How can the KNB2 be tested?

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
8 messages Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

How can the KNB2 be tested?

Robin Kiszka
Hi,

I have also recently built this unit and the only way I could test it was by scratching the antenna input with a metal object. I can hear that it removes the 'clicks' out of the peaks, but I have not been able to test it against real pulse noise. Whatever else I have tried hasn't seemed to make a difference, then again, it may not have been pulsed noise.

73
Robin
OZ6ABM
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

RE: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Ron D'Eau Claire-2
Hi, Robin!

Do you have a cheap lamp dimmer (the type that works with incandescent lamps
only)? Most of them emit a terrible buzz when set to half-brilliance. The
KNB2 is excellent for removing that noise.

You are absolutely correct: the KNB2 requires a train of evenly spaced
pulses, such as those produced by a lamp dimmer, unshielded auto ignition,
etc. It can't do much for random noise since it "anticipates" the timing of
the pulses is even. When the pulse interval varies widely, it gets the
timing wrong and blanks at the wrong instant.

Also, sometimes annoying noise is too low in level for the circuit to
trigger, even in low threshold position. I have discovered that on 80 meters
particularly. Turning on the Preamp, even though it's not otherwise needed,
will often make the noise disappear by bringing its level up to where the
noise blanker is being triggered properly.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Robin Kiszka-Kanowitz
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 10:54 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] How can the KNB2 be tested?


Hi,

I have also recently built this unit and the only way I could test it was by
scratching the antenna input with a metal object. I can hear that it removes
the 'clicks' out of the peaks, but I have not been able to test it against
real pulse noise. Whatever else I have tried hasn't seemed to make a
difference, then again, it may not have been pulsed noise.

73
Robin
OZ6ABM
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Tom Althoff
In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka
I have three sources in my home that the KNB2 works well on and is great for
testing:

1) As Ron says...any light dimmer or touch-operated lamp
2) Electric razor plugged into the wall or held near the radio
3) Electronic ignition of my furnace...turn up the heat and listen to the
zapping of the ignitor for a few seconds.

As far as working other K2's...I called CQ on 10M during the summer on a
dead band and a VP8 with a K2 came back.  He's the only one I know with whom
I had a 2-way K2-K2 QSO.

Where do you like to hang out on HF Robin?   Maybe you can generate a pileup
of K2's calling you?

73 de Tom K2TA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Kiszka-Kanowitz" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 1:53 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] How can the KNB2 be tested?


Hi,

I have also recently built this unit and the only way I could test it was by
scratching the antenna input with a metal object. I can hear that it removes
the 'clicks' out of the peaks, but I have not been able to test it against
real pulse noise. Whatever else I have tried hasn't seemed to make a
difference, then again, it may not have been pulsed noise.

73
Robin
OZ6ABM
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Gregg R. Lengling
In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka
Robin that is a good way to test it, also scratching on the preamp
transistor will cause the same noise.  You will find it is very effective at
removing ignition noise from cars.  I've used my K2 mobile and it's one of
the most effective spark plug noise removers I've ever seen.

Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Un-Retired
K2/100 SN 3075
http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robin Kiszka-Kanowitz" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 12:53 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] How can the KNB2 be tested?


Hi,

I have also recently built this unit and the only way I could test it was by
scratching the antenna input with a metal object. I can hear that it removes
the 'clicks' out of the peaks, but I have not been able to test it against
real pulse noise. Whatever else I have tried hasn't seemed to make a
difference, then again, it may not have been pulsed noise.

73
Robin
OZ6ABM
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com 

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Thom LaCosta
In reply to this post by Tom Althoff
On Mon, 26 Dec 2005, Tom Althoff wrote:

> I have three sources in my home that the KNB2 works well on and is great for
> testing:
>
> 3) Electronic ignition of my furnace...turn up the heat and listen to the
> zapping of the ignitor for a few seconds.

My KNB2 has never worked with furnace interference whatsoever.

Perhaps I have a random width ignitor?

73,Thom-k3hrn
www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring,
Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel,
Elecraft Owners Database
www.tlchost.net/hosting/  ***  Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Tom Althoff
Hi Thom!

Do you have oil heat?

They say gas heat is cleaner.  Perhaps the ignitor produces short clean
noise spikes in my furnace?  LOL.

Seriously...if you have problems with the furnace ignition one thing that
worked GREAT for me and did not mess up the radio with intermod products was
that noise cancelling antenna from MFJ...hmmm...the 1024 or 1026?    That
worked 100% to eliminate the noise when I used it with the internal noise
whip.   I always used it with a foot switch though instead of relying on the
internal RF sensing relay.

Have a happy new year!

73 de Tom K2TA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thom R LaCosta" <[hidden email]>
To: "Tom Althoff" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] How can the KNB2 be tested?


> On Mon, 26 Dec 2005, Tom Althoff wrote:
>
> > I have three sources in my home that the KNB2 works well on and is great
for
> > testing:
> >
> > 3) Electronic ignition of my furnace...turn up the heat and listen to
the

> > zapping of the ignitor for a few seconds.
>
> My KNB2 has never worked with furnace interference whatsoever.
>
> Perhaps I have a random width ignitor?
>
> 73,Thom-k3hrn
> www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring,
> Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel,
> Elecraft Owners Database
> www.tlchost.net/hosting/  ***  Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

John Lonigro
In reply to this post by Robin Kiszka
I haven't installed my KNB2 yet, but I was thinking that a hair dryer
with an AC/DC motor (i.e., with brushes) should be a fine noise
generator.  Other possibilities might include an electric shaver or a
power drill.

Good luck,

John AA0VE
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: How can the KNB2 be tested?

Lambs, Dick & Judy
Many of us can only wish we had the problem you fellows have--an  
environment so quiet you have to contrive a noise source to test the  
noise blanker.  Deteriorating power line equipment in my neighborhood  
generates nearly constant noise.  When it gets really bad, I call the  
power company, and they fix the worst of it.  But their fixes are  
only temporary.  Thankfully, the KNB2 is incredibly effective.

Dick, K0KK

On Dec 26, 2005, at 2:25 PM, John R. Lonigro wrote:

> I haven't installed my KNB2 yet, but I was thinking that a hair  
> dryer with an AC/DC motor (i.e., with brushes) should be a fine  
> noise generator.  Other possibilities might include an electric  
> shaver or a power drill.
>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com