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Re: Suggestion
Randy Farmer W8FN
AACK! Typo got me. Make the line below "PstRotatorAz will also let you interface serial
port controlled ROTATORS."
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Sorry about that confusing sentence. 73... Randy, W8FN
On 1/19/2021 5:34 PM, Randy Farmer W8FN
wrote:
GHE uses the UDP broadcasts from N1MM to receive frequency information. You're going to need some mechanism to broadcast the data in N1MM format when N1MM isn't running. You may be able to find a Raspberry Pi or Arduino setup that can query the radio and do the UDP broadcasts. I ended up going with a software solution.
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Re: Suggestion
Randy Farmer W8FN
GHE uses the UDP broadcasts from N1MM to
receive frequency information. You're going to need some mechanism
to broadcast the data in N1MM format when N1MM isn't running. You may be able to find a
Raspberry Pi or Arduino setup that can query the radio and do
the UDP broadcasts. I ended up going with a software solution.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
In my case, I needed to interface DX4WIN (my normal daily logging program) to my GHE system. After some research, I ended up using PstRotatorAz to do the job. PstRotatorAz reads the radio frequency information from DX4WIN via the SteppIR interface over a virtual COM cable and then broadcasts it in the proper format on the same UDP channels that N1MM uses. When I close DX4WIN and open N1MM, PstRotatorAz no longer receives data and ceases its broadcasts. N1MM then provides the information required for GHE to track the radio frequency. It's not necessary to close PstRotatorAz when switching between DX4WIN and N1MM+. PstRotatorAz will also let you interface serial port controlled radios. I know this is a complex setup, but once you get it up and running it's extremely stable. Hope this helps. 73... Randy, W8FN
On 1/19/2021 4:09 PM, N2TK, Tony via
groups.io wrote:
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Re: Suggestion
N2TK, Tony
Hi Don, I am trying to get my Green Heron Everywhere to track my K3’s frequency. I wonder if VSPS could interface so that from GHE I could set up a port to see the K3? I am in a totally unknown area here. On the GHE all I see to interface for software control is N1MM, N3FJP and Win-Test. Tnx for any feedback N2TK, Tony
From: Elecraft-K3@groups.io <Elecraft-K3@groups.io> On Behalf Of Don Solberg
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:23 AM To: Elecraft-K3@groups.io Subject: Re: [Elecraft-K3] Suggestion
There already is a solution for this that I have been using for several years. VSPE software can create a TCP client and a TCP server. It works very well.
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Re: K3s USB failure
Art Greenberg
Thanks Dave. Ouch! My shack is in an enclosed pole barn. It has its own electrical service. My cable Internet service comes to the house, and I have a gigabit fiber link between the house and the barn. So the only points of entry for lightning induced surges are the antenna system and the electrical service, and currents induced in the station wiring from a strike that's close enough to do that. I'm in north-central Florida. We have plenty of thunderstorms during the warmer months so my lightning protection system is tested frequently. So far, so good. But $50 for another layer to protect the radio's USB port seems a no-brainer, as long as it does not negatively impact USB performance. -- Art Greenberg WA2LLN art@...
On Tue, Jan 19, 2021, at 12:19, David Mackey wrote:
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Re: K3 buttons erratic behaviour
Hi Martin;
On the K3, it is usually on old serial numbers where the push-button switches in the 4 small encoders "leak" resistance and disrupt the resistance-matrix for button pushes. What is your serial number? Do the 4 encoders have a smooth or granular feel when turning? Go into SW TEST in config menu and turn to "Scn Adc", then push the 4 encoder button switches. You should get a steady reading on each, like; "2 040", 3 040, 1 040 and 0 040. If not, replace all 4. Dirty contacts usually just make them hard to push, (but can also cause wrong commands). It requires the whole "Rubber Switch Array" to be replaced, part # E100200. It is fairly involved in getting the old buttons, sticky layers off. Make SURE you don't touch the LCD with any cleaning liquid as it will wick in and damage it! (been there, hi hi). The KPA500 has physical switches, you may have a bad one. Give me more details. Keith WE6R Elecraft K3 Tech.
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Re: K3s USB failure
David Mackey
Hi Art,
I don’t know about this device specifically, but my philosophy when it comes to lightning is to take all the precautions you can. I also have a very extensive grounding system, however a nearby strike at a neighbors found its way onto the cable system and came through my internet modem (had to be replaced), router (replaced), shack PC (new motherboard) and took out the USB connection of my amp. The extensive grounding system successfully guarded the RF chain, but not the Internet. Since then I physically disconnect the cable feeding the network switch in the shack and if I have enough warning the cable feeding the modem. However, measures like the one you describe might be ideal for situations when I’m not available to disconnect things.
I think I would also look for a device that protects the entire network.
Just some thoughts
73 Dave K1KA
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Re: K3s USB failure
Art Greenberg
I have done everything I can (I think) to prevent those things. Except possibly (a), I'm just not sure how one might prevent that. I do have a pretty extensive lightning ground system, and its bonded to the mains ground. And All of my equipment is connected to that ground. I've not (yet) had an issue with the USB port in my K3 - or anything else. But as I'm prone to over engineering everything, I cannot help but think an optical isolator would not hurt. I'm wondering if that is wrong? -- Art Greenberg WA2LLN art@...
On Tue, Jan 19, 2021, at 11:40, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
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Re: K3s USB failure
A question in which I'm not clear as to the cause of the failure. A few thoughts: (a) Nearby lightning strikes inducing current into the
cables/wiring, namely between the radio and computer. (b) Difference in potential between the computer and the radio. (c) Static discharge, more likely in Winter where humidity is
low. (d) Doing hot plugging and unplugging of the USB cables I'm sure there are many more instances or causes. From my
viewpoint, the above items can be easily prevented. 73 Bob, K4tAX
On 1/19/2021 9:14 AM, Art Greenberg
wrote:
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Re: K3s USB failure
Art Greenberg
I've noticed a few posts about failures in the K3/K3S USB port. Would something like this be worthwhile as a preventive measure? -- Art Greenberg WA2LLN art@...
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Re: K3s USB failure
Thanks to all for the suggestions. Jim, I'll make a posting on that reflector. I'm in digest mode so it's a bit of hassle but will do.
The RS232 port works FB though an adapter.
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Re: Suggestion
Don Solberg
There already is a solution for this that I have been using for several years. VSPE software can create a TCP client and a TCP server. It works very well.
I connected a PigKnob encoder in one location and used it to control my remote K3. 73, Don K9AQ
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Re: Suggestion
Tijmen de Jong
Hello John,
Maybe RemoteQTH server is a solution for you.
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K3 buttons erratic behaviour
I have a strange problem - the buttons don't work as expected. For example, the A/B (B SET) sometimes acts as ATU TUNE, second attempt works as expected. The same problem appears on my KPA500. I suspect the dirty contact fields on the front panel PCB normally shortened with contacts in rubber buttons (??). Can someone direct me to the source of such problem?
73, Martin, OK1RR
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Re: K3s USB failure
Mine failed as well, sent my K3s to Elecraft (this was pre-Chinese virus) and they replaced the IO board and sent the old one back. I found a couple of fried diodes or trannys, Elecraft said the RS232 was fine. One of these days I might replace the IO parts.
John WB5THT
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Re: K3s USB failure
Jim Brown
You might try a post on Elecraft's reflector. Wayne has responded to several posts there this weekend, as have at least two other Elecraft people.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
73, Jim K9YC
On 1/18/2021 1:45 PM, southdaleus via groups.io wrote:
I emailed Elecraft support several days ago but so far not heard anything back.
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Re: No green LED KSYN3A
Colin Smithers
Thanks for this Keith. I am certain there is a board level fault as swapping the suspect KSYN3A into a K3S moves the fault there. Then K3 is then fine, other than the 30% chance it will turn on ‘deaf’ with the main KSYN3A LED also not showing green. I will try your fix and see if that improves things in that regard. I think that fault first started occurring when the KSYN3As were installed, but cannot be certain.
I was going to run up the 12V line on the removed suspect board and check the other regulators next. What would you suggest after that? Given a reference input does the board operate at all without being actively programmed?
Kind regards and 73
Colin G4CWH
From: Elecraft-K3@groups.io [mailto:Elecraft-K3@groups.io]
On Behalf Of Keith_WE6R via groups.io
Sent: 18 January 2021 22:55 To: Elecraft-K3@groups.io Subject: Re: [Elecraft-K3] No green LED KSYN3A
Do you happen to have a K144XV 2meter unit with the RefLock board?
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Re: No green LED KSYN3A
Do you happen to have a K144XV 2meter unit with the RefLock board?
If so, change R12 on the KREF3 to ~51 ohms. This boost the signal that can be on the fringe when going to the KSYN3"A". Usually affects the Main. The K3"S" already has this mod. You can change R12 even if you don't have the RefLock. https://elecraft.com/products/kref3mdkt_increases-the-output-levels-from-the-kref3-reference-oscillator https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3/Mod%20Notes%20Alerts/E740278%20KREF3%20Output%20Level%20Modification.pdf Keith WE6R Elecraft K3 Tech.
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Re: K3s USB failure
Most likely, the serial to USB chip has failed on the KIO3 board. Seems to be relatively common. Recent reports seem to indictae they are doing component level repairs for that.
73, Drew K3PA
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K3s USB failure
My USB port on the K3s has apparently failed. No communication between the computer and the K3s using the utility. I changed the USB cable still dead. I switched to the RS232 using a USB to RS232 adapter and everything works again. I emailed Elecraft support several days ago but so far not heard anything back. Any thoughts or ideas what might be the problem?
Tnx Dale, K9VUJ
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Re: Suggestion
* On 2021 18 Jan 10:01 -0600, john ni0k wrote:
Yeah, we all know the K3 is dead but there are a lot out there. Has anyoneThere is Hamlib and its rigctld daemon that strives to be radio independent. It's quite easy to run rigctld on the Pi and access it from other apps on the network. Security is in your ballpark, however--firewall the Pi from the larger Internet at your router, use SSH port forwarding, etc. 73, Nate, N0NB -- "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true." Web: https://www.n0nb.us Projects: https://github.com/N0NB GPG fingerprint: 82D6 4F6B 0E67 CD41 F689 BBA6 FB2C 5130 D55A 8819
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