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Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

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K4GM-George

Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

I'm looking for a decoder to use with my K3/PW-1. I realize there are
several options available but would like input from someone actually
using one before I buy. The PW-1 has sat unused since I bought my K3.
Now that I have the bias mod installed I'm ready to focus on either
using or selling the PW-1. My L4B works so well and doesn't need to go
to the shop every time I accidentally hit the remote head or the
outboard tuner arcs. All comments appreciated.

K4GM- George
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n7ws

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

George,

Sounds like you answered your own question.

I'm using either a TS-870SAT or a K3 with my L4B. The '870's tuner will even match the L4's input on the WARC bands and the L4 makes a dandy "antenna tuner."

Wes N7WS

--- On Wed, 9/9/09, K4GM-George <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: K4GM-George <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1
To: [hidden email]
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 10:17 AM

I'm looking for a decoder to use with my K3/PW-1. I realize there are
several options available but would like input from someone actually
using one before I buy. The PW-1 has sat unused since I bought my K3.
Now that I have the bias mod installed I'm ready to focus on either
using or selling the PW-1. My L4B works so well and doesn't need to go
to the shop every time I accidentally hit the remote head or the
outboard tuner arcs. All comments appreciated.

K4GM- George

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K4GM-George

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

You are probably right. I installed the K3 ATU four months ago and
since then have been totally spoiled by not having to manually tune my
external tuner from band to band. Yes, the K3 drives the L4B perfectly
but I still need to adjust the antenna tuner when using the L4B .
Depending on how much a decoder costs I might just go for the gold and
buy an automatic KW+ external tuner. Tuning the L4B from band to band
is no big deal.
K4GM- George

Wes Stewart wrote:

> George,
>
> Sounds like you answered your own question.
>
> I'm using either a TS-870SAT or a K3 with my L4B. The '870's tuner
> will even match the L4's input on the WARC bands and the L4 makes a
> dandy "antenna tuner."
>
> Wes N7WS
>
> --- On *Wed, 9/9/09, K4GM-George /<[hidden email]>/* wrote:
>
>
> From: K4GM-George <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 10:17 AM
>
> I'm looking for a decoder to use with my K3/PW-1. I realize
> there are
> several options available but would like input from someone actually
> using one before I buy. The PW-1 has sat unused since I bought my
> K3.
> Now that I have the bias mod installed I'm ready to focus on either
> using or selling the PW-1. My L4B works so well and doesn't need
> to go
> to the shop every time I accidentally hit the remote head or the
> outboard tuner arcs. All comments appreciated.
>
> K4GM- George
>
>

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DC1RS

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

This post was updated on .

Is the PW-1 using the banddata-voltage as the AT-500 tuner?
If it's so, I have a schematic for a easy to build K3-to-Icom Band-decoder.

73 de Roland, DC1RS

K3/100 #1243, KFL3A-2.8K, KFL3A-2.1K, KFL3A-400, KRX3, KFL3A-2.8K, KFL3A-400, KAT3, KXV3A, LP-Pan

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

In reply to this post by K4GM-George

> I'm looking for a decoder to use with my K3/PW-1. I
> realize there are several options available but would
> like input from someone actually using one before I buy.

Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
(CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.

To the best of my knowledge there are only three devices
currently in production that will translate non-Icom
CAT data to Icom CI-V format. They are the microHAM
Station Master, microHAM microKEYER II and microHAM
MK2R/MK2R+ (SO2R controller). The discontinued microHAM
micro Band Decoder will also provide a CI-V output if
you can find one used.

All of the microHAM devices provide multiple functions
- they are not dedicated protocol converters - so they
are not inexpensive.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of K4GM-George
> Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:17 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1
>
>
> I'm looking for a decoder to use with my K3/PW-1. I
> realize there are
> several options available but would like input from someone actually
> using one before I buy. The PW-1 has sat unused since I
> bought my K3.
> Now that I have the bias mod installed I'm ready to focus on either
> using or selling the PW-1. My L4B works so well and doesn't
> need to go
> to the shop every time I accidentally hit the remote head or the
> outboard tuner arcs. All comments appreciated.
>
> K4GM- George
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

gdaught6

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

Joe wrote...

> Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
> (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
> DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.

If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently has provision for the
"old stepped DC voltage" as well as for the CI-V. Both the ACC-1 and ACC-2
connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't work for some reason[??]

73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2009

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

I own a PW-1. the stepped voltage doesn't distinguish between 10 and
12 meters or 15 and 17 meters. I think the voltage is there to switch
an EX 627.

Dick, K6KR

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 10, 2009, at 8:10 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Joe wrote...
>
>> Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
>> (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
>> DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.
>
> If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently has
> provision for the
> "old stepped DC voltage" as well as for the CI-V. Both the ACC-1
> and ACC-2
> connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't work for
> some reason[??]
>
> 73,
>
> George T Daughters, K6GT
> CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
> October 3-4, 2009
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

In reply to this post by gdaught6

> If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently
> has provision for the "old stepped DC voltage" as well as for
> the CI-V. Both the ACC-1 and ACC-2 connectors have a band data
> signal. But maybe it doesn't work for some reason[??]

If you look at the schematic or the jack board (Jack 1 Unit -
page 68) in the service manual, pin 4 of the ACC-1 and ACC-2
are connected only to the Exciter 1/Exciter 1&2 switch. In
the single exciter position the two jacks are connected together,
in the dual exciter position the two jacks are disconnected.

Neither the "stepped voltage" nor the 8V reference on pin 1 appear
to be used anywhere else in the PW-1. It would be difficult for
the stepped voltage to switch bands in the PW-1 if it is not
connected!

The only purpose of the "stepped voltage" connection appears to
be as a "feed through" when connecting another Icom accessory to
ACC-2.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> [hidden email]
> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 11:10 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1
>
>
> Joe wrote...
>
> > Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
> > (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
> > DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.
>
> If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently
> has provision for the
> "old stepped DC voltage" as well as for the CI-V. Both the
> ACC-1 and ACC-2
> connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't
> work for some reason[??]
>
> 73,
>
> George T Daughters, K6GT
> CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
> October 3-4, 2009
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Tom Hammond-2

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

In reply to this post by gdaught6

Hi George:

UNfortunately, if you look at the SCHEMATIC of the PW-1, you will see that the
stepped band/data voltage (paraphrasing one of my daughters) "goes in
one ear and right out the other), and is NEVER TOUCHED (internally)
by the PW-1 as is passes from one ACC connector to the other...

I can (I believe) still provide a copy of the relative portions of
the PW-1 schematic if you wish to review it. Can't include it here
due to reflector restrictions on attachments, etc.

It appears that the ONLY way to get the PW-1 to actually ACT upon the
K3's band data is to be able to convert it from (K3) BCD to PW-1 CI-V format.

73,

Tom Hammond N0SS

At 10:10 09/10/2009, [hidden email] wrote:

>Joe wrote...
>
> > Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
> > (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
> > DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.
>
>If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently has
>provision for the
>"old stepped DC voltage" as well as for the CI-V. Both the ACC-1 and ACC-2
>connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't work for
>some reason[??]
>
>73,
>
> George T Daughters, K6GT
>CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
>October 3-4, 2009
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

gdaught6

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

Tom and Joe both pointed out that the "band" signals on the PW-1's ACC connectors
won't control the PW-1. Rather, they are apparently strapped together in case you
want to hang other Icom stuff on them. [But why would you bother to go through the
PW-1?]

It seems it functions as a "junction box" at the ACC connectors. I appreciate the new
knowledge gained!

tnx es 73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2009

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Dick Dievendorff

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

George: I'll hazard a guess:

The cable that carries the band voltage level is also used for the ALC
voltage output from the PW-1 to the exciter.

If you started with an ICOM transceiver and had an antenna switch such as an
EX-627 plugged into the transceiver's accessory connector, you could just
interpose the IC-PW1, moving the antenna switch to the amplifier's accessory
connector, and add a new accessory cable from the exciter to the amplifier.

It's more convenient for users to do this than to require them to
manufacture a new "split" cable that supplies ALC from the PW-1 and exciter
band voltage to the EX-627.

Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 1:32 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

Tom and Joe both pointed out that the "band" signals on the PW-1's ACC
connectors
won't control the PW-1. Rather, they are apparently strapped together in
case you
want to hang other Icom stuff on them. [But why would you bother to go
through the
PW-1?]

It seems it functions as a "junction box" at the ACC connectors. I
appreciate the new
knowledge gained!

tnx es 73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2009

______________________________________________________________
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John Gaynard

Re: Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

In reply to this post by gdaught6

It also works with a Microham MKII. I use it with a K3 and the PW-1. The
K3 has to be on Input1.

John K8WDN

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 11:10 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1

Joe wrote...

> Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial
> (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped
> DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL.

If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently has provision
for the
"old stepped DC voltage" as well as for the CI-V. Both the ACC-1 and ACC-2
connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't work for some
reason[??]

73,

George T Daughters, K6GT
CU in the California QSO Party (CQP)
October 3-4, 2009

______________________________________________________________
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