KX1 Ideas
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Hi,
I would appreciate feedback on these ideas. * How good is the KX1's automatic ATU? I have seen suggestions that it is good with long wires, myself I was thinking about using lightweight dipoles. I am sure I will buy this no matter what. * I am not planning to buy the KX1 paddles, rather take my hefty Kent paddles with me. $69 (or so) for the small paddles is rather a lot and I have two Kent paddles already ($69 buys a lot of beer). I assume that I can use non-Elecraft paddles without buying the KXPD1 option. * I am planning to use an external 12V 3AH NiMh battery rather than internal AA. I have two of these which I bought from http://www.qrpproject.de/ a few years ago. * I am planning to buy the 30m adapter. FWIW I am getting sorted out for SOTA Switzerland, the mountains and dog are ready, just need the radio. Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch _______________________________________________ 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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I received so much +ve feedback that I visited a 'certain' website, filled
in a few fields and the text below appeared: Order Processed Successfully! Thank you for placing your order with Elecraft. Oh dear - I am now on the slippery slope! The view from my shack is here - http://www.hb9drv.ch/PICT5.JPG If you look between the two satellite antennas you see a nice mountain - just 2,800 masl. Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "LA2MOA" [hidden email] [Great advice snipped] _______________________________________________ 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
Hello Simon,
I just built my KX1 and like you thought the paddles wouldn't be good for me. Wayne, N6KR convinced me to try them, and I must admit as he said, they grow on you, and they are really convenient. When constructed properly according to the instructions, they actually have a nice feel, and having them able to be attached to the radio for hand-held operation is actually a plus. The ATU is quite good, and I have used it to tune my PAC-12 vertical, (set up with the whip fully extended and let the tuner give the exact match to save time), all my home antennas, (folded dipole, tri-band beam and a 130 foot inverted U wire that's end fed). It matched to 1.5:1 or better on the wires. It would match the PAC-12 when the appropriate coil was installed, and would match 30 meters with the 40 meter coil installed, but not radiate as well. It would not match 30 or 40 with the 20 meter coil installed or 40 with the 30 meter coil installed to below 2.1:1 SWR. The beam, of course loaded fine 1.0:1 indicated on 20 meters. The internal AA pack is included with all KX1's, so buy some good alkaline batteries to take with you anyway as they might come in handy. The rig will take its power from whichever input has the highest voltage, so yes, the small gel cells will be very useful as well. You should get 4 watts out with the 12V gel cells, and 1.9 or so with the AA's. The RX in the KX1 is no K2, but then that's not surprising with the Gilbert Cell mixer (SA-612) in the front end. It does have extremely adequate sensitivity, and the 4 crystal, adjustable filter provides excellent selectivity. It also has a feature I haven't seen on other small DDS transceivers. You can switch between USB, LSB and Normal (CW). Of course, it won't transmit SSB, but when in the USB/LSB modes, it offsets the TX frequency so that when an SSB station is tuned in to receive properly, the SSB operator will hear your CW signal at about 600 Hz tone. This can be a real asset in an emergency (provided the SSB operator can copy CW hi hi). I hadn't originally planned to get the KXPD1 paddles, but now that I have them, I find that I like them and don't carry my other small paddles in the KX1's travel case. Jim, W0EB K2 #4338, KX1 #1268 > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Simon > Brown (HB9DRV) > Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:49 AM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: [Elecraft] KX1 Ideas > > > Hi, > > I would appreciate feedback on these ideas. > > * How good is the KX1's automatic ATU? I have seen > suggestions that it is > good with long wires, myself I was thinking about using > lightweight dipoles. > I am sure I will buy this no matter what. > > * I am not planning to buy the KX1 paddles, rather take my hefty Kent > paddles with me. $69 (or so) for the small paddles is rather > a lot and I > have two Kent paddles already ($69 buys a lot of beer). I > assume that I can > use non-Elecraft paddles without buying the KXPD1 option. > > * I am planning to use an external 12V 3AH NiMh battery > rather than internal > AA. I have two of these which I bought from > http://www.qrpproject.de/ a few > years ago. > > * I am planning to buy the 30m adapter. > > FWIW I am getting sorted out for SOTA Switzerland, the > mountains and dog are > ready, just need the radio. > > Simon Brown > --- > www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch > > _______________________________________________ > 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
Hi Simon,
I will tell y'all what I do, but I think that many will think me not a purist and disagree. I think Wayne gave a description of all the Elecraft tuners relative to each other. I think the KAT100 is best, and from what I recall from Wayne probably then the KAT2, then the KAT1, then the T1, then the KXAT1. Its not that one is _BETTER_ than the other, but based on size, etc, some have more elements in them and thus more switching choices. The KXAT1 being so small has fewer choices and less range than say the KAT100. However that doesn't mean the KAT100 is perfect although its one of the best ATUs on the market. I find for example that even something as basic as tuning a 40 meter dipole on 20 meters can be difficult for the KAT100. A dipole is just not easy to tune on odd harmonics. Yes, there are tricks like shortening the feed line, using a 4:1 balun, shorting out the two wires, adding inductances or capacitances, etc, but that can be a pain to remember, especially when you have a lot of band combinations, and are in the field. I did that once for field day: "let me see, 80 meters, how much ladder line do I add?" So this is what I do. For QRP, using the KAT2, I have an small manual tuner, I think its called a Norcal tuner. Anyway it is very reliable and I put it between the antenna and K2. I have a list of manual tuner settings that were figured out beforehand that either give me 1:1 or reduce the SWR enough so that the KAT2 when used in series will always give me a 1:1 SWR. The advantage is that once I tune up on a band I can just hit the K2 tune button every 10 kHz or so and get a 1:1 SWR across the band. I have done the same thing with my KAT100 using an MFJ 949E. I can't really use 20 meters without it, and I am not willing to go out in a hurricane and add an eigth wave to my feedline to get the antenna to tune. Using the manual tuner is doing essentially what all the other tricks also do: they all adjust the impedence of the antenna system down to where the KXAT1 will work so it is a valid method. Its just that all the adjustments and tricks have been jammed into a nice little box. I learned this years ago when I had a KNWD TS850SAT. The darn tuner was not hooked up in receive, just in transmit so in order to hear anything I needed the manual tuner in line just to hear some signals. In your case there are some very nice little tuners out there that you can use with the KXAT1. I will be giving a K2 seminar tommorrow nite at the club meeting and a friend is bringing her KX1, so I will finally be able to touch one. Regards, Steve, W2MY Corpus Christi -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/149 - Release Date: 10/25/2005 _______________________________________________ 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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One big advantage for me of the KX1's ATU is using it in winter when
it's -20C. Manual tuners tend to lose their appeal. I don't have many trees up at 3,000 masl but do have a nice 12m Spider Beam fibreglass pole and also there are many ski-lift masts just wait to be used :-) Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Pituch" <[hidden email]> > Hi Simon, > I will tell y'all what I do, but I think that many will think me not a > purist and disagree. > [chopalot] _______________________________________________ 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
Hi, Simon.
Jim, W0EB, wrote: The internal AA pack is included with all KX1's, so buy some good alkaline batteries to take with you anyway as they might come in handy. The rig will take its power from whichever input has the highest voltage, so yes, the small gel cells will be very useful as well. You should get 4 watts out with the 12V gel cells, and 1.9 or so with the AA's. I'd suggest lithium batteries instead. They are much lighter than the alkalines and last for longer. Buy one set and fit them internally then never let your external gel cell get below 9V and you will always have the lithiums to call on in an emergency :) If you want to run the gel cell down below 9V often then install a connector on the internal battery line and you can take the case off and reconnect the lithiums in an emergency. Regards, Martin. ___________________________________________________________ To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.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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I use the 10x AA holder from Mouser.com ($2) for external NiMH as it
fits neatly under the KX1. Leigh / WA5ZNU _______________________________________________ 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 Jim Sheldon
Jim Sheldon wrote:
> The internal AA pack is included with all KX1's, so buy some good alkaline > batteries to take with you anyway as they might come in handy. I don't think that, if I had a KX1, I would do this! At least, I would remove the batteries after every use. Just yesterday my maglite stopped working. Opening it, I discovered that an alkaline battery had leaked. It was quite a job to get it out and clean the gunk from the tube. Note that I am very careful not to leave discharged batteries in the flashlight -- it had worked fine the day before. This is the second time in several years that an alkaline battery has done this to me. I don't trust the suckers, and I certainly wouldn't risk something like a KX1. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ 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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Removing the batteries when the unit will not be used for awhile is
good advice. I use lithium AAs almost exclusively in my KX1. They have a flat discharge curve, a big advantage over Alkalines since transmit power doesn't gradually decrease. And so far, I've never seen one leak. 73, Wayne N6KR --- 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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One other consideration - in winter it's often -20C on the mountain tops -
so an external battery in my inside pocket may be an advantage. Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "wayne burdick" <[hidden email]> > Removing the batteries when the unit will not be used for awhile is good > advice. > > I use lithium AAs almost exclusively in my KX1. They have a flat discharge > curve, a big advantage over Alkalines since transmit power doesn't > gradually decrease. And so far, I've never seen one leak. > _______________________________________________ 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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Winter in Wisconsin often became quite brisk. -40 F (or C) was not
unusual. As long as the wind is not blowing it is not too bad in the sun. When we were ice fishing at night we would keep spare batteries for our tip ups in our t-shirt pockets next to our skin. About every 30 minutes or so we would exchange the batteries to warm the cold ones and allow the lights on our tip ups to work properly. I normally stayed warm by cutting new holes ;) From experience therefore I believe your suggestion to be a good one. GL, Kevin. KD5ONS On Thu, 27 Oct 2005 06:01:50 +0200, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) <[hidden email]> wrote: > One other consideration - in winter it's often -20C on the mountain tops > - so an external battery in my inside pocket may be an advantage. > > Simon Brown > --- > www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.361 / Virus Database: 267.12.5/149 - Release Date: 10/25/2005 _______________________________________________ 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
Sure. You can connect it to a resistor to keep your hand warm :)
Actually, I believe lithiums perform very well at low temperatures. Wayne On Oct 26, 2005, at 9:01 PM, Simon Brown ((HB9DRV)) wrote: > One other consideration - in winter it's often -20C on the mountain > tops - so an external battery in my inside pocket may be an advantage. --- 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 Kevin Rock
Exactly - while skiing I notice the battery on the mobile phone dropping
like crazy if it is in an outside pocket. I just bought an intelligent NiCD/NiMH charger which charges packs of 1 to 10 cells Ansmann ACS110P4M. Runs off 12v so can be used in the car, automatically detects the number of cells, it's idiot-proof. So I will just use my 12v 3AH NiMH packs with the KX-1 and also try them with the IC-703. I can always buy a small 10AH gel battery for the IC-703 if needed. The price of these rechargeable packs is dropping very fast - I honestly prefer an external battery pack giving me 4 watts. That way I remember to recharge when I get home and it's easy to switch over to the spare pack. Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Rock" <[hidden email]> Winter in Wisconsin often became quite brisk. -40 F (or C) was not unusual. As long as the wind is not blowing it is not too bad in the sun. When we were ice fishing at night we would keep spare batteries for our tip ups in our t-shirt pockets next to our skin. About every 30 minutes or so we would exchange the batteries to warm the cold ones and allow the lights on our tip ups to work properly. I normally stayed warm by cutting new holes ;) From experience therefore I believe your suggestion to be a good one. GL, Kevin. KD5ONS _______________________________________________ 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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Free, Switzerland only: 16 x CR 2/3 AA [3v] Lithium.
http://www.distrelec.com/ishop/ImagesProduct/distrelec/thumbnails/970424F.JPG These are new, bought for project which never took place. Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch _______________________________________________ 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
While I wasn't paying attention the same text just appeared:
Order Processed Successfully! Thank you for placing your order with Elecraft. Seems this time I purchased the K1-4, KNB1, K1BKLTKIT-X, T1-K and Buddipole. Simon "don't need the K2" Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "Simon Brown (HB9DRV)" <[hidden email]> >I received so much +ve feedback that I visited a 'certain' website, filled >in a few fields and the text below appeared: > > Order Processed Successfully! > Thank you for placing your order with Elecraft. > _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Not Again! (was KX1 Ideas)
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So the K1 / T1 / Buddipole will be shipped on Monday. Next week we are
getting a cold front, should be -15C up in the mountains. From a radio aspect will be very interesting to see how the Buddipole + K1 work out on 20m as I should have a good groundplane (1 metre of snow). Sure beats writing software :-) Simon "don't need the K2 this month" Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch ----- Original Message ----- From: "Simon Brown (HB9DRV)" <[hidden email]> > > Seems this time I purchased the K1-4, KNB1, K1BKLTKIT-X, T1-K and > Buddipole. > _______________________________________________ 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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On 30m and 40m all is well - noisy on RX and 3 watts output.
On 20m something's not 100% - not so much general noise and only 2 watts output. I have eliminated the ATU from the equation. I'll now read the fine book again but I think I've a small problem somewhere - any suggestions? Simon Brown --- www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch _______________________________________________ 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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Others will have more extensive suggestions, but one easy thing to check
is whether you have set it to LSB RX, which produces a marked quietness on 20M. As for TX, 3W and 2W sounds about right for 12v. Some folks get a little more, but not much. You will also get more at 13.8v, of course. The lower output on 20M is as designed (which you probably read in the manual about the output filter toroid adjustment). You search the list for KX1 R30 changes for discussion about some KX1s with low drive (e.g. http://www.ac6rm.net/mailarchive/html/elecraft-list/2003-11/msg00944.html) Leigh / WA5ZNU On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 7:57 am, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) wrote: > On 30m and 40m all is well - noisy on RX and 3 watts output. > > On 20m something's not 100% - not so much general noise and only 2 > watts output. > > I have eliminated the ATU from the equation. > > I'll now read the fine book again but I think I've a small problem > somewhere - any suggestions? _______________________________________________ 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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I couldn't find this anywhere that I looked.
Does anybody know off the top of your head the parts count of the KX1 and the various options? I'm considering adding this to my Christmas list. Michael N4NMR -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.0/167 - Release Date: 11/11/2005 _______________________________________________ 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 Simon (HB9DRV)
Simon,
I had a similar problem with mine and found faulty relays K1 and K2. These are very sensitive relays. I believe they were very slightly touched on the outside with my soldering iron. You can check the relays when switching bands. Replaced both of them and solved the problem. Desoldering and taking the relays out is a bit tricky. I used desoldering litze and lots of patience. Hope you get it solved soon. 73, Nick - PAØNCV KX1 - 681 K2 - 1510 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Simon Brown (HB9DRV)" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2005 4:56 PM Subject: [Elecraft] KX-1 20m Deaf ? > On 30m and 40m all is well - noisy on RX and 3 watts output. > > On 20m something's not 100% - not so much general noise and only 2 watts > output. > > I have eliminated the ATU from the equation. > > I'll now read the fine book again but I think I've a small problem > somewhere - any suggestions? > > Simon Brown > --- > www.hb9drv.ch www.laax.ch > _______________________________________________ > 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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