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K3 on AM

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Frank MacDonell

K3 on AM

I have an Elecraft K3/10 getting great reception on AM using attic dipole
on 7.290 mHz. Does this mode transmit well for QRP? (I use digital modes
and do not own a mic.)
Thanks in advance.

--
Frank KD8FIP
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 on AM

Fred,

I am not certain whether your question is serious or in jest.

First, an AM station on 7.290 kHz is a commercial; broadcast station,
and likely has no reception capability - so why would one want to
transmit in AM on that frequency with any transceiver.

Yes, the K3 can transmit AM *if* the 6 kHz roofing filter is installed.
As for AM QRP operation, I have my doubts - SSB is much more effective.
The power for an AM station is split 4 ways - 1/2 of the power goes into
the carrier (which carries no intelligence) and 1/4 of the total power
goes into each of the sidebands, So if one transmits "QRP" at 10 watts
AM, the amount of effective "talk" power that goes into each sideband is
2. watts. You would have a +3db advantage just by going to SSB at 5
watts PEP. If you consider the total power consumed, a SSB signal with
a PEP rating of 10 watts will produce a much more copyable signal than
10 watts AM.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/5/2011 7:58 PM, Frank MacDonell wrote:
> I have an Elecraft K3/10 getting great reception on AM using attic dipole
> on 7.290 mHz. Does this mode transmit well for QRP? (I use digital modes
> and do not own a mic.)
> Thanks in advance.
>
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Grant Youngman

Re: K3 on AM

Actually, it's certainly worth trying. Not a Vik II or 500, but for goodness sake, try it out. Look also for local weekend morning round tables on 75 if you can get any kind of an antenna there. The power of the K3/10 isn't all that different from many mobile rigs in the 50s/60s, and all the better with a better antenna.

As to 7290 +/-, its fine during the day before the SWCB stations take over at night, but watch for the 7290 traffic net before noon or so -- I forget what their schedule is, although 'traffic' isn't much of what they do. But 7285/7295 are close enough. Also 7160 +/- is a frequented AM spot. Call CQ -- someone may be lurking and reply even if you're not pinning the meter ...

Don't let yourself be scared off. Put that thing on AM. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Grant/NQ5T

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 5, 2011, at 7:38 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Fred,
>
> I am not certain whether your question is serious or in jest.
>
> First, an AM station on 7.290 kHz is a commercial; broadcast station,
> and likely has no reception capability - so why would one want to
> transmit in AM on that frequency with any transceiver.
>
> Yes, the K3 can transmit AM *if* the 6 kHz roofing filter is installed.
> As for AM QRP operation, I have my doubts - SSB is much more effective.
> The power for an AM station is split 4 ways - 1/2 of the power goes into
> the carrier (which carries no intelligence) and 1/4 of the total power
> goes into each of the sidebands, So if one transmits "QRP" at 10 watts
> AM, the amount of effective "talk" power that goes into each sideband is
> 2. watts. You would have a +3db advantage just by going to SSB at 5
> watts PEP. If you consider the total power consumed, a SSB signal with
> a PEP rating of 10 watts will produce a much more copyable signal than
> 10 watts AM.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/5/2011 7:58 PM, Frank MacDonell wrote:
>> I have an Elecraft K3/10 getting great reception on AM using attic dipole
>> on 7.290 mHz. Does this mode transmit well for QRP? (I use digital modes
>> and do not own a mic.)
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

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k6rb

Re: K3 on AM

In reply to this post by Frank MacDonell

Now that 10 m AM is "back," I have started firing up my Globe King 500 on
that band/mode. AM is truly not a QRP mode. But, if you want to try, go
for it. As has been pointed out, only half the power goes into the AM
sidebands. The carrier is discarded, so offers no communications ROI for
the power it consumes. It is not an efficient mode by any stretch.
However, a well modulated AM signal, under stable band conditions sounds
about 10,000 better than a sideband signal. It's a bit like driving a 1939
Ford coupe. It ain't efficient, but it's different than driving a Prius.
If I'm looking for efficiency, I drive the Prius and I operate CW. If I'm
looking for nostalgia, I drive the Ford coupe and operate 10 AM.

Rob K6RB

> I have an Elecraft K3/10 getting great reception on AM using attic dipole
> on 7.290 mHz. Does this mode transmit well for QRP? (I use digital modes
> and do not own a mic.)
> Thanks in advance.
>
> --
> Frank KD8FIP
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Mike WA8BXN

Re: K3 on AM

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

7290 KHz is used for amateur AM activity. As for qrp AM, check out
smallwonderlabs.com for the retro-40 that was added to the product line.
Must be a fair number of hams that think QRP AM is a good thing!

73 - Mike WA8BXN

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

From: Don Wilhelm
Date: 12/5/2011 8:38:31 PM
To: Frank MacDonell
Cc: Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 on AM

Fred,

I am not certain whether your question is serious or in jest.

First, an AM station on 7.290 kHz is a commercial; broadcast station,
And likely has no reception capability - so why would one want to
Transmit in AM on that frequency with any transceiver.

Yes, the K3 can transmit AM *if* the 6 kHz roofing filter is installed.
As for AM QRP operation, I have my doubts - SSB is much more effective.
The power for an AM station is split 4 ways - 1/2 of the power goes into
The carrier (which carries no intelligence) and 1/4 of the total power
Goes into each of the sidebands, So if one transmits "QRP" at 10 watts
AM, the amount of effective "talk" power that goes into each sideband is
2. Watts. You would have a +3db advantage just by going to SSB at 5
Watts PEP. If you consider the total power consumed, a SSB signal with
A PEP rating of 10 watts will produce a much more copyable signal than
10 watts AM.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/5/2011 7:58 PM, Frank MacDonell wrote:
> I have an Elecraft K3/10 getting great reception on AM using attic dipole
> on 7.290 mHz. Does this mode transmit well for QRP? (I use digital modes
> and do not own a mic.)
> Thanks in advance.
>
______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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