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K144XV

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Ci Jones

K144XV

I would appreciate hearing the opinion of members of this group on an
issue I am facing. I just downloaded the manual for the K144XV since I
am considering this upgrade. As I understand it, it is an all mode ten
watt transceiver, and it costs about $300.00. In order to use it, I
will also have to buy a KXV3A for $140.00 and a KFL3B-FM for $126.00.
For a total of $560.00, I will have access to two meters with my K3. I
will also be able to listen to frequencies outside of the amateur
bands. I am wondering (and this is what I need your opinions on) why
this would be a better buy for me than another transceiver dedicated to
VHF and UHF and putting out considerably more power? In other words,
what are the benefits and uses of me purchasing this option (these
options) for my K3? I appreciate your comments. Thanks and 73, Ci

Ci Jones, WU7R
K3/100, K2/100 and K1/4
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vk3dbd

Re: K144XV

I've been wondering when someone would raise trhis point!

It struck me too it was an expensive way of getting on 2meters.
On a similar note, I query the desirability of having "everything in one
box"
In general a universal tool is seldom as good as one made for a specific
job.
Moreover, two meters may be something to have on in the "backround" while
using the normal HF bands in the usual way.

However my problems at the moment are with the K3, gone very unreliable,
loses lock with the VCO without warning and apart from watching the external
output meter I canot tell is I am transmitting
Elecraft Tech advice to date is not helping much.....
If I
knew how to put a big "smiley" on here (Frowning of course) I would do it!
73 David, VK3DBD currently not a happy K3 User

On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 11:07 PM, Ci Jones <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I would appreciate hearing the opinion of members of this group on an
> issue I am facing. I just downloaded the manual for the K144XV since I
> am considering this upgrade. As I understand it, it is an all mode ten
> watt transceiver, and it costs about $300.00. In order to use it, I
> will also have to buy a KXV3A for $140.00 and a KFL3B-FM for $126.00.
> For a total of $560.00, I will have access to two meters with my K3. I
> will also be able to listen to frequencies outside of the amateur
> bands. I am wondering (and this is what I need your opinions on) why
> this would be a better buy for me than another transceiver dedicated to
> VHF and UHF and putting out considerably more power? In other words,
> what are the benefits and uses of me purchasing this option (these
> options) for my K3? I appreciate your comments. Thanks and 73, Ci
>
> Ci Jones, WU7R
> K3/100, K2/100 and K1/4
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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Grant Youngman

Re: K144XV

>
> However my problems at the moment are with the K3, gone very unreliable,
> loses lock with the VCO without warning and apart from watching the external
> output meter I canot tell is I am transmitting
> Elecraft Tech advice to date is not helping much.....

I'd suggest you get back in touch with tech support. Something doesn't sound at all right here, especially about his comment regarding Elecraft tech support.

Perhaps if you described your issues in detail, there might be some help around here. How long have you had the radio? And was it working fine at one time?

Grant/NQ5T
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Brett Howard

Re: K144XV

In reply to this post by Ci Jones

If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...

~Brett

On Sun, 2010-02-07 at 18:07 -0500, Ci Jones wrote:

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K144XV

Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
One alternative is the external XV144 (or any other 2 meter
transverter). If that transverter were chosen, AND you wanted to change
the crystal to cover the FM frequencies, the FM filter would still be
required for the K3.
Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.

73,
Don W3FPR

Brett Howard wrote:
> If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
> then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
> You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
> VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...
>
>
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Ed K1EP

Re: K144XV

Unfortunately, there is no way to operate diversity on 2M with the K3
and a K144XV. The is no way to operate both the Main and Sub RX on
2M at the same time. You could put an FM filter in both the Main
and Sub RX so you can use the K144XV through either one, not both at
the same time. And as Don said, there is considerable use for the
K144XV on SSB, CW and digital modes.

At 2/7/2010 08:34 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

>Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
>SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
>One alternative is the external XV144 (or any other 2 meter
>transverter). If that transverter were chosen, AND you wanted to change
>the crystal to cover the FM frequencies, the FM filter would still be
>required for the K3.
>Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
>a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.
>
>73,
>Don W3FPR
>
>Brett Howard wrote:
> > If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
> > then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
> > You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
> > VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...
> >
> >
>______________________________________________________________
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>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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Grant Youngman

Re: K144XV

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

> Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
> SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.

Perhaps not everyone is aware of this :-)

Or perhaps there is just some general misunderstanding of when the 2M option on the k3 makes perfectly good sense, and when a bit of multi-band plastic with a ducky, belt clip and other fol-de-rol makes a lot more sense ...

>
> Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
> a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.

I can't imagine why diversity on FM would seem the least bit logical.

Grant/NQ5T
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Ed K1EP

Re: K144XV

At 2/7/2010 08:50 PM, Grant Youngman wrote:

> > Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
> > SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
>
>Perhaps not everyone is aware of this :-)
>
>Or perhaps there is just some general misunderstanding of when the
>2M option on the k3 makes perfectly good sense, and when a bit of
>multi-band plastic with a ducky, belt clip and other fol-de-rol
>makes a lot more sense ...
>
>
> >
> > Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
> > a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.
>
>I can't imagine why diversity on FM would seem the least bit logical.

Some repeaters use voting receivers to overcome holes in antenna
patterns. And with voting receivers, they don't mix the signals,
they select the best one. Not really diversity and it is not
something that is of much use at the typical user end.

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Brett Howard

Re: K144XV

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

I was considering 2 FM filters so that one could TX with one while
listening on the SubRX on the other...

~Brett

On Sun, 2010-02-07 at 20:34 -0500, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
> SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
> One alternative is the external XV144 (or any other 2 meter
> transverter). If that transverter were chosen, AND you wanted to change
> the crystal to cover the FM frequencies, the FM filter would still be
> required for the K3.
> Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
> a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Brett Howard wrote:
> > If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
> > then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
> > You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
> > VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...
> >
> >

Phil Hystad

Re: K144XV

If you're doing FM it would be cheaper just to get a second cheap, used, FM 2 meter transceiver. Actually, I have four different ways to transmit/receive FM on 2 meters and I hardly ever do it (Yaesu HT, two FT-7800R rigs, and my Icom 706). The HT just sits on the bookshelf for decoration, one FT-7800R in the truck and one in the shack, and the Icom 706 is in the truck (but, never buy the 706 just to do FM, it is not worth it).

73, phil, K7PEH

On Feb 7, 2010, at 6:24 PM, Brett Howard wrote:

> I was considering 2 FM filters so that one could TX with one while
> listening on the SubRX on the other...
>
> ~Brett
>
> On Sun, 2010-02-07 at 20:34 -0500, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
>> SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
>> One alternative is the external XV144 (or any other 2 meter
>> transverter). If that transverter were chosen, AND you wanted to change
>> the crystal to cover the FM frequencies, the FM filter would still be
>> required for the K3.
>> Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
>> a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> Brett Howard wrote:
>>> If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
>>> then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
>>> You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
>>> VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...
>>>
>>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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Brett Howard

Re: K144XV

In reply to this post by Brett Howard

I should clarify I guess... Not while but and...

I could see it being handy being able to monitor a 2M repeater w/ the
SubRX while doing HF on the main VFO. But then if you want to be able
to TX too then you need 2 13kc filters.

~Brett (KC7OTG)

On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 6:24 PM, Brett Howard <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I was considering 2 FM filters so that one could TX with one while
> listening on the SubRX on the other...
>
> ~Brett
>
> On Sun, 2010-02-07 at 20:34 -0500, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Why are we adding the price of the FM filter to the K144XV? There are
>> SSB and CW modes on 2 meters.
>> One alternative is the external XV144 (or any other 2 meter
>> transverter). If that transverter were chosen, AND you wanted to change
>> the crystal to cover the FM frequencies, the FM filter would still be
>> required for the K3.
>> Since most 2 meter FM is repeater work, I don't think diversity mode is
>> a benefit, so why even consider 2 FM filters.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> Brett Howard wrote:
>> > If you have the sub-receiver (and are willing to purchase 2 FM filters)
>> > then you've got the ability to do diversity on 2 meters if you so wish.
>> > You can also have the K3 doing dual VFO listen. Such as using the main
>> > VFO down on the HF bands while the sub RX monitors a local repeater...
>> >
>> >
>
>

Julian, G4ILO

Re: K144XV

In reply to this post by Ci Jones

Ci Jones wrote

I would appreciate hearing the opinion of members of this group on an
issue I am facing. I just downloaded the manual for the K144XV since I
am considering this upgrade. As I understand it, it is an all mode ten
watt transceiver, and it costs about $300.00. In order to use it, I
will also have to buy a KXV3A for $140.00 and a KFL3B-FM for $126.00.
For a total of $560.00, I will have access to two meters with my K3. I
will also be able to listen to frequencies outside of the amateur
bands. I am wondering (and this is what I need your opinions on) why
this would be a better buy for me than another transceiver dedicated to
VHF and UHF and putting out considerably more power?

The K144XV is not particularly expensive compared to other high performance transverter options. Here in Europe the DB6NT 2m transverter with 25W output will set you back the equivalent of $1800, though it is probably a bit superior in performance to the K144XV.

The main reason people use HF transceivers + transverters on 2m is to operate SSB and CW. There are not many choices of radios that will do 2m SSB and most are shack-in-a-box type sets with not particularly good performance. A K3 plus any good transverter will outperform pretty much any other 2m receiver.

If you only want to work FM then to be honest a separate 2m FM set will be more convenient, do just as good a job 99% of the time and you'll be able to listen out for your friends without tying up your K3 in the process. Having said that if you live in an area where standard FM radios have intermod problems due to the presence of powerful nearby transmitters the K3 would still have a benefit, plus the crystal filters are notably sharper than the ceramic filters other FM rigs normally use so you'll get better copy of weak signals.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html