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA. 831-763-4211 From scott at sigkill.org Tue Jul 27 12:38:40 2021 From: scott at sigkill.org (Scott Laird) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:38:40 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S options and upgrades In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: What does this mean for the KRX3A, which is still listed as eventually-orderable on the order page? On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 9:35 AM Madelyn Gomez wrote: > Good morning. > > This is a notification that the K3/K3S options and upgrades page will be > CLOSED as of 5:00 pm PDT today, July 27th. > > If you have been thinking about ordering any of these items, please do so > before 5:00 pm today. > > Madelyn Gomez > Elecraft Sales > 125 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA. > 831-763-4211 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to scott at sigkill.org > From nv4c.ian at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 12:44:00 2021 From: nv4c.ian at gmail.com (Ian Kahn) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:44:00 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S options and upgrades In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Madelyn, Thank you for the update. Does this mean, for those of us who already ordered, we can expect our upgrade kita/components soon? Thanks and 73, Ian Kahn, NV4C On Tue, Jul 27, 2021, 12:35 PM Madelyn Gomez wrote: > Good morning. > > This is a notification that the K3/K3S options and upgrades page will be > CLOSED as of 5:00 pm PDT today, July 27th. > > If you have been thinking about ordering any of these items, please do so > before 5:00 pm today. > > Madelyn Gomez > Elecraft Sales > 125 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA. > 831-763-4211 > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to nv4c.ian at gmail.com > From d.cutter at ntlworld.com Tue Jul 27 13:11:24 2021 From: d.cutter at ntlworld.com (CUTTER DAVID) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:11:24 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: <1519808232.470275.1627405884172@mail2.virginmedia.com> Hi Paul Thanks for those thoughts. I see your point re sharing a tri-bander and that looks like a severe case. Looking at the number of filters already in place and the low spurii expected of Elecraft gear, it looks worth considering to down-grade the extra filters. For instance, the KPA amplifier has low pass filters on its input and output, then the atu has a filtering effect. I wouldn't know what this adds up to, but when the W3NQN filters were designed, things were very different. 73 David G3UNA > On 27 July 2021 at 17:30 Paul GACEK wrote: > > > Hi David > > I think any answer is dependent on the station configuration. > > For example, if the M/2 station is sharing a single tribander (i.e. one on 20m and another on 15m) then I imagine filters are still essential as a tri-plexer will only provide so much isolation. > > Another example; If a less than optimal 2xn antenna switch is used (i.e. doesn?t provide excellent isolation) then filters can help to minimize interference. > > These observations are based on my limited experience building a portable SO2R station and separately a short time owning a Flex 6600M that had ?state of the art? internal filters. Reading the Flex manual seemed to suggest that all bets are off when power exceeds 100w and you want to transmit on one port and listen on another. > > Paul > W6PNG/M0SNA > www.nomadic.blog > > > On Jul 27, 2021, at 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > > > Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. > > > > I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. > > > > David G3UNA From k1whs at metrocast.net Tue Jul 27 13:45:11 2021 From: k1whs at metrocast.net (David Olean) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 13:45:11 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency shifts of KX3 when selecting CW? In-Reply-To: <8a013cbf-07b6-fa5b-4908-877943ae86ec@teulu.org> References: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> <8a013cbf-07b6-fa5b-4908-877943ae86ec@teulu.org> Message-ID: <27ad0c9d-6451-5b83-0ee4-6fa467075db8@metrocast.net> Hello Paul, I think you mean 700 Hz (not kHz) for the frequency.? You can set the pitch of the CW note on your radio to fit your own ears. Older rigs just picked a freq and you had to live with it. My old Kenwood TS-820S used an 800 Hz CW offset as did my later Ten Tec OMNI V (a great cw radio). I don't have a KX3 but I suspect it is like my K3. If you are getting older and, ahem, more refined, you might notice that you like a lower CW note. That can be set to your preference, so when? you tune to 14150.0? on SSB, the dial will indicate the zero beat frequency where the SSB sounds most natural.? Switching to CW will adjust the oscillator frequency to produce the correct offset beatnote that you selected and the actual display frequency will be offset by that amount. If your favorite CW note is 700 Hz, then the dial will indicate 14.1507 or possibly 14149.3 depending on CW or CW REVERSE buttons. To make sure that you are correctly positioned for a QSO, you can hit the SPOT button. This will produce a tone that is equal to your CW note preference. You can easily compare the other station's CW note with the SPOT note and adjust your VFO until they sound the same. Human ears are good at comparing tone differences easily to 1 Hz or so. When it sounds equal, you are properly positioned on the exact same frequency as the station you are calling. The new rigs are wonderful when compared to how things were in say 1960 or so. There was a reason novices hung QSL cards on their wall. A contact was an almost rare occurrence! Now we quibble over a few Hz! Dave K1WHS On 7/27/2021 5:09 AM, Paul Jewell wrote: > I have this behaviour on my Yaesu Ft-897. If I set the CW modulation > to 700 kHz, then it will move to 1.700 MHz. I thought this was > "normal" behaviour, and I was afraid to ask about it (relatively new > ham). I haven't tried to do the same on my KX3, but I will get it out > and try it. > > I don't think this is due to dropping it - I think it is intentional > to give you the correct tone for CW. > > Rgds., > Paul > > On 26/07/2021 19:05, Tom wrote: >> Hi >> I don't recall this happening before, but if I am tuned to a signal >> lets say >> at 1.000 MHz in AM and then I switch to CW, the frequency display on the >> radio changes to 1.600 MHz. >> My K3 and KX2 do not do this.? Is there a setting somewhere? >> I did drop my KX3 at one point recently so I am wondering if a button or >> worse was pressed. >> Thanks, Tom >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k1whs at metrocast.net From Mike.Carter at unh.edu Tue Jul 27 14:05:05 2021 From: Mike.Carter at unh.edu (Michael Carter) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:05:05 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters Message-ID: David, One need not have a "feeling" about the necessity of band pass filters. In addition to the concerns that Paul cited about isolation between ports in a triplexer or internal antenna port isolation in a transceiver, there are analytical methods to determine susceptibility to receiver damage and IMD. A receive-only bandpass filter, whether external or internal, must suppress the fundamental frequency of the other TX in a M/2 station sufficiently to prevent overload and IMD generation. Do a calculation: TX power (dBW or dBm) minus band pass filter attenuation in its stop band at the other TX frequency equals worst case RX input power due to other TX (obviously RX antenna proximity, orientation, and sensitivity reduction out of band also reduce unwanted fundamental TX signal). The receive-only band pass filter cannot attenuate the in-band harmonic of the other TX. One can estimate the harmonic level, say in a 40 meter/20 meter M/2 setup, using the transceiver and amplifier manufacturers' specifications. If that level is at most equivalent to a strong distant station's received signal power, then it is likely of no greater concern than those loud stations. A 1500 watt amplifier that just meets the FCC's spurious emission limit at its 2nd harmonic (43 dB or greater attenuation relative to fundamental) yields approximately +19 dBm at the TX antenna input. In-band harmonic level at the other M/2 receiver again depends on antenna factors, but those factors combined would need to provide another ~70 dB of attenuation of the TX harmonic just to produce an S9+20 dB interferer from the other M/2 station. 73, Mike, K8CN From da2sv at hotmail.com Tue Jul 27 14:17:57 2021 From: da2sv at hotmail.com (Jerome Svinicki) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:17:57 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] High SWR on KPA500 Message-ID: I have noticed that the SWR reading on one of my two KPA500s will show almost 1.8:1 while the KAT500 show 1:1. My other KPA500 does not exhibit this behavior. It would seem to me that if the KAT500 has tuned out the SWR and indicates a 1 to 1 match then the KPA-500 should also show a low SWR. And as I said my other KPA500 when I put it in-line with the same cables does not have this SWR inconsistent with the KAT-500. Do you have any ideas of something I can look for? 73's /Jerome /K8LF From k6ll.dave at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 14:40:27 2021 From: k6ll.dave at gmail.com (David Hachadorian) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:40:27 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Tecsun portables In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <759881d0-23c7-ef81-f056-dd103fdea5a5@gmail.com> I use a Tecsun PL-660 for RFI tracking.? It is very sensitive, and has two steps of attenuation.? It has a jack for an external antenna, which disables the built-in whip. Frequency coverage is good.? It has a BFO, which is helpful in listening to certain types of noise.? It has a headphone jack which is good for a noisy outdoor environment.? I use alkaline batteries, and battery life is very good.? In the AM band, the built-in ferrite antenna is very directional.? I've never wished for a feature that it did not have. Dave Hachadorian, Yuma, AZ On 7/27/2021 8:17 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote: > Hi, > > Looking to replace my dead SW portable often used for RFI tracking. > > Tecsun seem to be popular. Any suggestions which model? > > Regards, > > Mike VP8NO > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com -- Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, AZ From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Tue Jul 27 14:46:14 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:46:14 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Tecsun portables In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2e2db0e8-4adf-72f1-b509-d84c0569732f@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/27/2021 8:17 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote: > Tecsun seem to be popular. Any suggestions which model? The PL660 has the the AM aircraft band, which can be an advantage in direction finding. They are fine radios. 73, Jim K9YC From k6ll.dave at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 14:49:04 2021 From: k6ll.dave at gmail.com (David Hachadorian) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:49:04 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from being heard on other bands.? Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even without putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor on multiple bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter selection, fast-switching between bands is possible. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. > > I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. > > David G3UNA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com > . -- Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, AZ From ny9h at arrl.net Tue Jul 27 15:50:44 2021 From: ny9h at arrl.net (Bill Steffey NY9H) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 15:50:44 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: <7dec5537-2f57-6b14-a1e1-4cf79e975d3f@arrl.net> well said.... at field day? that famous SDR, very reasonably priced, abundant with features DID INDEED SPREAD wide band noise ..it was on 10 and wiped out all thru 80 meters on three other radios? of various makes. ( mine was a k3) ... maybe all we needed was to have bandpass filters for THAT radio ... but 4 band of good filters starts to move into the purchase price of that radio ? Sherwood has spoken of this...and hope he will be elaborating ...? as I hate being the bearer of bad news.... bill ny9h On 7/27/2021 2:49 PM, David Hachadorian wrote: > You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from > being heard on other bands.? Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even > without putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor > on multiple bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter > selection, fast-switching between bands is possible. > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Yuma, AZ > > > On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: >> Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still >> a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a >> 2-transmitter station?? For example on a Multi-2 contest >> environment.? For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between >> radio and amplifier. >> >> I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) >> might be all that is needed.? This is much easier to implement than a >> full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg >> for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. >> >> David G3UNA >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com >> . > From mbaileycrna at gmail.com Tue Jul 27 15:53:09 2021 From: mbaileycrna at gmail.com (Morgan Bailey) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 14:53:09 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: 80 to 100 dB band to band attenuation is necessary for a contest station. Reviewing Contest University the RA6LBS talk from a few years ago is the basis for this decision. He probably has the most experience in this field beside that of VA6AM. Both make great filters. Just having a filter is not enough. One needs a multiplexer in conjunction with the band pass filter to get to that DB level. One could stack 2 band pass filters and attain whatever is needed to get the job done. The multi switchable boxes that run about 500 to 900 dollars only give about 30 to maybe 40 db of rejection. It is just not enough to keep the other radio quiet and SAFE from front in overload and toasting the receiver circuits. I use transmitting band pass filters rated at 3500 watts on the output of my amp. This coupled with multiplexers on 160/80/40 and 20/15/10 makes for a multi two or an SO2R setup quiet on each radio. Between the multiplexer and associated band pass filters I am able to run 1.5KW 160-10 with an antenna farm that takes up 68 linear feet total for 160-10. Additionally, 160/80/40 are vertical polarized and 20/15/10 are horizontal polarized adding more rejection. It works and works well. One problem that many stations on a small lot have is ignoring Common Mode pick up off the shield of the coax. Grounding all shields before entering the shack and using 1:1 choke baluns is a necessary step to prevent interstation interference. Having radios with very low composite/Phase noise is necessary. I use FTDX101 radios in the shack. If radios are noisy and they raise the noise floor of the other radio during reception, about the only solution is to get a new radio that is clean on the output. Check out the Sherwood engineering pages for those ratings. While you are there, one may want to check out the ratings of ADC front ends vs Superhet front ends.Hybrid superhet/ADC front end receivers seem to be the best choice for this environment at the moment. RMDR and Close in blocking dynamic range are the magic numbers to review. 73, Morgan Bailey NJ8M BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on fire with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts. LOL On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 1:52 PM David Hachadorian wrote: > You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from being > heard on other bands. Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even without > putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor on multiple > bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter selection, > fast-switching between bands is possible. > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Yuma, AZ > > > On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a > call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter > station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + > KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. > > > > I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might > be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full > transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick > look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. > > > > David G3UNA > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com > > . > > -- > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Big Bear Lake, AZ > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to mbaileycrna at gmail.com From dave at nk7z.net Tue Jul 27 16:06:25 2021 From: dave at nk7z.net (Dave) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 13:06:25 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: <7dec5537-2f57-6b14-a1e1-4cf79e975d3f@arrl.net> References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> <7dec5537-2f57-6b14-a1e1-4cf79e975d3f@arrl.net> Message-ID: Bird makes a very good bandpass filter for the SDR radio you are speaking of... It gets rid of ALL phase noise on all bands at once. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 7/27/21 12:50 PM, Bill Steffey NY9H wrote: > well said.... > > at field day? that famous SDR, very reasonably priced, abundant with > features DID INDEED SPREAD wide band noise ..it was on 10 and wiped out > all thru 80 meters on three other radios? of various makes. ( mine was a > k3) ... > > maybe all we needed was to have bandpass filters for THAT radio ... but > 4 band of good filters starts to move into the purchase price of that radio > > ? Sherwood has spoken of this...and hope he will be elaborating ...? as > I hate being the bearer of bad news.... > > > bill ny9h > > > On 7/27/2021 2:49 PM, David Hachadorian wrote: >> You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from >> being heard on other bands.? Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even >> without putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor >> on multiple bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter >> selection, fast-switching between bands is possible. >> >> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL >> Yuma, AZ >> >> >> On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: >>> Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still >>> a call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a >>> 2-transmitter station?? For example on a Multi-2 contest >>> environment.? For instance K3S + KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between >>> radio and amplifier. >>> >>> I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) >>> might be all that is needed.? This is much easier to implement than a >>> full transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg >>> for a quick look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. >>> >>> David G3UNA >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to k6ll.dave at gmail.com >>> . >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to dave at nk7z.net From d.cutter at ntlworld.com Tue Jul 27 16:41:06 2021 From: d.cutter at ntlworld.com (CUTTER DAVID) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 21:41:06 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: <1612319358.475325.1627418466328@mail2.virginmedia.com> Thanks all for the great advice and the further reading. In my specific case of K3S + KPA500 + KAT500, is there no room to reduce the high performance W3NQM filters? I understand common mode filters and have made good versions of these from K9YC cookbook. They remain in circuit all the time, so that's easy, whilst NQN filters have to be replaced for each band change, so, even I want to have a quick peek at another band, it still takes minutes to swap around the filters with the other station. It's a painful loss of time and prone to getting it wrong. Building a lower specification filter set with relay switching would be easier. David G3UNA > On 27 July 2021 at 20:53 Morgan Bailey wrote: > > > 80 to 100 dB band to band attenuation is necessary for a contest station. > Reviewing Contest University the RA6LBS talk from a few years ago is the > basis for this decision. He probably has the most experience in this field > beside that of VA6AM. Both make great filters. Just having a filter is not > enough. One needs a multiplexer in conjunction with the band pass filter to > get to that DB level. One could stack 2 band pass filters and attain > whatever is needed to get the job done. The multi switchable boxes that run > about 500 to 900 dollars only give about 30 to maybe 40 db of rejection. It > is just not enough to keep the other radio quiet and SAFE from front in > overload and toasting the receiver circuits. I use transmitting band pass > filters rated at 3500 watts on the output of my amp. This coupled with > multiplexers on 160/80/40 and 20/15/10 makes for a multi two or an SO2R > setup quiet on each radio. Between the multiplexer and associated band pass > filters I am able to run 1.5KW 160-10 with an antenna farm that takes up 68 > linear feet total for 160-10. Additionally, 160/80/40 are vertical > polarized and 20/15/10 are horizontal polarized adding more rejection. It > works and works well. > > One problem that many stations on a small lot have is ignoring Common Mode > pick up off the shield of the coax. Grounding all shields before entering > the shack and using 1:1 choke baluns is a necessary step to prevent > interstation interference. > > Having radios with very low composite/Phase noise is necessary. I use > FTDX101 radios in the shack. If radios are noisy and they raise the noise > floor of the other radio during reception, about the only solution is to > get a new radio that is clean on the output. Check out the Sherwood > engineering pages for those ratings. While you are there, one may want to > check out the ratings of ADC front ends vs Superhet front ends.Hybrid > superhet/ADC front end receivers seem to be the best choice for this > environment at the moment. RMDR and Close in blocking dynamic range are the > magic numbers to review. > > 73, Morgan Bailey NJ8M > > BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE > Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on > fire with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 > watts. LOL > > > On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 1:52 PM David Hachadorian > wrote: > > > You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from being > > heard on other bands. Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even without > > putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor on multiple > > bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter selection, > > fast-switching between bands is possible. > > > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > > Yuma, AZ > > > > > > On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > > Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a > > call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter > > station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + > > KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. > > > > > > I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might > > be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full > > transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick > > look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. > > > > > > David G3UNA From paul.gacek at me.com Tue Jul 27 16:51:42 2021 From: paul.gacek at me.com (Paul GACEK) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 13:51:42 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: <1612319358.475325.1627418466328@mail2.virginmedia.com> References: <1612319358.475325.1627418466328@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: David I purchased blank PCBs from VA6AM along with the torroids with a view to building a switched filter set. Still on my list of ?want to do? and my motivation was driven by space reduction in my portable SO2R project. However I?ve somewhat learnt the hard way to be honest with myself upfront on time and effort versus paying an arm and a leg for a commercial solution. Paul > On Jul 27, 2021, at 1:42 PM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > ?Thanks all for the great advice and the further reading. > > In my specific case of K3S + KPA500 + KAT500, is there no room to reduce the high performance W3NQM filters? > > I understand common mode filters and have made good versions of these from K9YC cookbook. They remain in circuit all the time, so that's easy, whilst NQN filters have to be replaced for each band change, so, even I want to have a quick peek at another band, it still takes minutes to swap around the filters with the other station. It's a painful loss of time and prone to getting it wrong. Building a lower specification filter set with relay switching would be easier. > > David G3UNA > > >> On 27 July 2021 at 20:53 Morgan Bailey wrote: >> >> >> 80 to 100 dB band to band attenuation is necessary for a contest station. >> Reviewing Contest University the RA6LBS talk from a few years ago is the >> basis for this decision. He probably has the most experience in this field >> beside that of VA6AM. Both make great filters. Just having a filter is not >> enough. One needs a multiplexer in conjunction with the band pass filter to >> get to that DB level. One could stack 2 band pass filters and attain >> whatever is needed to get the job done. The multi switchable boxes that run >> about 500 to 900 dollars only give about 30 to maybe 40 db of rejection. It >> is just not enough to keep the other radio quiet and SAFE from front in >> overload and toasting the receiver circuits. I use transmitting band pass >> filters rated at 3500 watts on the output of my amp. This coupled with >> multiplexers on 160/80/40 and 20/15/10 makes for a multi two or an SO2R >> setup quiet on each radio. Between the multiplexer and associated band pass >> filters I am able to run 1.5KW 160-10 with an antenna farm that takes up 68 >> linear feet total for 160-10. Additionally, 160/80/40 are vertical >> polarized and 20/15/10 are horizontal polarized adding more rejection. It >> works and works well. >> >> One problem that many stations on a small lot have is ignoring Common Mode >> pick up off the shield of the coax. Grounding all shields before entering >> the shack and using 1:1 choke baluns is a necessary step to prevent >> interstation interference. >> >> Having radios with very low composite/Phase noise is necessary. I use >> FTDX101 radios in the shack. If radios are noisy and they raise the noise >> floor of the other radio during reception, about the only solution is to >> get a new radio that is clean on the output. Check out the Sherwood >> engineering pages for those ratings. While you are there, one may want to >> check out the ratings of ADC front ends vs Superhet front ends.Hybrid >> superhet/ADC front end receivers seem to be the best choice for this >> environment at the moment. RMDR and Close in blocking dynamic range are the >> magic numbers to review. >> >> 73, Morgan Bailey NJ8M >> >> BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE >> Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on >> fire with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 >> watts. LOL >> >> >>> On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 1:52 PM David Hachadorian >>> wrote: >>> >>> You need a filter on the TX radio to prevent its phase noise from being >>> heard on other bands. Just pressing PTT on the TX radio, even without >>> putting out any measurable power, will raise the noise floor on multiple >>> bands. With suitable band decoders driving filter selection, >>> fast-switching between bands is possible. >>> >>> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL >>> Yuma, AZ >>> >>> >>> On 7/27/2021 9:09 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: >>>> Given the improved performance of modern transceivers, is there still a >>> call for high specification W3NQN band pass filters in a 2-transmitter >>> station? For example on a Multi-2 contest environment. For instance K3S + >>> KPA + KAT. The filter fitted between radio and amplifier. >>>> >>>> I have the *feeling* that a receive-only filter (with tx bypass) might >>> be all that is needed. This is much easier to implement than a full >>> transmitter-rated set making fast switching between bands (eg for a quick >>> look around) very quick and easy from the keyboard, etc. >>>> >>>> David G3UNA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to paul.gacek at mac.com From louandzip at yahoo.com Tue Jul 27 17:17:11 2021 From: louandzip at yahoo.com (Louandzip) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 21:17:11 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] Tecsun portables In-Reply-To: <2e2db0e8-4adf-72f1-b509-d84c0569732f@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <2e2db0e8-4adf-72f1-b509-d84c0569732f@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: <1647628004.217371.1627420632031@mail.yahoo.com> I was considering something like this 50 KHz-200MHz Malahit SDR receiver for RFI hunting.? Spectrum display would be very useful.? I have no experience with it but it looks interesting. https://www.banggood.com/Ultra-thin-50KHz-200MHz-Malahit-SDR-Receiver-Malachite-DSP-Software-Defined-Radio-3_5-inch-Display-Battery-Inside-Nice-Sound-Black-400MHz~2GHz-p-1789700.html?cur_warehouse=CN&ID=6299154&rmmds=search Lou W7HV On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 12:47:07 PM MDT, Jim Brown wrote: On 7/27/2021 8:17 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote: > Tecsun seem to be popular. Any suggestions which model? The PL660 has the the AM aircraft band, which can be an advantage in direction finding. They are fine radios. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com From repoma6103 at aol.com Tue Jul 27 18:57:08 2021 From: repoma6103 at aol.com (Jim Weatherford) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 22:57:08 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] audio input level setting for FM packet References: <33903939.269566.1627426628177.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <33903939.269566.1627426628177@mail.yahoo.com> I've recently started using my K3 with internal 2m transverter for accessing the local emergency communications packet BBS system. I know for sideband digital modes, the recommendation is for 4 bars with the 5th flickering. Does this also apply to FM? I want to make sure I achieve nearly full deviation without over deviating, but do not have test equipment to measure. Also, any recommendations on a K3 compatible external transverter for 70cm are appreciated. Jim, WU6K From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Tue Jul 27 22:53:53 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 19:53:53 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: On 7/27/2021 12:53 PM, Morgan Bailey wrote: > 80 to 100 dB band to band attenuation is necessary for a contest station. That depends a LOT on the radios and the amps. > Reviewing Contest University the RA6LBS talk from a few years ago is the > basis for this decision. He probably has the most experience in this field > beside that of VA6AM. Both make great filters. Just having a filter is not > enough. One needs a multiplexer in conjunction with the band pass filter to > get to that DB level. One could stack 2 band pass filters and attain > whatever is needed to get the job done. The multi switchable boxes that run > about 500 to 900 dollars only give about 30 to maybe 40 db of rejection. That also depends a LOT on the boxes, and some are far better than others. See this study I did about 8 years ago for National Contest Journal. http://k9yc.com/BandpassFilterSurvey.pdf Several of the units are 10-20 dB better than that. It > is just not enough to keep the other radio quiet and SAFE from front in > overload and toasting the receiver circuits. I use transmitting band pass > filters rated at 3500 watts on the output of my amp. This is a very good way to do it. Most hams overlook the harmonics and IMD generated in power amps. This coupled with > multiplexers on 160/80/40 and 20/15/10 makes for a multi two or an SO2R > setup quiet on each radio. Between the multiplexer and associated band pass > filters I am able to run 1.5KW 160-10 with an antenna farm that takes up 68 > linear feet total for 160-10. Additionally, 160/80/40 are vertical > polarized and 20/15/10 are horizontal polarized adding more rejection. It > works and works well. > > One problem that many stations on a small lot have is ignoring Common Mode > pick up off the shield of the coax. Grounding all shields before entering > the shack YES! AND seriously bonding everything in the shack and the building that contains it. and using 1:1 choke baluns is a necessary step to prevent > interstation interference. Yes, it's quite important to have a SERIOUS common mode choke at the feedpoint of EVERY antenna. http://k9yc.com/2018Cookbook.pdf > > Having radios with very low composite/Phase noise is necessary. YES! At the last Visalia DX Convention, gave an overview talk on a dozen or so mechanisms that contribute to inter-station interference, and how to minimize each. It's here. http://k9yc.com/Multi-Station.pdf And W2VJN's book on the subject is excellent. 73, Jim K9YC From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Tue Jul 27 22:55:54 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 19:55:54 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Tecsun portables In-Reply-To: <1647628004.217371.1627420632031@mail.yahoo.com> References: <2e2db0e8-4adf-72f1-b509-d84c0569732f@audiosystemsgroup.com> <1647628004.217371.1627420632031@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <916910c6-3c21-bddc-218a-4c3e0c0eddc2@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/27/2021 2:17 PM, Louandzip wrote: > Spectrum display would be very useful. Yes, spectrum display is QUITE useful. 73, Jim K9YC From mbaileycrna at gmail.com Wed Jul 28 00:32:28 2021 From: mbaileycrna at gmail.com (Morgan Bailey) Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2021 23:32:28 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Band pass filters In-Reply-To: References: <1447613465.468472.1627402159731@mail2.virginmedia.com> Message-ID: When you buy RA6LBS filters each comes with a tracing by a spectrum analyzer showing the exact filter characteristics. On each of these that I own the tracing matches the Rigol with tracking generator. They really work well. I have a complete set of 500 watt filters from RA6LBS. They are sold by DXengineering. My other set is VA6AM they also provide 80 to 100 dB of rejection with a 3500 watt rating. The cost of those filters with switch, multiplexers and cabling is more expensive than many people have invested in their radio alone. In conclusion, investing in a heavy duty set of filters is cheaper than blowing up a radio. Plus, it gives one more options. 73, Morgan NJ8M BS + MS + $2.98 = COFFEE Real Life Experience = Priceless, says the man who set his back yard on fire with a breadboard tuner loading a 160 meter inverted L with 1000 watts. LOL On Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 9:55 PM Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/27/2021 12:53 PM, Morgan Bailey wrote: > > 80 to 100 dB band to band attenuation is necessary for a contest station. > > That depends a LOT on the radios and the amps. > > > Reviewing Contest University the RA6LBS talk from a few years ago is the > > basis for this decision. He probably has the most experience in this > field > > beside that of VA6AM. Both make great filters. Just having a filter is > not > > enough. One needs a multiplexer in conjunction with the band pass filter > to > > get to that DB level. One could stack 2 band pass filters and attain > > whatever is needed to get the job done. The multi switchable boxes that > run > > about 500 to 900 dollars only give about 30 to maybe 40 db of rejection. > > That also depends a LOT on the boxes, and some are far better than > others. See this study I did about 8 years ago for National Contest > Journal. http://k9yc.com/BandpassFilterSurvey.pdf Several of the units > are 10-20 dB better than that. > It > > is just not enough to keep the other radio quiet and SAFE from front in > > overload and toasting the receiver circuits. I use transmitting band pass > > filters rated at 3500 watts on the output of my amp. > > This is a very good way to do it. Most hams overlook the harmonics and > IMD generated in power amps. > This coupled with > > multiplexers on 160/80/40 and 20/15/10 makes for a multi two or an SO2R > > setup quiet on each radio. Between the multiplexer and associated band > pass > > filters I am able to run 1.5KW 160-10 with an antenna farm that takes up > 68 > > linear feet total for 160-10. Additionally, 160/80/40 are vertical > > polarized and 20/15/10 are horizontal polarized adding more rejection. It > > works and works well. > > > > One problem that many stations on a small lot have is ignoring Common > Mode > > pick up off the shield of the coax. Grounding all shields before entering > > the shack > > YES! AND seriously bonding everything in the shack and the building that > contains it. > > and using 1:1 choke baluns is a necessary step to prevent > > interstation interference. > > Yes, it's quite important to have a SERIOUS common mode choke at the > feedpoint of EVERY antenna. http://k9yc.com/2018Cookbook.pdf > > > > Having radios with very low composite/Phase noise is necessary. > > YES! > > At the last Visalia DX Convention, gave an overview talk on a dozen or > so mechanisms that contribute to inter-station interference, and how to > minimize each. It's here. http://k9yc.com/Multi-Station.pdf > > And W2VJN's book on the subject is excellent. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to mbaileycrna at gmail.com > From paul at teulu.org Wed Jul 28 05:21:47 2021 From: paul at teulu.org (Paul Jewell) Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:21:47 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Frequency shifts of KX3 when selecting CW? In-Reply-To: <27ad0c9d-6451-5b83-0ee4-6fa467075db8@metrocast.net> References: <005701d78248$dfdf79a0$9f9e6ce0$@videotron.ca> <8a013cbf-07b6-fa5b-4908-877943ae86ec@teulu.org> <27ad0c9d-6451-5b83-0ee4-6fa467075db8@metrocast.net> Message-ID: <344ed7a3-aeae-4521-35dd-df4fe24347e6@teulu.org> Oops - yes, I did mean 700Hz!! Thank you for correcting me! On 27/07/2021 18:45, David Olean wrote: > > Hello Paul, > > I think you mean 700 Hz (not kHz) for the frequency.? You can set the > pitch of the CW note on your radio to fit your own ears. Older rigs > just picked a freq and you had to live with it. My old Kenwood TS-820S > used an 800 Hz CW offset as did my later Ten Tec OMNI V (a great cw > radio). I don't have a KX3 but I suspect it is like my K3. If you are > getting older and, ahem, more refined, you might notice that you like > a lower CW note. That can be set to your preference, so when? you tune > to 14150.0? on SSB, the dial will indicate the zero beat frequency > where the SSB sounds most natural.? Switching to CW will adjust the > oscillator frequency to produce the correct offset beatnote that you > selected and the actual display frequency will be offset by that > amount. If your favorite CW note is 700 Hz, then the dial will > indicate 14.1507 or possibly 14149.3 depending on CW or CW REVERSE > buttons. > > To make sure that you are correctly positioned for a QSO, you can hit > the SPOT button. This will produce a tone that is equal to your CW > note preference. You can easily compare the other station's CW note > with the SPOT note and adjust your VFO until they sound the same. > Human ears are good at comparing tone differences easily to 1 Hz or > so. When it sounds equal, you are properly positioned on the exact > same frequency as the station you are calling. > > The new rigs are wonderful when compared to how things were in say > 1960 or so. There was a reason novices hung QSL cards on their wall. A > contact was an almost rare occurrence! Now we quibble over a few Hz! > > Dave K1WHS > > On 7/27/2021 5:09 AM, Paul Jewell wrote: >> I have this behaviour on my Yaesu Ft-897. If I set the CW modulation >> to 700 kHz, then it will move to 1.700 MHz. I thought this was >> "normal" behaviour, and I was afraid to ask about it (relatively new >> ham). I haven't tried to do the same on my KX3, but I will get it out >> and try it. >> >> I don't think this is due to dropping it - I think it is intentional >> to give you the correct tone for CW. >> >> Rgds., >> Paul >> >> On 26/07/2021 19:05, Tom wrote: >>> Hi >>> I don't recall this happening before, but if I am tuned to a signal >>> lets say >>> at 1.000 MHz in AM and then I switch to CW, the frequency display on >>> the >>> radio changes to 1.600 MHz. >>> My K3 and KX2 do not do this.? Is there a setting somewhere? >>> I did drop my KX3 at one point recently so I am wondering if a >>> button or >>> worse was pressed. >>> Thanks, Tom >>> >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to k1whs at metrocast.net From kimochun at gmail.com Wed Jul 28 08:19:26 2021 From: kimochun at gmail.com (Kimo Chun) Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 02:19:26 -1000 Subject: [Elecraft] K3/K3S options and upgrades Message-ID: I read the message (in Digest form) 15 minutes before the closeout period. I phoned Elecraft with a question. I'd already ordered parts on their "wish list" a long time ago. Apparently, Elecraft delayed the closing of the order period as some people had trouble determining what they needed or to prevent giving them that opportunity. This is my take. Now that it is closed the final tallies can be factored into parts orders to produce the products ordered. Though they've been in contact with suppliers on this it is subject to current conditions. I was told it would be a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks before they would be shipping. Of course, this is a generalized statement. Some parts are possibly already in stock. Parts receipt may vary wildly but, obviously, you don't build anything until all the parts are in house or at a sub-contracted board builder. Otherwise, all you'd be doing is delaying production of other products...like, possibly, K4's? hi. I shall wait, patiently, for my order. I'm just happy I had the opportunity. 73's Kimo KH7U From eseeliger at earthlink.net Wed Jul 28 12:55:26 2021 From: eseeliger at earthlink.net (Edward Seeliger) Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 16:55:26 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] T1 IC705 interface cable Message-ID: <69334536-4e96-e3dc-a845-96a3b352cb73@earthlink.net> Is there an update on availability of the interface cable to connect the T1 tuner to the Icom IC705? Edd - KD5M From aa4lr at arrl.net Wed Jul 28 14:08:35 2021 From: aa4lr at arrl.net (Bill Coleman) Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:08:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Drift on 6 meters In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <595C0455-1F45-4314-9607-31E8323CBCA1@arrl.net> HA! I use both my K3 and my K2 on FT8. The K3 is pretty rock solid, even on 6m. Yea, a few Hz a few minutes after turning on, especially if you start transmitting from a cold rig. The K2, on the other hand, drifts a LOT more. Start transmitting, and it will eventually shift about 20-50 Hz as it heats up. Yes, I do have the PLL temperature compensation mod installed. Once warmed up, it may drift about 5-10 Hz after that as it heats and cools. Even with this magnitude of drift, FT8 works just fine and it is not a concern. > On Jul 27, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: > > I've just started experimenting with WSJT-X on 6M, and notice that on the waterfall signals seem to drift slightly over the first 3-4 minutes. It's a matter of just a few Hz, and seems to stop after that - I'm just wondering if this is normal or reason for any concern. > > -- > 73, Pete N4ZR > Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network > web server at . > For spots, please use your favorite > "retail" DX cluster. > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aa4lr at arrl.net Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 From n6kr at elecraft.com Wed Jul 28 16:35:53 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:35:53 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] T1 IC705 interface cable In-Reply-To: <69334536-4e96-e3dc-a845-96a3b352cb73@earthlink.net> References: <69334536-4e96-e3dc-a845-96a3b352cb73@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <3000A79A-DF63-41E4-AB95-F316FF5A6F99@elecraft.com> Some issues came up during testing. We'll post more details when we get closer. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jul 28, 2021, at 9:55 AM, Edward Seeliger wrote: > > Is there an update on availability of the interface cable to connect the T1 tuner to the Icom IC705? > Edd - KD5M > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com From albin.stigo at gmail.com Thu Jul 29 09:25:55 2021 From: albin.stigo at gmail.com (=?UTF-8?B?QWxiaW4gU3RpZ8O2?=) Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2021 15:25:55 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 chassis screws Message-ID: Hello, I'm looking for some chassis screws for my K2. I think they're 4-40 x 3/16 black pan head Phillips. Does anyone know of an EU source? 73 Albin SM6WJM From ny9h at arrl.net Thu Jul 29 11:26:20 2021 From: ny9h at arrl.net (Bill Steffey NY9H) Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:26:20 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] NOT ENOUGH COM PORTS ???? Message-ID: WITH MY NEW k4?? have no need for this CAT router. ? works great with K3? providing provides extra RS232 ports & USB ?? for logging, amplifier ETC,,, * Radio RS-232 to USB interface * 3 additional RS-232 ports to route radio data to your amp and other accessories * Selectable baud rate * Forwards RTS and DTR from all ports to radio * Compatible with Kenwood, Elecraft, and Yaesu FT-2000 and later radios. https://www.arraysolutions.com/cat-router http://www.hamation.com/CATRouter.html ?175 SHIPPED TO USA.... TNX BILL From chandlerusm at gmail.com Fri Jul 30 09:12:13 2021 From: chandlerusm at gmail.com (Chuck Chandler) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:12:13 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500/KPA500 with IC-7610? Message-ID: I'm currently running the K3S with the KAT500/KPA500 combo. It works great. I'm starting to look at what my next rig might be, and have tentatively narrowed it down to the K4 and IC-7610. I know the K4 will integrate with the KAT/KPA just as well as the K3 does. How about the IC-7610? Are there significant drawbacks in the integration? How well does the iCom handle things like training the KAT for a new antenna via the rig TUNE button, or changing power levels between barefoot and QRO, for example? Are power settings per band supported? Any advice appreciated! 73 de Chuck, WS1L chandlerusm at gmail.com From n6kr at elecraft.com Fri Jul 30 11:14:02 2021 From: n6kr at elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:14:02 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K4 Highlights #3: DX LIST mini-app Message-ID: This series of articles will also soon be available on our K4 web page. * * * * * K4 Highlights #3: DX LIST mini-app No doubt many K4 ops have an encyclopedic knowledge of DX entities -- every prefix, whether countries or territories still exist, whether you can get there without military or divine intervention, etc. For the rest of us, there's the K4's built-in DX list. This is an Elecraft-curated list, cross-checked against several other reputable sources. The next time you hear a "new one" on the air, try popping up the K4's DX list rather than scouring the internet or rooting through piles to find that ARRL reference you ordered in 1972. Ours is right there at your fingertips. Steps: 1. Tap Fn. 2. Tap DX LIST. 3. Scroll the list with VFO A or the up/down arrows, or... tap the magnifying glass icon to do a text search. If more than one hit is found during a text search, the up/down arrows go into hit-navigation mode, as indicated by the magnifying glass reversing colors. This allows you to jump from one match to the next quickly, without scrolling. This navigation technique is used in other cases as well. In fact, the DX LIST feature is just one example of a mini-app running on the internal Linux module. Others include the software updater and the built-in owner's manual. With virtually unlimited code space, we'll be adding other mini-apps in future releases. Important Notes: 1. Please let us know if something is missing from the DX LIST or is inaccurate. We try to stay up to date, but "DX entity" is still a moving target even in the 21st century. 2. If you see a large, flashing, red asterisk next to a prefix, it's one I haven't worked yet. Please contact me straight away! 73, Wayne N6KR From phystad at mac.com Fri Jul 30 12:43:16 2021 From: phystad at mac.com (Phil Hystad) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:43:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 & KX3 with KPA500/KAT500 Message-ID: <2FE3D919-C0E8-4116-9270-407522AFE380@mac.com> I currently run a full K-line (K3/P3 -> KPA500 -> KAT500) and I have a KX3/PX3 with KXPA100 as my backup and portable radio. When I first got my KX3 I wanted to use it with the KPA500 but at the time, as far as I remember, it was not possible without some fiddling of cables (physical switching) or operating one of the radios with less then full functionality on the interface. Is this still true? Ideally I would want to cable up the two radios to operate with full Elecraft intended functionality without having the need to unplug/plug cables or switch cables. Today I see commercial dual RF input amplifiers that enable this sort of operation. It is also possible with a number of third party linear amplifiers but this means dropping some of the nice features that Elecraft has enabled for automatic band selection, VOX, and other operations. Operating with one of the radios fully in off position is fine with me in such a dual configuration. Can this be done and if so has this been written up or documented someplace? 73, phil, K7PEH From radiok4ia at gmail.com Fri Jul 30 12:53:30 2021 From: radiok4ia at gmail.com (Buck) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:53:30 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500/KPA500 with IC-7610? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I am running that combo now.? Plug a Ten-a-Tuner ($10) from W2ENY.com into the antenna tuner jack on the back of the 7610 or 7300.? When you push the rig's tune button it will send a 10w signal for about 8 seconds.? The KAT500 reads the frequency and makes the switch also sending the info to the KPA500. You have to manually reduce the drive power from the 7610 or the amp will fault when you transmit. It is not as elegant as the Elecraft system but it works reasonably well.? I was told there was a cable that would connect the 7610 but I could not get my home-brew one to work.? If someone can point to a source, I would appreciate it. Buck, K4IA Honor Roll 8BDXCC Author EasyWayHamBooks.com License and Operating Manuals On 7/30/2021 9:12 AM, Chuck Chandler wrote: > I'm currently running the K3S with the KAT500/KPA500 combo. It works > great. > > I'm starting to look at what my next rig might be, and have tentatively > narrowed it down to the K4 and IC-7610. I know the K4 will integrate with > the KAT/KPA just as well as the K3 does. > > How about the IC-7610? Are there significant drawbacks in the > integration? How well does the iCom handle things like training the KAT > for a new antenna via the rig TUNE button, or changing power levels > between barefoot and QRO, for example? Are power settings per band > supported? > > Any advice appreciated! > > 73 de Chuck, WS1L > > chandlerusm at gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to radiok4ia at gmail.com From wa2lbi at gmail.com Fri Jul 30 13:41:29 2021 From: wa2lbi at gmail.com (Ken Winterling) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:41:29 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500/KPA500 with IC-7610? In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Chuck, I, too, have been using an IC-7610 with the KAT500/KPA500 combination for several years. My IC-7610 TUNER jack is connected to the TUNE jack on the rear of the KAT500 via a LDG Electronics IC-PAC-6 cable. While the TUNE button on the IC-7610 or the TUNE button on the KAT500 activates the IC-7610 10W tune function and causes the KAT500 to tune, the Elecraft KAT500 manual stated "If a tune cycle is performed, 20 watts or more will produce more accurate tuning". My procedure is to switch to RTTY mode on the IC-7610 and key the rig. The KAT500 matches the load and I return the rig to the previous mode. This literally takes only a few seconds. Yes, the TUNE button works but I have found that sometimes my method produces a better match. Be sure to follow the KAT500 "training" procedure to store your various bands and frequencies in the tuner so they can be quickly recalled. As has been mentioned, you have to manually adjust your output as you switch between the amp and full power. I have a Brother P-Touch label on the amp to remind me about max power input. As for obtaining a tuner cable, you can get one from LDG, and other vendors. The IC-PAC-6 cable is 6' long while the IC-PAC cable is 14" long. https://ldgelectronics.com/index.php/products/accessories/cables/ GL & 73! Ken WA2LBI On Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 12:55 PM Buck wrote: > I am running that combo now. Plug a Ten-a-Tuner ($10) from W2ENY.com > into the antenna tuner jack on the back of the 7610 or 7300. When you > push the rig's tune button it will send a 10w signal for about 8 > seconds. The KAT500 reads the frequency and makes the switch also > sending the info to the KPA500. > > You have to manually reduce the drive power from the 7610 or the amp > will fault when you transmit. > > It is not as elegant as the Elecraft system but it works reasonably > well. I was told there was a cable that would connect the 7610 but I > could not get my home-brew one to work. If someone can point to a > source, I would appreciate it. > > Buck, K4IA > Honor Roll > 8BDXCC > Author EasyWayHamBooks.com > License and Operating Manuals > > On 7/30/2021 9:12 AM, Chuck Chandler wrote: > > I'm currently running the K3S with the KAT500/KPA500 combo. It works > > great. > > > > I'm starting to look at what my next rig might be, and have tentatively > > narrowed it down to the K4 and IC-7610. I know the K4 will integrate > with > > the KAT/KPA just as well as the K3 does. > > > > How about the IC-7610? Are there significant drawbacks in the > > integration? How well does the iCom handle things like training the KAT > > for a new antenna via the rig TUNE button, or changing power levels > > between barefoot and QRO, for example? Are power settings per band > > supported? > > > > Any advice appreciated! > > > > 73 de Chuck, WS1L > > > > chandlerusm at gmail.com > > From n7za99 at gmail.com Fri Jul 30 13:59:16 2021 From: n7za99 at gmail.com (Bruce Wade) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 10:59:16 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] KCOMM for K3 Message-ID: Has anyone did a fix for 2121 date. It says that it is invadid Bruce Wade From jim at audiosystemsgroup.com Fri Jul 30 15:36:06 2021 From: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:36:06 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 & KX3 with KPA500/KAT500 In-Reply-To: <2FE3D919-C0E8-4116-9270-407522AFE380@mac.com> References: <2FE3D919-C0E8-4116-9270-407522AFE380@mac.com> Message-ID: <917d0bdf-59f1-0eec-44e0-b5c607e32dfa@audiosystemsgroup.com> On 7/30/2021 9:43 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote: > Can this be done and if so has this been written up or documented someplace? The KAT500, KPA500, and KPA1500 have excellent frequency sensing, so nothing more than a SPDT coax switch is required. I suspect that the key lines from the KX3 and K3 can be paralleled. For many years, I've run the Key inputs of a KPA500 (and now KPA1500) wired in parallel. In my station, a K3 is switched between an 87A and a KPA1500. I'm doing it with a pair of Tohtsu SPDT coax relays on input and output. Before the KPA1500, the KPA500 gave me 500W on 6M, while the 87A was the HF contesting amp. Now the 87A is standby. 73, Jim K9YC From wa2lbi at gmail.com Fri Jul 30 15:49:02 2021 From: wa2lbi at gmail.com (Ken Winterling) Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2021 15:49:02 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 & KX3 with KPA500/KAT500 In-Reply-To: <917d0bdf-59f1-0eec-44e0-b5c607e32dfa@audiosystemsgroup.com> References: <2FE3D919-C0E8-4116-9270-407522AFE380@mac.com> <917d0bdf-59f1-0eec-44e0-b5c607e32dfa@audiosystemsgroup.com> Message-ID: I use this four position AV switch to select the keying line. Since it can switch three connections (L/R audio, video) you can get creative. Although I don't use ALC it could also be switched along with the keying line. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KXVBB3Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Ken WA2LBI On Fri, Jul 30, 2021 at 3:37 PM Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/30/2021 9:43 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote: > > Can this be done and if so has this been written up or documented > someplace? > > The KAT500, KPA500, and KPA1500 have excellent frequency sensing, so > nothing more than a SPDT coax switch is required. I suspect that the key > lines from the KX3 and K3 can be paralleled. For many years, I've run > the Key inputs of a KPA500 (and now KPA1500) wired in parallel. > > In my station, a K3 is switched between an 87A and a KPA1500. I'm doing > it with a pair of Tohtsu SPDT coax relays on input and output. Before > the KPA1500, the KPA500 gave me 500W on 6M, while the 87A was the HF > contesting amp. Now the 87A is standby. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to wa2lbi at gmail.com > From martinjuhe at mac.com Sat Jul 31 03:36:54 2021 From: martinjuhe at mac.com (Martin Juhe) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 08:36:54 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest Message-ID: <16CEE827-BCE5-47C8-846C-BF3049375D7D@mac.com> After many years you have stopped sending me this. Is there any reason? Please restart sending? Best Regards & 73, Martin Juhe M0XJP Epone House, 75 Pondcroft Road, Knebworth, Herts SG3 6DE +44 7973 793770 See M0XJP & 2E0MJD on QRZ.com No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced! Sent from my iPad Pro From kd8rqe at aol.com Sat Jul 31 09:18:45 2021 From: kd8rqe at aol.com (kd8rqe at aol.com) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 13:18:45 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Elecraft] WTB P3SVGA Board References: <152120470.992336.1627737525821.ref@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <152120470.992336.1627737525821@mail.yahoo.com> I understand Elecraft no longer sells the P3SVGA Board for the K3/K3s. I'm looking for the board and associated cabling for a K3 if anyone has one they would be willing to part with. Thanks,Mike KD8RQE From paul at hintlink.com Sat Jul 31 12:18:17 2021 From: paul at hintlink.com (Paul Evans W4/VP9KF) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 12:18:17 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] KCOMM for K3 Message-ID: <4325ab20-6a1e-0691-c37e-33f02cd3e2f8@hintlink.com> I downloaded the source code (still available on g4ilo.com). I don't have any Elecraft gear, but you might want to try recompiling after changing this section in the main .pas file (environment is Lazarus/Pascal): function ValidDate(d: string): boolean; begin Result := (Length(d) = 10) and (d[5] = DateSeparator) and (d[8] = DateSeparator) and Between(StrToIntDef(Copy(d,1,4),-1),1950,2020) and Between(StrToIntDef(Copy(d,6,2),-1),1,12) and Between(StrToIntDef(Copy(d,9,2),-1),1,31); end; Don't know why the limit of 2020. It may be a feature of the Pascal function. It may not. The same limit existed in the VOAProp code that Julian G4ILO also wrote. Unfortunately it's some time since he became SK, but somebody with the time and the tools might be able to dig it out to re-compile the code and might succeed. He did hint that it was quite a job under either Linux or Windows (and we're talking about the Windows 7 era, hinted in the source code comments). Any takers!? From k2vco.vic at gmail.com Sat Jul 31 14:10:21 2021 From: k2vco.vic at gmail.com (Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 21:10:21 +0300 Subject: [Elecraft] KCOMM for K3 In-Reply-To: <4325ab20-6a1e-0691-c37e-33f02cd3e2f8@hintlink.com> References: <4325ab20-6a1e-0691-c37e-33f02cd3e2f8@hintlink.com> Message-ID: From kevinr at coho.net Sat Jul 31 23:08:46 2021 From: kevinr at coho.net (kevin) Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2021 20:08:46 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement Message-ID: <6e75ca30-f968-0b6d-9dac-30da0f0f5900@coho.net> Good Evening, ?? This week began with another bird mystery.? Outside of the two migration seasons the species mix remains stable.? Hearing a new call in the middle of summer is unusual.? It sounded like a rusty pump.? I started dredging through my Midwestern sound memories. Those mimic birds are a long way from here.? This call was repeated about once a minute.? The clear tones, with few harmonics, eliminated all of my list.? I kept watch with eyebrows furrowed.? Then a Steller's Jay hopped out on a limb and gave out the call.? Normal bird with an unusual call.? The mystery was quickly solved but I don't know how I have missed it before. ? There was one morning of fog and sporadic rain this morning. Other than that it has been very dry.? Yesterday was the first time I have smelled smoke this year.? All afternoon the sun was medium orange.? I first noticed when I saw my begonias glowing. The leaves seemed an odd color but the blossoms were bright.? The sun has also been sporadic.? Blank in fact, with solar flux dropping.? Even the CMEs lack focus and vigor.? But low activity means the bands won't have a lot of hissing.? Summer storms are another matter. Please join us on (or near): 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) ? 7047 kHz at 0000z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday) ?? 73, ????? Kevin. KD5ONS - Thursday a large vulture was ridge soaring over my house.? I kept telling myself he was looking for something else.