Elecraft

[K3] My K3 needs pimping

Classic

List

Threaded

10 messages Options

Elecraft mailing list

[K3] My K3 needs pimping

Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495
'
______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

Panadaptor, you will probably get more use from it than the sub rx. I
do... I had occasion to have it mine off for a bit, and it is crippling
to no longer have one... I use it so much more than a sub RX.
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Mon, 2015-03-09 at 16:24 +0000, Don Putnick via Elecraft wrote:

> Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495
> '
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Gary Smith-2

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Don,

The answer is: Yes.

Why?

The answer is: Well, of course.

73,

Gary
KA1J

> Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a
casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard
digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the
KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a
panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495

> '
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
http://www.avast.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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Richard Fjeld-2

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

Don,

Without a P3, it is like driving at night without headlights.

And I find it tells me a lot more than just where the other signals are.

Dick, n0ce

>
> > Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a
> casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard
> digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the
> KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a
> panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495
> > '
>

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Jim Brown-10

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

On Mon,3/9/2015 9:24 AM, Don Putnick via Elecraft wrote:
> Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a panadapter, and why?

Buy the P3 first. Both are useful. My primary use for the 2nd RX is
diversity reception, which requires two antennas. It's most useful on
the lowest bands, especially 160 and 80, but also on 40. I also use it
to listen on my TX frequency when running split in a pileup. That way, I
know if there's a QSO there. I can also time my calls with another
station in the same pileup on that frequency.

The P3 gives you a nice overview of the pileup, it allows you to monitor
a "dead" band for activity (like 10M, 6M), it helps you identify RFI, it
can even show you the bandwidth of dirty signals. In the E30FB pileup on
15CW this morning, K7RR was clicking almost 2 kHz wide, and the P3
clearly showed it.

On 6M, I set the P3 for 200 kHz (max width), to display 50.08 MHz to
50.280 MHz. This lets me monitor for CW, SSB, and JT65/JT9 activity.
I've picked up a lot of rare grids in short openings that way. Last fall
there was an opening to CX and PY I made four Qs in three grids!

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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

k6dgw

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Gary Smith-2

Well Don, your question was a SubRx *or* a Panadaptor [P3?]. In the
interest of balance ...

I have a moderately vanilla K3 #642, KPA500, KAT500, and P3. I have the
stock SSB filter and a 500 Hz CW filter. I do not have a SubRx. There
may be some confusion lurking on the list. I have no problem whatsoever
running split. I receive on VFO A which I put on the DX and leave
alone. I transmit on VFO B, which I tune around in the pile-up using
the "Little Knob." I decide where to park VFO B by looking at the P3
waterfall. I may occasionally want to listen to my tx QRG, I do that
with one button.

The confusion? You need a SubRx to do some things ... diversity
reception is one example. You do *not* need a SubRx to chase DX split,
operate in contests, or a variety of other operating habits. I don't
know how having one would have any effect on how I operate.

Initially, I bought the P3 as a toy ... last panadaptor I had was a WW2
rack-mounted monster with a 3" round screen perhaps 40 years ago. My
wife has a needlepoint hobby, we have an Equal Hobby Allowance policy,
and needlepoint is about as expensive as ham radio. My stuff is higher
priced, but she buys a LOT more of her stuff.

I have found a myriad of uses for the P3 since then, and now when
operating, that's what I look at, not the radio. It is sooo very
different to "see" the band rather than hear only the tiny segment where
I'm tuned. Unless you have one of the distinct needs for the SubRx, and
it is an either/or decision, my recommendation is the P3.

I did buy the DVK for my K3 -- I have never used more than 2 memories
and then only in ARRL SS SSB for my CQ and my exchange following the
number. If I ever come up with another reason that works for me, I'll
let you know, but for now, it is unused.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org

On 3/9/2015 1:05 PM, Gary Smith wrote:

> Don,
>
> The answer is: Yes.
>
> Why?
>
> The answer is: Well, of course.
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
>
>> Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a
> casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard
> digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the
> KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a
> panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495

NK7Z

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Richard Fjeld-2

That is actually one of the best analogy's I have heard for a
Panadaptor, and it is dead on correct.
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Mon, 2015-03-09 at 16:12 -0500, Richard Fjeld wrote:

> Don,
>
> Without a P3, it is like driving at night without headlights.
>
> And I find it tells me a lot more than just where the other signals are.
>
> Dick, n0ce
>
>
>
>
> >
> > > Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a
> > casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard
> > digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the
> > KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a
> > panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495
> > > '
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by NK7Z

I would say "Get Both" but the P3 really should be 1st

On Mon, 2015-03-09 at 16:24 +0000, Don Putnick via Elecraft wrote:

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

I have several radios with dual receive, and I have several radios with a spectrum scope, and several radios that have both.

My vote is the spectrum scope. When you are saving your pennies for a second radio, save some more and buy a second radio. There is nothing like SO2R

George, W6GF

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 9, 2015, at 2:25 PM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> On Mon,3/9/2015 9:24 AM, Don Putnick via Elecraft wrote:
>> Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a panadapter, and why?
>
> Buy the P3 first. Both are useful. My primary use for the 2nd RX is diversity reception, which requires two antennas. It's most useful on the lowest bands, especially 160 and 80, but also on 40. I also use it to listen on my TX frequency when running split in a pileup. That way, I know if there's a QSO there. I can also time my calls with another station in the same pileup on that frequency.
>
> The P3 gives you a nice overview of the pileup, it allows you to monitor a "dead" band for activity (like 10M, 6M), it helps you identify RFI, it can even show you the bandwidth of dirty signals. In the E30FB pileup on 15CW this morning, K7RR was clicking almost 2 kHz wide, and the P3 clearly showed it.
>
> On 6M, I set the P3 for 200 kHz (max width), to display 50.08 MHz to 50.280 MHz. This lets me monitor for CW, SSB, and JT65/JT9 activity. I've picked up a lot of rare grids in short openings that way. Last fall there was an opening to CX and PY I made four Qs in three grids!
>
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bill Coleman-2

Re: [Bulk] [K3] My K3 needs pimping

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

> On Mar 9, 2015, at 12:24 PM, Don Putnick via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Okay, folks. Please advise me on a worthy cause - my K3. I'm a casual DXer and I don't contest. My main modes are SSB and soundcard digital. I'm fully stocked with roofing filters, and I have the KPA500 and KAT500. Should my next purchase be a subreceiver or a panadapter, and why? 73 Don NA6Z K3 #5495

If you chase DX, the sub receiver makes it much easier to find the DX’ listening frequency — which means you can work him faster.

You can get some of the same effect by judiciously pressing the REV button, but using the sub receiver is way better.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email]
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901

______________________________________________________________
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
Message delivered to [hidden email]