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K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

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Dietmar Otterstaetter

K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

Hy @ all,
I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12 and 16 mhz like my old IC706.

I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3 and KX3

all the best to you and yours,
fair winds for the sailors,
Dietmar, DL4HAO
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Dave Johnson

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

Dietmar

The K3 will only operate on or near the amateur radio bands and cannot
be "opened up". It does however work well on Pactor up to at least P3.

A more suitable transceiver for use on a yacht would be a Kenwood
TS480SAT, the remote head makes for a neat installation. The ALC, CW
keying envelope, synthesiser, etc on the 480 is vastly superior to an
Icom IC706. The 480 works fine on Pactor (to P3). I have no experience
of "wide banding" a 480...

Using amateur equipment on marine channels is not covered by your
marine licence and may leave you open to prosecution by your licensing
authority...

73 Dave, G4AON
(Using a K3 with SCS PTC-IIex on Pactor III)

I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts
PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the
sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12
and 16 mhz like my old IC706.

I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this
option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3
and KX3
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N5GE

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

The K3 can be opened up, but I believe you must have a USA ham
license before Elecraft will give you a way to do it. Contact
Elecraft Support about it.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:26:43 +0000, Dave <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>Dietmar
>
>The K3 will only operate on or near the amateur radio bands and cannot
>be "opened up". It does however work well on Pactor up to at least P3.
>
>A more suitable transceiver for use on a yacht would be a Kenwood
>TS480SAT, the remote head makes for a neat installation. The ALC, CW
>keying envelope, synthesiser, etc on the 480 is vastly superior to an
>Icom IC706. The 480 works fine on Pactor (to P3). I have no experience
>of "wide banding" a 480...
>
>Using amateur equipment on marine channels is not covered by your
>marine licence and may leave you open to prosecution by your licensing
>authority...
>
>73 Dave, G4AON
>(Using a K3 with SCS PTC-IIex on Pactor III)
>
>
>I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts
>PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the
>sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12
>and 16 mhz like my old IC706.
>
>I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this
>option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3
>and KX3
>______________________________________________________________
>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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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

Stephen G4SJP

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

You just need a good reason, not a US ticket. However, I'm not sure that
Elecraft would endorse marine operation!

I was sent a file to open mine for 60m use some years ago.

73 Stephen G4SJP

On 21 January 2013 12:50, Tom H Childers <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> The K3 can be opened up, but I believe you must have a USA ham
> license before Elecraft will give you a way to do it. Contact
> Elecraft Support about it.
>
> 73,
> Tom
> Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
> ARRL Lifetime Member
> QCWA Lifetime Member
>
>
> On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:26:43 +0000, Dave <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> >Dietmar
> >
> >The K3 will only operate on or near the amateur radio bands and cannot
> >be "opened up". It does however work well on Pactor up to at least P3.
> >
> >A more suitable transceiver for use on a yacht would be a Kenwood
> >TS480SAT, the remote head makes for a neat installation. The ALC, CW
> >keying envelope, synthesiser, etc on the 480 is vastly superior to an
> >Icom IC706. The 480 works fine on Pactor (to P3). I have no experience
> >of "wide banding" a 480...
> >
> >Using amateur equipment on marine channels is not covered by your
> >marine licence and may leave you open to prosecution by your licensing
> >authority...
> >
> >73 Dave, G4AON
> >(Using a K3 with SCS PTC-IIex on Pactor III)
> >
> >
> >I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts
> >PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the
> >sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12
> >and 16 mhz like my old IC706.
> >
> >I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this
> >option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3
> >and KX3
> >______________________________________________________________
> >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
>

M0AFJ

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

In reply to this post by N5GE

Blimey, they will want us foreigners to have a green card next...

Best regards, Tim Hague
Skype m0afj.Tim
Sent on my iPad

On 21 Jan 2013, at 12:50, Tom H Childers <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> The K3 can be opened up, but I believe you must have a USA ham
> license before Elecraft will give you a way to do it. Contact
> Elecraft Support about it.
>
> 73,
> Tom
> Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
> ARRL Lifetime Member
> QCWA Lifetime Member
>
>
> On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:26:43 +0000, Dave <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> Dietmar
>>
>> The K3 will only operate on or near the amateur radio bands and cannot
>> be "opened up". It does however work well on Pactor up to at least P3.
>>
>> A more suitable transceiver for use on a yacht would be a Kenwood
>> TS480SAT, the remote head makes for a neat installation. The ALC, CW
>> keying envelope, synthesiser, etc on the 480 is vastly superior to an
>> Icom IC706. The 480 works fine on Pactor (to P3). I have no experience
>> of "wide banding" a 480...
>>
>> Using amateur equipment on marine channels is not covered by your
>> marine licence and may leave you open to prosecution by your licensing
>> authority...
>>
>> 73 Dave, G4AON
>> (Using a K3 with SCS PTC-IIex on Pactor III)
>>
>>
>> I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts
>> PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the
>> sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12
>> and 16 mhz like my old IC706.
>>
>> I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this
>> option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3
>> and KX3
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

Matt Zilmer

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

In reply to this post by Dietmar Otterstaetter

Hi Dietmar,

4, 6, 12, and 16 MHz should work fine. For the K3, the range of 7.5
to 9 MHz is locked out for TX and isn't very sensitive on RX. This
range is too close to the 8.2 MHz IF to use. The KX3 has no such
restriction, however, being a Zero-IF architecture. The KX3 TX range
is wide open as shipped from the factory.

Elecraft have a PC program that removes the K3's TX restrictions
(except around 8 MHz). To get a copy, you should present Elecraft
with a copy of your Amateur license and any
qualifications/certifications for your command and craft.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:31:19 +0100, you wrote:

>Hy @ all,
>I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12 and 16 mhz like my old IC706.
>
>I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3 and KX3
>
>all the best to you and yours,
>fair winds for the sailors,
>Dietmar, DL4HAO
>______________________________________________________________
>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

Michael Adams

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

FWIW, the utility also does not unlock 27MHz, for hopefully obvious
reasons, although I imagine if you had a documented need to use the few
MARS frequencies in that band, they'd work with you to make that happen.
Also the KBPF3 is required if you're going to operate too far away from the
amateur bands.

One of these days, I'm going to have to remember to write in to see if
there is some documentation about what frequency ranges the KAT3 remembers
its settings for.

--
*Michael D. Adams* (N1EN)
Poquonock, Connecticut | [hidden email]

On Mon, Jan 21, 2013 at 9:41 AM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Elecraft have a PC program that removes the K3's TX restrictions
> (except around 8 MHz). To get a copy, you should present Elecraft
> with a copy of your Amateur license and any
> qualifications/certifications for your command and craft.
>
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N5GE

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

They will not unlock 27MHz.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member
NAVMARCORMARS Member

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:18:17 -0500, Michael Adams <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>FWIW, the utility also does not unlock 27MHz, for hopefully obvious
>reasons, although I imagine if you had a documented need to use the few
>MARS frequencies in that band, they'd work with you to make that happen.
>Also the KBPF3 is required if you're going to operate too far away from the
>amateur bands.
>
>One of these days, I'm going to have to remember to write in to see if
>there is some documentation about what frequency ranges the KAT3 remembers
>its settings for.

______________________________________________________________
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Amateur Radio Operator N5GE

mzilmer

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

This is true. There is a smallish guard band around the US CB 27 MHz frequency range; no TX inside of that range. It's something like 26.8 MHz to 27.5 where no TX is ever permitted.

Elecraft's standard unlock utility program unlocks TX outside the Amateur bands from 2 to 25 MHz. The region from 7.5 to 9.0 is always protected, being too near the 8.215 MHz IF to be usable.

There is a utility that may be provided separately that unlocks the range below 10m that is not included in the lockout for CB. So MARS and CAP frequencies between 25 and the lower end of the CB guard band, plus frequencies from the top of the guard band up may be used for TX.

There are a number of MARS frequencies at or around 27 MHz, mostly allocated for phone patch and relay activities.

Matt Zilmer
Consultant - Product Management Dept.
Magellan Navigation / MiTAC Digital Corp.
Tel: (909) 394-6052
Cell: (909) 730-6552
In status quo voluntas non sufficit

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tom H Childers
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 8:07 AM
To: Michael Adams
Cc: 'Elecraft Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

They will not unlock 27MHz.

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member
NAVMARCORMARS Member

On Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:18:17 -0500, Michael Adams <[hidden email]>
wrote:

>FWIW, the utility also does not unlock 27MHz, for hopefully obvious
>reasons, although I imagine if you had a documented need to use the few
>MARS frequencies in that band, they'd work with you to make that happen.
>Also the KBPF3 is required if you're going to operate too far away from
>the amateur bands.
>
>One of these days, I'm going to have to remember to write in to see if
>there is some documentation about what frequency ranges the KAT3
>remembers its settings for.

______________________________________________________________
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Barry K3NDM

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

In reply to this post by Dietmar Otterstaetter

Dieter,
I suspect that the Elecraft radios will not open up like older
radios from Icom or Kenwood. However, that should not be a problem with
email over HF if you use the Winlink network and Winmor vice an SCS
modem and Sailmail. Getting onto the marine SSB frequencies might be a
problem.

I have worked with a number of boat owners who sail in blue water.
My suggestion to them is that they have both a marine SSB and a ham
radio on board. My thinking on this is redundancy for safety at sea.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

On 1/21/2013 2:31 AM, Dietmar Otterstaetter wrote:

> Hy @ all,
> I would like to replace my old IC-706 with a K3 or KX3 (with 100 watts PA) but for that I need to know, if it is possible to send on the sailmail.com channels and on the ssb ship-ship frequencies at 4 6 8 12 and 16 mhz like my old IC706.
>
> I think, it´s not an issue like all modern transceivers have this option, but I did not found any informations how to "open" it for K3 and KX3
>
> all the best to you and yours,
> fair winds for the sailors,
> Dietmar, DL4HAO
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Eugene Balinski

Re: K3 or KX3 on my sailing yacht?

In reply to this post by Stephen G4SJP

All,

IMHO, no amateur series transceiver should ever be used
as a safety-of-life marine transceiver. Only marine style
radios should be used for same.

The main reason is the highly corrosive environment in
which the radio lives. Most amateur radio sets are not
sealed in the same way that a true marine radio is.
Continued exposure to salt air/moisture can rapidly
corrode a radio leaving it useless when it is most needed.

Other items in favor of a pure marine transceiver are
the built-it ITU channelization, and single button distress
system - Digital Selective Calling (DSC). DSC has the
ability to be connected to the ship's GPS and to
auto-broadcast the ships name and position with the push of
a single button. Depending upon the system, the DSC may be
able to broadcast the type of emergency as well.

Lastly, many of the marine HF radios can be "opened" to
allow operation on the ham bands allowing check in on the
Maritime Mobile Net and others.

Once again IMHO. YMMV
73

Gene K1NR

along with the marine channelization and
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