Posts Tagged ‘Elecraft’
Finer than a frog’s hair split twice
December 29th, 2015 | 
Author: Elecraft AF-1 Audio Filter Kit
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| Elecraft AF-1 Audio Filter Kit |
Building the kit
Performance
Summary
Win4K3suite added to shack.
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| Win4kSuite up and running |
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| P3 on the monitor |
Time to get in Line
Excitement in the shack! We’ve had a new addition. I have had my Elecraft K3 for quite a while. Nothing but positive words about it. It has never let me down.
We’ve all heard about the K-Line. I am assuming that the term K-Line is an omage to the Collins S-Line.
Through my research of MARS, I know that the Collins S-Line was the choice of MARS stations. Collins even had a repair shop located at the major air base outside of Saigon.
Although I have never operated any Collins gear, from what I’ve read it was built like a tank but clearly was designed to have aesthetic appeal. Elecraft is aiming to achieve the same.
I’ve started my attempt at building my K-line with the addition of the Elecraft amp and tuner. Both easily interface with each other and the K3. This allows for seamless band switching and tuning.
While only a 500 watt amplifier, I have already noticed an notable increase in my ability to make contacts and get to the top of the pileup. Band conditions helped, I’m sure – but it was still enjoyable making contacts with South Africa, Findland, the Canary Islands, and Aruba. Stateside contacts have also seemed to be easier to make with a little extra punch.
My CQ WW CW contest overview.
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| The QRP setup |
Since I am operating QRP and using small MFJ loop antenna on the balcony my operating style was as follows
- I Use my VFO B to save a strong DX station that at the time has a huge pileup going. This stops me from wasting time trying to break the pile. Better to come back when the crazy pileup is gone. This worked great when I came across a Senegal station.
- Even when a station is at an S2 level but is just calling and listening my 5 watts can and did many times make it through for a contact.
- I don't use a spotting network as I found most of these stations have a huge pileup but I do have an Elecraft P3. Using some hardware and software my P3 is seen on a 19 inch monitor and I am able to point and click on signals. My K3 then moves to that signal this allows me to see the activity on the band and Search and pounce these stations.
- When possible stay with a band such as 15m were my MFJ loop does not need to be retuned at all across the whole CW portion.
- Stick with my 250hz Inrad 8 pole CW filter so I can get between tight signals and only hear the op I want to contact.
In my post I am going to go into detail about my software I am now using and finding to be great for contesting and general QSO's It's now time to grab some eats and relax.
Curing amnesia in the 10 MHz GPS reference
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| Just good enough 10 MHz GPS reference with u blox Neo-7M GPS module to the upper right, 10 MHz output buffer lower right, USB interface to the upper left, CR2032 lithium battery center left, GPS antenna in the center, and SMA output connector lower left. |
My “just good enough 10 MHz GPS reference” which drives the external clock input on my Elecraft K3 kept losing its configuration if power was off for a day or so. I have therefore fitted a CR2032 3V lithium battery as seen to the left in this image.
It is connected in series with a 1N4148 diode in order to prevent attempts at charging the lithium cell. The connection goes to pin 22 (V_BCKP) as described by G4ZFQ on his website. The diode is visible to the upper left of the battery.
With this, I consider the 10 MHz reference to be finished.
Other related posts:
Curing amnesia on the 10 MHz GPS reference
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| Just good enough 10 MHz GPS reference with u blox Neo-7M GPS module to the upper right, 10 MHz output buffer lower right, USB interface to the upper left, CR2032 lithium battery center left, GPS antenna in the center, and SMA output connector lower left. |
My just good enough 10 MHz GPS reference which drives the external clock input on my Elecraft K3 kept losing its configuration if power was off for a day or so. I have therefore fitted a CR2032 3V lithium battery as seen to the left in this image.
It is connected in series with a 1N4148 diode in order to prevent attempts at charging the lithium cell. The connection goes to pin 22 (V_BCKP) as described by G4ZFQ on his website. The diode is visible to the upper left of the battery.
With this, I consider the 10 MHz reference to be finished.
Earlier related posts:
K1 Sold
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| Elecraft K1 |
Today I will get my K1 off to its new owner in Holland. It worked well, but I have not used it since before my stroke. I prefer that someone has it who will use it.
There is one minor fault (which has just occurred) in that the menu button no longer seems to work as it did. I think this is a minor fault and I have declared this to the new owner, who still wants it.
In the past the rig has been used to work lots of DX including the USA on 40, 30, 20 and 15m. The rig is a 4-band version with internal auto-ATU. The K1 is a decent little radio.
