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A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that
if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock board into the rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ coupling stage which will prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction with a pc) as a panadapter? Thanks -- Stephen Pearce zl1any Whangarei _______________________________________________ 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 |
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Stephen
Please comment by Jack Smith K8ZOA on Z10000 interface in topic "K3 SSB Strange Behavior". Bob KD8CGH |
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Thanks - the post was actually captioned 2nd Run on Z10000 Buffer
Amplifier. For the K3, the universal model of the Z10000 would be usable and will provide around 70 dB isolation, which, when combined with the isolation in the K3's internal source follower IF buffer pick-off amplifier should be enough to let a Softrock receiver work without interference to the K3. I've delayed receipt of my K3 until the 2nd receiver issues are sorted out, so I can't run tests, but based on the numbers involved (Softrock local oscillator output around -40 dBm if my memory is correct) the Z10000 and K3 internal isolation in tandem should be adequate. A related issue is whether it is necessary/desirable to interpose a bandpass filter between the K3's IF output and the Softrock receiver input. There's a lot of stuff that comes out the K3's IF output port, signals from internal oscillators, etc. I don't have an opinion on whether a 300 or 400 KHz wide bandpass filter will be necessary or not. Again, that requires some measurements that I can not perform until my K3 arrives. Since the Softrock works with an antenna connected to it, I suspect that additional filtering won't be required, but it would be nice to verify my suspiscion. I also have a connectorized version of the buffer amplifier, but had not decided whether to make it available or not. I use them around my shop when I need extra amplification for a particular project. Jack K8ZOA rkayakr wrote: > Stephen > > Please comment by Jack Smith K8ZOA on Z10000 interface in topic "K3 SSB > Strange Behavior". > > Bob > KD8CGH > _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by stephen pearce
I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator circuit
will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching levels up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first cut at the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan before my K3 arrives. At down east microwave ( http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), see the <http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdf>INA10386 (DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only $5. Very easy to use something like this, I think. Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get enough isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have a usable signal level on the softrock panadaptor. I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it takes more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. Jerry W4UK At 07:29 PM 2/11/2008, stephen pearce wrote: >A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that >if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 >there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock >board into the >rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... > >Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ >coupling stage which will >prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction >with a pc) as a panadapter? > >Thanks > > >-- >Stephen Pearce >zl1any >Whangarei >_______________________________________________ >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 |
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Jerry:
You might first wish to measure the reverse isolation of a MMIC before you make that statement. While they are great devices, isolation is not their strong suit. The Gali74, which I use for a variety of purposes, has an isolation of around 28 dB at the K2's IF frequency. The gain is 25 dB, so if you pad the output for unity gain, you are around 53 dB. With a Softrock's typical -40 dBm LO leakage, that strikes me a bit on the marginal side. Jack K8ZOA Jerry Flanders wrote: > I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator circuit > will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching levels > up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first cut at > the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan before my > K3 arrives. > > At down east microwave ( > http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), > see the > <http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdf>INA10386 > (DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only $5. > Very easy to use something like this, I think. > > Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get enough > isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have a usable > signal level on the softrock panadaptor. > > I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it takes > more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. > > Jerry W4UK > > > At 07:29 PM 2/11/2008, stephen pearce wrote: >> A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that >> if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 >> there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock >> board into the >> rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... >> >> Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ >> coupling stage which will >> prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction >> with a pc) as a panadapter? >> >> Thanks >> >> >> -- >> Stephen Pearce >> zl1any >> Whangarei >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > 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 |
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The Softrock receiver I received came with a common 32768 crystal,
giving a LO of 8192, far out of the passband of the roofing filter. I wonder if that won't help a bit. Dave W5DHM _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by stephen pearce
I have not found that to be the case. I tried a number of MMICs and
found them lacking in the kind of reverse isolation needed for this job. I use the same device in my LP-PAN panadapter as K8ZOA uses in his Z10000 buffer. I am seeing >100dB isolation of the LO signal from my panadapter, which uses a mixer that is roughly similar to the SoftRock. Since my IF is at 8215 kHz, any LO leakage would be seen at the center of the panadapter display. In my case, the leakage signal is below the noise floor. With a SoftRock, the leakage signal would appear 23 kHz away from the K3 IF. I wouldn't use a SoftRock without a buffer, and if I did, I would sure make sure it was disabled during xmit. For reference, I measured LO leakage of a SoftRock on the order of -40dBm, which translates to over S9+30dB. It was also mentioned about filtering the stuff coming out of the K3 IF port. In my testing, I have found that additional bandpass filtering between the K3 IF and buffer are definitely required to avoid spurious mixing products between signals in the K3 BPF passbands and the internal signals coming out the essentially unfiltered K3 IF port (mostly LO and its harmonics). This is especially the case on 40m where a lot of strong signals can appear in the passband. I have found a 4th order bandpass filter to be acceptable for this task. 73, Larry N8LP > Message: 48 > Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:46:27 -0500 > From: Jerry Flanders <[hidden email]> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 if isolation of softrock lite used as > panadapter > To: "stephen pearce" <[hidden email]>, [hidden email] > Message-ID: <[hidden email]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > > I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator circuit > will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching levels > up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first cut at > the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan before > my K3 arrives. > > At down east microwave ( http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), > see the > <http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdf>INA10386 > (DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only $5. > Very easy to use something like this, I think. > > Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get > enough isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have a > usable signal level on the softrock panadaptor. > > I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it takes > more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. > > Jerry W4UK > 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 |
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In reply to this post by Jerry Flanders
Hello,
Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN _______________________________________________ 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 |
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At 09:50 AM 2/12/2008, DW Holtman wrote...
>Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered >what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I >understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm >all wet. If you received spam from a list subscriber who obviously got your address from this list, IMHO they should be removed/banned from the list. Whether they are a list subscriber or not, you should report them to their ISP, they are no doubt in violation of their TOS/AUP. _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by DW Holtman
Tue 12 Feb 2008 09:50:45 EST DW Holtman (WB7SSSN) wrote ...
Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. -- No, unpcbs are not really necessary. (If they were, then as you point out, Elecraft would include them with the K2.) However, they are really convenient. As is our rework-free K2 assembly method and our K2 internal mic adaptor. Since Elecraft chooses not to include a flier describing our products with the K2, replying to Reflector posts like yours is the best way for us to make K2 owners aware of our products before they begin assembly. FYI, there are many K2 owners who did not have the benefit of learning about our products until they had already built their K2s. My off Reflector emails to you were intended solely to give you the opportunity to choose for yourself whether to take advantage of our products. If you visit our Frequently Asked Questions page and the eHam Reviews, you'll find comments from many delighted users of our products (including many posts in the Reflector archives). 73, Gary KI4GGX (unpcbs.com webmaster) _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by DW Holtman
DW Holtman wrote:
> I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, > why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? You wouldn't. The benefit of the unpcbs & such is that you can eliminate rework when adding options. Folks like me can start with a basic K2 with the rework eliminators and then add options later without having to do any rework on the K2 boards. Some value this approach, others scoff at it. In your case, if you have all the options you'll ever want, won't be making any changes and never plan to sell the K2, then you can ignore the UNPCBS. If you want to try different options, or may some day sell the K2, then the UNPCBS / Rework Eliminators are nice to have. Elecraft built the K2 to be inexpensive and leaving out a handful of parts apparently was a small part of that plan. I'm one of those who wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start to be fully plug & play. I want the freedom to just plug in an option without having to make mods to the base unit, and then to later unplug it and return to the stock radio. UNPCBS & Rework Eliminators (whatever they're called these days) have allowed my K2 to be just that. > Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what from > this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? You make it sound as if some robot is scanning the list for a bunch of e-mail addresses and then mass spamming us. I don't think that's the case. These products do not benefit you once your K2 is built so the time to consider them is at the start. Gary is part of the list and will let people know about his product at the appropriate time. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 Wave 3 - _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by DW Holtman
There is no real need for the UNPCBs whether one has ordered all the
options or not. When building the K2, follow the instructions in the manual. There is an optimum time to install the parts for the different options and the manual tells you when to do that. I would suggest only one exception to that which is to install the KSB2 components that go onto the front panel during the population of the Front Panel Board sometime before you install the knobs. The idea is that the base K2 should be tested before any changes for options are made. Do not install the K60XV changes until you have completed anf tested the base K2 (that is pointed out in the manual). The amount of extra work to build the base K2 and then add the options later is (IMHO) trivial, but others may differ. Yes, there is a small amount of desoldering to be done, but in each case the component already soldered in can be destroyed and its leads removed one at a time. The solder pads can be cleaned up with solder wick afterwards and if solder remains in the hole, you can heat it and use a stainless steel sewing needle or a toothpick to push through the hole and open it for the new component lead. 73, Don W3FPR PS: If you feel your email address has been 'mined' from the list, you may want to report that to the list manager, Eric Swartz ([hidden email]). DW Holtman wrote: > Hello, > > Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where > additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option > that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to > pay for UNPCBS? > > Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered > what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I > understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm > all wet. > 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 |
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In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith
Ah - you need a K3 then :-)
On 12/2/08 15:31, "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> sent: > I'm one of those who > wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start > to be fully plug & play. -- It came to me that reform should begin at home, and since that day I have not had time to remake the world. -Will Durant, historian (1885-1981) _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by DW Holtman
Hello DW,
There are a few people who are making things for the K2 that are not provided by Elecraft that provide additional capabilities and convenience - these are individuals, like Gary Hvizdak, Don Wilhelm, Mike Phipps and Jack Smith, who don't sell a lot of their products and don't make any significant profit from them either. You'll see them post information about their products to the reflector, and occasionally, as in Gary's case, send e-mail directly to someone who has just ordered a K2 and not burden the entire list. My K2 was built with Gary's UNPCBs, and now includes Don's fixed audio output board (which he no longer as available but may be picked up by Tom Hammond, N0SS), and which, among other things, I use to drive Jack Smith's Z100 tuning indicator. There are obviously differing opinions about the usefulness of the UNPCBs. Don Wilhelm, who is a very experienced builder (and an invaluable resource to all of us - he's helped me solve a number of problems with my K2), has no problems removing and replacing components - but some of us do. Even if you've ordered all of the K2 options you're ever likely to install, you still need to build the basic K2 first and calibrate and test it before adding the options. That means removing and replacing components. I built by K2 with the UNPCBs several years ago and then added options one at a time over the last few years. For me, adding options were then really just plug-and-play, and I avoided the dreaded "unsoldering and replacing components". The UNPCBs had another advantage when my K2 developed a problem that required the removal of several of the options to trace down - all I had to do was plug the UNPCBs back in, in place of the removed options. Without them, I would have had to again unsolder, remove and replace some components. Don does raise a good point with the UNPCBs in that installing the K60XV UNPCB may cause calibration problems (if I did, I wasn't aware of it and my K2 seemed to work fine). But there appear to be no issues with the remaining UNPCBs. Bob W1SRB -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of DW Holtman Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:51 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello, Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by M0XDF
... Yep, I ordered mine in Sept. :-)
-----Original Message----- David Ferrington, M0XDF Ah - you need a K3 then :-) On 12/2/08 15:31, "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> sent: > I'm one of those who > wish they had NOT done it that but instead built the K2 from the start > to be fully plug & play. _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Don raises a very good point here:
> The idea is that the base K2 should be tested before any changes for options are made. Doing the rework eliminators departs from this recommendation. Gary & crew publish a very complete set of instructions for how to modify your K2 manual prior to building the K2. I followed Gary's edits to a T and my K2, complete with a full set of rework eliminators, went together just fine. BUT, if you're a bit lazy and don't do the manual update PRIOR to building. If you try to jump between the 2 manuals in real time as you build, if you screw something up, then you have a modified K2 that isn't working and that is tougher to debug than a stock K2. - Keith N1AS - - K2 5411.ssb.100 - - K3 Wave 3 - _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Solosko, Robert B (Bob)
Hello,
After reading this informative and well thought out letter (see below), I have a better understanding on the situation. The people mentioned in the letter has been helping the Elecraft community for years, I'm new and should not be so skeptical about what is going on until I have a better understanding of the situation. I'm going to order what I need in the way of UNPCBs. It should help adding the 100 watt unit etc, after the basic testing has been done with the basic K2 unit. Thank to everyone for all of the inputs. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSN ----- Original Message ----- From: "Solosko, Robert B (Bob)" <[hidden email]> To: "DW Holtman" <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:19 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello DW, There are a few people who are making things for the K2 that are not provided by Elecraft that provide additional capabilities and convenience - these are individuals, like Gary Hvizdak, Don Wilhelm, Mike Phipps and Jack Smith, who don't sell a lot of their products and don't make any significant profit from them either. You'll see them post information about their products to the reflector, and occasionally, as in Gary's case, send e-mail directly to someone who has just ordered a K2 and not burden the entire list. My K2 was built with Gary's UNPCBs, and now includes Don's fixed audio output board (which he no longer as available but may be picked up by Tom Hammond, N0SS), and which, among other things, I use to drive Jack Smith's Z100 tuning indicator. There are obviously differing opinions about the usefulness of the UNPCBs. Don Wilhelm, who is a very experienced builder (and an invaluable resource to all of us - he's helped me solve a number of problems with my K2), has no problems removing and replacing components - but some of us do. Even if you've ordered all of the K2 options you're ever likely to install, you still need to build the basic K2 first and calibrate and test it before adding the options. That means removing and replacing components. I built by K2 with the UNPCBs several years ago and then added options one at a time over the last few years. For me, adding options were then really just plug-and-play, and I avoided the dreaded "unsoldering and replacing components". The UNPCBs had another advantage when my K2 developed a problem that required the removal of several of the options to trace down - all I had to do was plug the UNPCBs back in, in place of the removed options. Without them, I would have had to again unsolder, remove and replace some components. Don does raise a good point with the UNPCBs in that installing the K60XV UNPCB may cause calibration problems (if I did, I wasn't aware of it and my K2 seemed to work fine). But there appear to be no issues with the remaining UNPCBs. Bob W1SRB -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of DW Holtman Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 9:51 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] UNPCBs Hello, Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay for UNPCBS? Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSSN _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Jack Smith-6
Thanks, Jack
I just recently realized that many people assume that one sets the softrock center freq to the center of the IF passband. This would require MUCH isolation to keep the LO under control. This is NOT how I would recommend it be used. I would set the softrock's oscillator below the IF passband, outside the area passed by the roofing filter. Since all I ever use in my panadaptor with either my 756PRO3 or SDR-1000 or sofrtock 40 is about +/- 12 KHz anyway, I will be quite happy setting the LO to 12 KHz below the IF center, and let the SR panadaptor display the K3 tuned freq +/- 12 KHz. With this design, isolation problems may be simplified. Also, there is no need for a premium soundcard. I hope that, with the LO well outside the IF passband, we will need considerably less isolation. I actually have a premium soundcard available, so I can move the LO even farther away if that helps. But I won't know for sure until mine comes in and I warm up the soldering iron. Jerry W4UK At 06:14 AM 2/12/2008, you wrote: >Jerry: > >You might first wish to measure the reverse isolation of a MMIC >before you make that statement. While they are great devices, >isolation is not their strong suit. > >The Gali74, which I use for a variety of purposes, has an isolation >of around 28 dB at the K2's IF frequency. The gain is 25 dB, so if >you pad the output for unity gain, you are around 53 dB. With a >Softrock's typical -40 dBm LO leakage, that strikes me a bit on the >marginal side. > > >Jack K8ZOA > > > >Jerry Flanders wrote: >>I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator >>circuit will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching >>levels up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first >>cut at the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan >>before my K3 arrives. >> >>At down east microwave ( http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), >>see the >><http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdf>INA10386 >>(DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only >>$5. Very easy to use something like this, I think. >> >>Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get >>enough isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have >>a usable signal level on the softrock panadaptor. >> >>I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it >>takes more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. >> >>Jerry W4UK >> >> >>At 07:29 PM 2/11/2008, stephen pearce wrote: >>>A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that >>>if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 >>>there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock >>>board into the >>>rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... >>> >>>Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ >>>coupling stage which will >>>prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction >>>with a pc) as a panadapter? >>> >>>Thanks >>> >>> >>>-- >>>Stephen Pearce >>>zl1any >>>Whangarei >>>_______________________________________________ >>>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 _______________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by DW Holtman
I liked the rework eliminators. If I am troubleshooting the rig or
adding features, it is just an unplug and a plug. I do not have to take the rig apart, remove or add hard ware to the circuits to add features. I think they are well worth the minor added cost. After damaging my DSP, I was able to unplug it and plug in the board and I was done. YMMV. Good luck, K2 is a great rig. Dave Wilburn K4DGW K2/100 - S/N 5982 DW Holtman wrote: > Hello, > > Are these really necessary? Didn't Elecraft make the K2 to where > additional parts are really not necessary? I have ordered every option > that I will ever want along with a Elecraft Mic, why would I want to pay > for UNPCBS? > > Should companies be able to "mine" information such as who ordered what > from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand > that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. > > Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. > > Best, > > DW Holtman > > WB7SSSN > > _______________________________________________ > 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 |
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