-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Elecraft-K3] Random Wire
From: "N6KR" <n6kr@...>
Date: Fri, May 01, 2020 2:36 pm
To: Elecraft-K3@groups.io

Definitely! That's what the KAT3A was designed for. (All of our radios embody the Spirit of Field Day, going back to the K2. That means working with crazy, ad-hoc antennas.)

There are two ways to use a random wire with the K3:

1. QRP-only (10 W or lower):  Attach a wire directly to the antenna jack and throw it into a tree. Longer the better. Attach another wire to the ground lug, also longer the better. "Longer" is a general guideline. If you're only targeting a single band, you can optionally cut both wires to   L(ft.) = 234/F (MHz). This will avoid wires that, on your favorite band, end up close to a half-wave (very high-Z, with RFI more likely). For reduced RFI problems, use a balun right at the radio such as an Elecraft BL2.

2. QRP or QRO:  Create a random-length dipole, ideally off-center-fed (OCF), longer the better. Attach it to 30 to 50 feet of high-quality twin-lead or open-wire (ladder) line. Toss *both* ends into trees or use other supports. Use a balun (e.g. Elecraft BL2) at the radio to convert the balanced line to unbalanced and help shunt RFI away from the chassis of the radio.

The above will always work. You can finesse it from there with longer or more complex antennas and feedlines. See for example the ARRL Antenna Handbook. Or talk to K9YC :)

73,

Wayne

N6KR

On Fri, May 1, 2020 at 12:22 PM Mel Marcus <melm@...> wrote:

All

Here is an oddball question that I am sure that more experienced K3/KAT3 owners have tried and know the answer.  Can I use the KAT3 to tune a random wire? How do you attach a random wire to  the KAT3?

Mel

NE9A

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Elecraft-K3] More KAT3A automatic antenna tuners in the
pipeline
From: "N6KR" <n6kr@...>
Date: Fri, May 01, 2020 2:05 pm
To: Elecraft-K3@groups.io

Given the number of requests we've received, we've decided to do another run of KAT3A modules for the K3/K3S. We have a small number in stock, ready to be shipped. Orders beyond that will be filled as soon as the next build is completed.

The highly reliable KAT3A covers 160-6 meters and includes a bypass relay. To paraphrase any number of customers over the years: "It'll match anything!" :) This is especially useful in a radio like the K3A, which is light enough and small enough for compact FD and DXpedition work.

Typically you can put up one or two antennas, then use them on many (if not all) bands -- thanks to the KAT3A.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

Thanks RIch.
DATA A mode MAIN.MIC SEL is set to LINE IN and the MIC control shows Line In and is turned all the way up - no ALC  or RF indications.
Plugging something into the Line In jack disconnects USB audio, not Analog Audio (RS232) which is what I want to use.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Edd - KD5M

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Elecraft-K3] More KAT3A automatic antenna tuners in the
pipeline
From: "N6KR" <n6kr@...>
Date: Fri, May 01, 2020 2:05 pm
To: Elecraft-K3@groups.io

Given the number of requests we've received, we've decided to do another run of KAT3A modules for the K3/K3S. We have a small number in stock, ready to be shipped. Orders beyond that will be filled as soon as the next build is completed.

The highly reliable KAT3A covers 160-6 meters and includes a bypass relay. To paraphrase any number of customers over the years: "It'll match anything!" :) This is especially useful in a radio like the K3A, which is light enough and small enough for compact FD and DXpedition work.

Typically you can put up one or two antennas, then use them on many (if not all) bands -- thanks to the KAT3A.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

Good morning all.
I have a K3 upgraded with the KIO3B and other enhancements that I want to use with a microHam device for digital modes (WSJTX, JTDX, MMTTY).

I have spent the last week or more online with Elecraft Technical Support without resolution of the problem so perhaps someone here can point me to a solution.

The title is the short version.

I want to use the microHam device, not the built in USB KIO3B sound card for digital modes.
The K3 is in Data A mode and LINE IN / LINE OUT is selected as the input / output audio sources.
I have verified that with the K3 in USB mode, the K3 KIO3B USB sound card works for LINE IN and LINE OUT and the KIO3B digital part works for CAT and PTT.
With K3 set for RS232 (38400 baud) and connected to the microHam device via a microHam cable, CAT and PTT work and LINE OUT from the K3 to the microHam device works. I have verified that there is audio from the microHam device to the K3 (I swapped the microHam cable and also listened with headphones at the Line In plug on the microHam cable from the device). But there is no ALC indication and no RF from the K3 with K3 Line Level turned all the way up and output from the microHam device turned all the way up.
As a further test, I replaced the entire KIO3B board set with a new board set with no change in behavior - no ALC indication or RF out.

Does any one have any ideas how to resolve this?
Thanks for your time and any help.
Edd - KD5M

On Apr 30, 2020, at 19:45, Clay Autery <KY5G@...> wrote:



Not often that unintended consequences fall in our favor...  BONUS!!!  <big smile>

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 04/30/20 19:41, Dave Cole wrote:

If we sunk a Chinese container vessel EVERY time we caught counterfeit
Chinese crap coming into this county, we could build fake islands out of them all, then claim the islands the dead ships created, and with them the territorial waters, and mineral rights as ours...  Oh wait...  Never mind...


73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 4/30/20 5:22 PM, Clay Autery wrote:

If we sunk a Chinese container vessel EVERY time we caught counterfeit Chinese crap coming into this county, the problem would be largely self-solving.

Either they would stop the practice, or the container ship people would STOP shipping goods for China.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

My K3 is serial number 21 and is the first kitted K3.

During assembly, I was concerned about the tension of the pre-installed Anderson Power Pole attached to the rear panel.  It captured the mating connector but wasn't as snug as other APP connections I was used to.  Visually the internal metal tabs appeared to be properly locked.

A month later, NØSS (s.n. 8) and I were invited to display the only two K3s that had been shipped to Missouri at the 2007 ARRL Midwest Convention in Lebanon.  A multi-band dipole outside the arena allowed attendees to operate the radios on-the-air.  During set-up, I tripped over the coax and ripped out the power cable from my K3.  If the tension on that APP had not been as light as it was, the K3 would have ended up on the floor.

Tom's subsequent examination of both rigs revealed wires attached to the APPs on the inside were too short and thus displacing the metal tabs just enough to prevent solid hefty connections.

Bruce's serial number 158 experience, together with ours, probably result from factory growing pains at whatever facility was installing APP connectors in those early days.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri

On 4/28/2020 10:18 AM, Bruce Prior wrote:

My K3 is S/N 00158, as stated in my QST review. The power cable came with the radio. Is it possible that very early on, Elecraft did not crimp its Anderson Powerpole connectors? The problem is that there is very little friction to hold the connectors reliably attached to the K3. They slip out far too easily.

73,

Bruce Prior N7RR

If we sunk a Chinese container vessel EVERY time we caught counterfeit
Chinese crap coming into this county, we could build fake islands out of them all, then claim the islands the dead ships created, and with them the territorial waters, and mineral rights as ours...  Oh wait...  Never mind...


73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 4/30/20 5:22 PM, Clay Autery wrote:

If we sunk a Chinese container vessel EVERY time we caught counterfeit Chinese crap coming into this county, the problem would be largely self-solving.

Either they would stop the practice, or the container ship people would STOP shipping goods for China.

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

If we sunk a Chinese container vessel EVERY time we caught counterfeit Chinese crap coming into this county, the problem would be largely self-solving.
Either they would stop the practice, or the container ship people would STOP shipping goods for China.
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389
On 04/30/20 06:55, KE1F Lou wrote:

What is the penalty for manufacturing and selling counterfeit product? Penalty must be minimal and therefore very PROFITABLE.

73
Lou KE1F

The patent for the power pole has expired and anyone is allowed to make copies.  AKA generic drugs.   RAS

What is the penalty for manufacturing and selling counterfeit product? Penalty must be minimal and therefore very PROFITABLE.

73

Lou KE1F