IF tap?

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

IF tap?

Steve KC8QVO
Is there a good place to tap the IF stream for an output? I have a spectrum analyzer and was thinking of running an IF-out to the analyzer, it doesn't matter what frequency if its under a gig.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Don Wilhelm-4
Steve,

You did not say which transceiver you have, so we can't really answer
except to say that the K3 does have an IF output if you install the KXV3
option.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/2/2012 1:51 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
> Is there a good place to tap the IF stream for an output? I have a spectrum
> analyzer and was thinking of running an IF-out to the analyzer, it doesn't
> matter what frequency if its under a gig.
>
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Mike Morrow-3
In reply to this post by Steve KC8QVO
> Is there a good place to tap the IF stream for an output?

Are you asking this about a Wells-Gardner BC-348-R?

For some reason, it always seems to help if the applicable radio
is identified. :-)

Mike / KK5F
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Steve KC8QVO
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
I figured the radio was implied since I posted in the K2 forum  In any event, its a K2 SN 6950. I'm just looking for a constant frequency I can use post-VFO to run through my spectrum analyzer so I can see the band I'm on.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Don Wilhelm-4
Steve,

This Elecraft email reflector stopped being the K2 reflector as soon as
the K1 was available, and now there are questions about the K3, K2, K1,
KX1, now the KX3, KPA500, KRC2, mini-modules, and any other product that
Elecraft has produced or has announced for the future.

Clifton Labs Z10000-K2 buffer can be installed in the K2 to provide
IFoutput for your spectrum analyzer.  Look at
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10000_buffer_amp.htm.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/2/2012 3:05 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
> I figured the radio was implied since I posted in the K2 forum  In any event,
> its a K2 SN 6950. I'm just looking for a constant frequency I can use
> post-VFO to run through my spectrum analyzer so I can see the band I'm on.
>
>
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Leroy
Or to your softrock  for a panadaptor.  Clifton Labs
has high quailty/easy to build IF ports. I put one
together in my K2, it works excellent.

Leroy AB7CE

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 2:01 PM
To: Steve KC8QVO
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] IF tap?

Steve,

This Elecraft email reflector stopped being the K2 reflector as soon as
the K1 was available, and now there are questions about the K3, K2, K1,
KX1, now the KX3, KPA500, KRC2, mini-modules, and any other product that
Elecraft has produced or has announced for the future.

Clifton Labs Z10000-K2 buffer can be installed in the K2 to provide
IFoutput for your spectrum analyzer.  Look at
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10000_buffer_amp.htm.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/2/2012 3:05 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:
> I figured the radio was implied since I posted in the K2 forum  In any
> event,
> its a K2 SN 6950. I'm just looking for a constant frequency I can use
> post-VFO to run through my spectrum analyzer so I can see the band I'm on.
>
>
______________________________________________________________
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 


______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Elecraft [OT] Visalia Hamfest

Doug Turnbull

Dear OMs and Yls,
     I am considering along with K1VGF skipping Dayton this year and
visiting the Visalia Hamfest but I am looking for some information.    I
understand that Elecraft is sponsoring the Contest University which is an
event I would want to attend but I know little else about this event.   So
perhaps some of the W6 land crew might fill me in:

1)The Contest University is on the Friday.   Is it April 20?

2)Does the Hamfest run on both Saturday and Sunday and how big an event is
it?   Crudely what is the size of this event in comparison to Dayton in
percent terms?   I doubt there are any dinners but perhaps this is not the
case and if there are I would like to know about them.

3) Is Fresno the best airport to fly into?   Are there any other nearby
airports to consider?   We would be flying from Connecticut and I understand
that AA has flights from Hartford via Dallas.

4) Does the Hamfest take place in the Holiday Inn as I believe the Contest
University does?   Does anyone have contact details for this Hotel and yes I
can search on line.

       Any information would be most welcome and you be the judge as to
whether it should be sent off the reflector.   I am not trying to annoy
others but saw mention of this a few weeks back and started thinking.   Now
I can not find the original message.   A quick search of the internet has so
far not turned up very much regarding the 2012 event.

                    73 Doug EI2CN





______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Elecraft [OT] Visalia Hamfest

Jim Brown-10
On 1/2/2012 1:51 PM, Doug Turnbull wrote:
> Dear OMs and Yls,
>       I am considering along with K1VGF skipping Dayton this year and
> visiting the Visalia Hamfest but I am looking for some information.    I
> understand that Elecraft is sponsoring the Contest University which is an
> event I would want to attend but I know little else about this event.   So
> perhaps some of the W6 land crew might fill me in:
>
> 1)The Contest University is on the Friday.   Is it April 20?

in the past, this event has been produced by our club, NCCC. See
www.nccc.cc  I've not seen plans for this year, but would expect the
same. I think we call it Contest Academy, and there are usually two
tracks, one for beginners and one more advanced. Some pretty good guys
do the teaching in both tracks.

> 2)Does the Hamfest run on both Saturday and Sunday

Usually starts Friday afternoon, goes through Sunday noon.  Search on
Visalia DX Convention.

>   Crudely what is the size of this event in comparison to Dayton in
> percent terms?

Much smaller in attendance, programs, and exhibits. I'd guess 20% of Dayton.

>    I doubt there are any dinners but perhaps this is not the
> case and if there are I would like to know about them.

There are dinners for DX, Contesting, 160M, and IOTA, in addition to the
Saturday night banquet.. And some of us go elsewhere for dinner in town
and return in time for the banquet program -- it's a Holiday Inn in a
not very big town, and the food is forgettable.

> 3) Is Fresno the best airport to fly into?   Are there any other nearby
> airports to consider?   We would be flying from Connecticut and I understand
> that AA has flights from Hartford via Dallas.

Visalia is roughly equidistant to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and
most folks who fly in go through one of the airports around those
cities. Oakland San Jose, and Sacramento are served by Southwest. Many
who fly in also take time to see the sights in one of those cities, or
along the way. There's a VOA antenna farm a few miles off the highway
about 70 miles S of Visalia (no possibility of a tour, but it's easy to
drive around it and look at it), and Visalia is pretty close to Yosemite
and the Sierra. Although high elevation roads will still be closed by
snow that time of year, there's still some pretty country to look at.
And after a few meals in the hotel, you'll appreciate having the car to
run into town for some very nice local restaurants. Some guys also get
together around SF on Thursday to take in a ball game, then drive down
to Visalia.  I've driven some east coast visitors on tours to Alacatraz,
and to a couple of vintage ship to shore transmitting sites along the
coast.  LAX has a bit of a jazz scene, though not nearly as much as in
years past. Ditto for SF.

You should also be able to hitch a ride from SF or LAX with one of the
locals if you put out a timely request.  From SF, the easy way to do
this is to have an NCCC member post to our email reflector, and that's
also a good way to find a room. You could also get some shack tours just
by asking.
.
> 4) Does the Hamfest take place in the Holiday Inn as I believe the Contest
> University does?

Yes to both.

>    Does anyone have contact details for this Hotel and yes I
> can search on line.

It's fully booked the day after reservations are opened, and that was
several months ago. There are more than enough good hotels nearby to
hold attendees, including one just across the parking lot. The others
you need to drive to. Rooms (or a bed in a 2-bed room) become available
periodically as plans are changed by health, personal circumstance, and
the XYL.  I suggest that you contact DX or contesting friends if you
want to stay in that hotel.

Visalia is fun event, a lot smaller than Dayton. While it's officially a
DX event (and sponsored by major clubs in SF and LAX), there are getting
to be as many contesters involved in organizing it and attending it.  
And because it's a lot smaller than Dayton, it's easy to meet and hang
out with those who do attend.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Steve KC8QVO
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Don Wilhelm-4 wrote
Steve,

This Elecraft email reflector stopped being the K2 reflector as soon as
the K1 was available, and now there are questions about the K3, K2, K1,
KX1, now the KX3, KPA500, KRC2, mini-modules, and any other product that
Elecraft has produced or has announced for the future.

Clifton Labs Z10000-K2 buffer can be installed in the K2 to provide
IFoutput for your spectrum analyzer.  Look at
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10000_buffer_amp.htm.

73,
Don W3FPR
In regards to the reflector/forum - I posted on the website under the K2 forum. There are also categories for the K1, KX1, K3, etc. I am not using the e-mail system to get the post in to the reflector. I forgot that the e-mail list does not "categorize" posts in the same regard that the website does for the reflector.

Just playing around here - I dug out my manual and found the RX Mixer. I tapped the Post-Mixer Amp side of C159 and the ground side of R80 with a length of RG-174. Then I ran that back to the receive antenna connector on the 160 module (desoldered the wires to the 160 module). I figured this would give me a 4.915mHz reference from which to tap but it doesn't work too well. There's more to learn here for sure.

I figured there would be a place in the circuit I could tap to bring out the IF to the analyzer. Would I not be correct in assuming that the spectrum analyzer can read the same signal(s) fed to the rest of the K2's receiver?
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Don Wilhelm-4
Steve,

One cannot usually use a spectrum analyzer "in situ" like you would an
oscilloscope - the spectrum analyzer has a 50 ohm input and will load
the "circuit under test" significantly.  That is why you need the buffer
amplifier.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/2/2012 5:35 PM, Steve KC8QVO wrote:

> Just playing around here - I dug out my manual and found the RX Mixer.
> I tapped the Post-Mixer Amp side of C159 and the ground side of R80
> with a length of RG-174. Then I ran that back to the receive antenna
> connector on the 160 module (desoldered the wires to the 160 module).
> I figured this would give me a 4.915mHz reference from which to tap
> but it doesn't work too well. There's more to learn here for sure. I
> figured there would be a place in the circuit I could tap to bring out
> the IF to the analyzer. Would I not be correct in assuming that the
> spectrum analyzer can read the same signal(s) fed to the rest of the
> K2's receiver?
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Elecraft [OT] Visalia Hamfest

N7US
In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
I've been to Visalia many times because I used to live in Phoenix, and many
members of the Central Arizona DX Association went, making it more
enjoyable.  I've been twice, I think, since I moved to IL in 2006.

The attendance is usually between 550 and 625. What's nice is that it all
takes place at the convention hotel, the Holiday Inn.  The Comfort Inn is
just across the parking lot, as the Holiday Inn fills up quickly, so you
could still try them for rooms, and they're probably cheaper.  Both are much
cheaper than the contest/DX hotel in Dayton, the Crowne Plaza.

The website is http://dxconvention.org/ .

You can also fly into Fresno, which is 45 minutes north of Visalia.  I
believe that there's a flight into Visalia (the airport is walking distance
to the convention) from Ontario, but that what I remember from last year.
I've flown into Fresno and Burbank, which is on the north side of Los
Angeles.

Several of us toured the VOA station west of Hwy. 99 in Delano many years
ago, but I doubt that you can today.  A few years ago I wanted to see the
VOA station at Greenville, NC, but the best I could get, which I
appreciated, was having a ham/engineer come outside the gate and describe
the facility.  He said the VOA closed the stations after 9/11/01.

It's very different than Dayton.  There's no swap meet, and the vendors'
area is in one small room.  The convention is focused on DXing and
contesting.  The Friday night dinners are nice; twice I've been to the
Topband dinner that WB6RSE organizes, and I really enjoyed it.

I've always attended the Saturday banquet and have enjoyed it.  I think the
food is OK, but the food isn't why I attend.

73, Jim N7US



-----Original Message-----


On 1/2/2012 1:51 PM, Doug Turnbull wrote:
> Dear OMs and Yls,
>       I am considering along with K1VGF skipping Dayton this year and
> visiting the Visalia Hamfest but I am looking for some information.    I
> understand that Elecraft is sponsoring the Contest University which is an
> event I would want to attend but I know little else about this event.   So
> perhaps some of the W6 land crew might fill me in:
>
> 1)The Contest University is on the Friday.   Is it April 20?

in the past, this event has been produced by our club, NCCC. See www.nccc.cc
I've not seen plans for this year, but would expect the same. I think we
call it Contest Academy, and there are usually two tracks, one for beginners
and one more advanced. Some pretty good guys do the teaching in both tracks.

> 2)Does the Hamfest run on both Saturday and Sunday

Usually starts Friday afternoon, goes through Sunday noon.  Search on
Visalia DX Convention.

>   Crudely what is the size of this event in comparison to Dayton in
> percent terms?

Much smaller in attendance, programs, and exhibits. I'd guess 20% of Dayton.

>    I doubt there are any dinners but perhaps this is not the case and
> if there are I would like to know about them.

There are dinners for DX, Contesting, 160M, and IOTA, in addition to the
Saturday night banquet.. And some of us go elsewhere for dinner in town and
return in time for the banquet program -- it's a Holiday Inn in a not very
big town, and the food is forgettable.

> 3) Is Fresno the best airport to fly into?   Are there any other nearby
> airports to consider?   We would be flying from Connecticut and I
understand
> that AA has flights from Hartford via Dallas.

Visalia is roughly equidistant to San Francisco and Los Angeles, and most
folks who fly in go through one of the airports around those cities. Oakland
San Jose, and Sacramento are served by Southwest. Many who fly in also take
time to see the sights in one of those cities, or along the way. There's a
VOA antenna farm a few miles off the highway about 70 miles S of Visalia (no
possibility of a tour, but it's easy to drive around it and look at it), and
Visalia is pretty close to Yosemite and the Sierra. Although high elevation
roads will still be closed by snow that time of year, there's still some
pretty country to look at.
And after a few meals in the hotel, you'll appreciate having the car to run
into town for some very nice local restaurants. Some guys also get together
around SF on Thursday to take in a ball game, then drive down to Visalia.
I've driven some east coast visitors on tours to Alacatraz, and to a couple
of vintage ship to shore transmitting sites along the coast.  LAX has a bit
of a jazz scene, though not nearly as much as in years past. Ditto for SF.

You should also be able to hitch a ride from SF or LAX with one of the
locals if you put out a timely request.  From SF, the easy way to do this is
to have an NCCC member post to our email reflector, and that's also a good
way to find a room. You could also get some shack tours just by asking.
.
> 4) Does the Hamfest take place in the Holiday Inn as I believe the
> Contest University does?

Yes to both.

>    Does anyone have contact details for this Hotel and yes I can
> search on line.

It's fully booked the day after reservations are opened, and that was
several months ago. There are more than enough good hotels nearby to hold
attendees, including one just across the parking lot. The others you need to
drive to. Rooms (or a bed in a 2-bed room) become available periodically as
plans are changed by health, personal circumstance, and the XYL.  I suggest
that you contact DX or contesting friends if you want to stay in that hotel.

Visalia is fun event, a lot smaller than Dayton. While it's officially a DX
event (and sponsored by major clubs in SF and LAX), there are getting to be
as many contesters involved in organizing it and attending it.  
And because it's a lot smaller than Dayton, it's easy to meet and hang out
with those who do attend.

73, Jim K9YC



______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Elecraft [OT] Visalia Hamfest

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
Hi Jim,

DX University at Visalia this year is not the same as contest university. Its a similar program focused on DXing.  It going to be a great program. Different sponsoring groups too.

See http://www.dxuniversity.com/

73,
Eric

www.elecraft.com
_..._



On Jan 2, 2012, at 2:26 PM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 1/2/2012 1:51 PM, Doug Turnbull wrote:
>> Dear OMs and Yls,
>>      I am considering along with K1VGF skipping Dayton this year and
>> visiting the Visalia Hamfest but I am looking for some information.    I
>> understand that Elecraft is sponsoring the Contest University which is an
>> event I would want to attend but I know little else about this event.   So
>> perhaps some of the W6 land crew might fill me in:
>>
>> 1)The Contest University is on the Friday.   Is it April 20?
>
> in the past, this event has been produced by our club, NCCC. See
> www.nccc.cc  I've not seen plans for this year, but would expect the
> same. I think we call it Contest Academy, and there are usually two
> tracks, one for beginners and one more advanced. Some pretty good guys
> do the teaching in both tracks.
______________________________________________________________
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
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: IF tap?

Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-3
In reply to this post by Steve KC8QVO
Steve,

Installing a buffer amp such as the Clifton Labs Z10000 - K2 is the
"cleanest" solution, but there is an alternative if you are just playing :-)

Depending on the level of the natural noise floor of your Spectrum Analyzer
and the interconnecting coax's capacitance, the IF signal at the emitter of
the post-mixer amp Q22 might be strong enough to drive the Spectrum
Analyzer. To avoid "upsetting" the post-mixer amp, you would have to connect
your Analyzer's "hot" input to Q22's emitter via a R and C in series.  I
suggest that the value of the added capacitor be 10nF, and that the value of
the added R be not less than 470 ohms.

The function of the added capacitor is only to prevent any DC from the K2
reaching your Spectrum Analyzer.

The shield of the coax at the post-mixer amp end should be grounded using
the same pad (if possible) which is used to ground one side of C162.

Have fun!

73,
Geoff
LX2AO



















----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve KC8QVO" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 11:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] IF tap?


>
> Don Wilhelm-4 wrote
>>
>> Steve,
>>
>> This Elecraft email reflector stopped being the K2 reflector as soon as
>> the K1 was available, and now there are questions about the K3, K2, K1,
>> KX1, now the KX3, KPA500, KRC2, mini-modules, and any other product that
>> Elecraft has produced or has announced for the future.
>>
>> Clifton Labs Z10000-K2 buffer can be installed in the K2 to provide
>> IFoutput for your spectrum analyzer.  Look at
>> http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z10000_buffer_amp.htm.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>
> In regards to the reflector/forum - I posted on the website under the K2
> forum. There are also categories for the K1, KX1, K3, etc. I am not using
> the e-mail system to get the post in to the reflector. I forgot that the
> e-mail list does not "categorize" posts in the same regard that the
> website
> does for the reflector.
>
> Just playing around here - I dug out my manual and found the RX Mixer. I
> tapped the Post-Mixer Amp side of C159 and the ground side of R80 with a
> length of RG-174. Then I ran that back to the receive antenna connector on
> the 160 module (desoldered the wires to the 160 module). I figured this
> would give me a 4.915mHz reference from which to tap but it doesn't work
> too
> well. There's more to learn here for sure.
>
> I figured there would be a place in the circuit I could tap to bring out
> the
> IF to the analyzer. Would I not be correct in assuming that the spectrum
> analyzer can read the same signal(s) fed to the rest of the K2's receiver?
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/IF-tap-tp7144523p7145046.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 

______________________________________________________________
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