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Dave,
I do not understand how "a few Hz on 2M equates to a heck of a lot of kHz on 24GHz" A transverter is *not* a multiplier (it is a mixer). A frequency shift at the input should produce an equal frequency shift at the output, so any drift due to the 2 meter source should produce the same amount of drift at the 24 GHz output. i.e. 10 Hz drift in the KX3 output would produce 10 Hz drift in the transverter output no matter what the output frequency may be. Yes, there may be additional drift from the Local Oscillator in the transverter, but that is a different story (there are likely frequency multipliers in the LO chain). So unless what you are referring to is something different than a normal transverter, I do not understand your statement. Multiplying the signal rather than mixing it with a LO will destroy any modulation, so you would be slaved to CW. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/8/2014 4:29 PM, Dave wrote: > > and 2. As the IF for a 24GHz narrowband transverter. Now here things > do get critical. a few Hz on 2M equates to a heck of a lot of kHz on > 24GHz after transverting and taking the stability, or lack of it, of > the 24GHz gear as well. > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by wayne burdick
That sounds OK, at first glance Wayne,
But, what about the phase noise of the LO? You made a thing about limiting these on HF, but on VHF and UHF it is equally important, if not more so given that band and even sky noise will be a lot lower than on the HF bands. Is the 2M module really just an FM unit, or something that we who use narrowband modes, like CW and PSK31 would only just put up with and is really only going to be of any real use to FM (and/or AM) operators? Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> To: "Oliver Dröse" <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:56 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? Hi Oliver, Frequency corrections due to temperature compensation can occur as often as once per second, though they happen less often during steady-state receive or transmit. We're limited by synthesizer step size to corrections of about +/- 3 Hz at 2 m. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Gil G.
Hi Gil,
It is for WSJT EME digital modes (JT65b) that the short term frequency drift problems really matter for me. No problem for SSB/CW regular work I imagine, after the extended temperature calibration of the VFO in KX3. 73 ___________________________________________________________________________ David Anderson, GM4JJJ E-mail: [hidden email] ___________________________________________________________________________ MoonSked software: Tracking, Prediction, Scheduling and much more. Available for Windows, Linux or Macintosh. http://www.gm4jjj.co.uk/MoonSked/moonsked.htm Mac HP GPS Control: HP Z3801A Time & Frequency Standard software From: Gil G. [hidden email] Reply: [hidden email] [hidden email] Date: 8 April 2014 at 19:24:16 To: [hidden email] [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? Hello, Why would a little instability be a problem on CW or SSB? I mean, you could be off 200Hz in CW and that wouldn't be too much of a problem. I used to own a K1 and it was all over the place until it warmed up, never prevented me from making contact and rag-chewing.. Same for SSB.. You just need to turn the knob a little until the temperature stabilizes. It's a DDS VFO, still much better than a regular one. For some digital modes, I understand, but otherwise, who cares...? Gil. ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Phase noise is quite low on 2 meters, since the LO for 2 meters is derived directly from the HF-6 meter synthesizer. We'll post measurements on this soon.
The 2-meter module can be used on CW, SSB, and some data modes once the temperature compensation is applied. It is not just an FM/AM unit. 73, Wayne N6KR On Apr 8, 2014, at 2:36 PM, "Dave" <[hidden email]> wrote: > That sounds OK, at first glance Wayne, > > But, what about the phase noise of the LO? You made a thing about limiting these on HF, but on VHF and UHF it is equally important, if not more so given that band and even sky noise will be a lot lower than on the HF bands. > > Is the 2M module really just an FM unit, or something that we who use narrowband modes, like CW and PSK31 would only just put up with and is really only going to be of any real use to FM (and/or AM) operators? > > Dave > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> > To: "Oliver Dröse" <[hidden email]> > Cc: <[hidden email]> > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:56 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > > > Hi Oliver, > > Frequency corrections due to temperature compensation can occur as often as once per second, though they happen less often during steady-state receive or transmit. We're limited by synthesizer step size to corrections of about +/- 3 Hz at 2 m. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Any idea of price yet? Sorry if this is either premature or has already
been posted. 73 Stephen G4SJP On 8 April 2014 22:43, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote: > Phase noise is quite low on 2 meters, since the LO for 2 meters is derived > directly from the HF-6 meter synthesizer. We'll post measurements on this > soon. > > The 2-meter module can be used on CW, SSB, and some data modes once the > temperature compensation is applied. It is not just an FM/AM unit. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > On Apr 8, 2014, at 2:36 PM, "Dave" <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > That sounds OK, at first glance Wayne, > > > > But, what about the phase noise of the LO? You made a thing about > limiting these on HF, but on VHF and UHF it is equally important, if not > more so given that band and even sky noise will be a lot lower than on the > HF bands. > > > > Is the 2M module really just an FM unit, or something that we who use > narrowband modes, like CW and PSK31 would only just put up with and is > really only going to be of any real use to FM (and/or AM) operators? > > > > Dave > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> > > To: "Oliver Dröse" <[hidden email]> > > Cc: <[hidden email]> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 8:56 PM > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > > > > > > Hi Oliver, > > > > Frequency corrections due to temperature compensation can occur as often > as once per second, though they happen less often during steady-state > receive or transmit. We're limited by synthesizer step size to corrections > of about +/- 3 Hz at 2 m. > > > > 73, > > Wayne > > N6KR > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Hi Dave,
I'm not sure if I'm understanding your statement correctly. I think the big variable is the local oscillator chain in the transverter not the KX3. The drift of a few at 144mc is added to the LO freq not multiplied in any way. Depending on the direction of the drifts it could be subtractive and improve the stability too. 73, Bob K2TK ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR On 4/8/2014 4:29 PM, Dave wrote: > Yes, and No, to be unhelpfully exact... > > My TS2000X is "off" by about 1.7kHz compared to other peoples 'dial' settings > on 1296MHz. I know this and I compensate, but the higher up the chain you go, > the worse the problem gets... > > Since I have another radio to "do" 2M on (TS2000X) I'm only looking to use the > KX3-2M for two things. 1. The occasional use in the field, or from a hotel > room (though not so much that to be honest) where I agree, I can probably > compensate manually, as long as it doesn't drift too far, too fast but the > other reason may be a game killer, as far as I'm concerned. > > and 2. As the IF for a 24GHz narrowband transverter. Now here things do get > critical. a few Hz on 2M equates to a heck of a lot of kHz on 24GHz after > transverting and taking the stability, or lack of it, of the 24GHz gear as well. > > So, no, some of us do care and unless the KX3-2M can at least match something > like the 2M stability of the FT817 (which isn't all that great anyway) then > this wont be something that many serious users of 2M gear will accept as being > "OK". > > Back in the 1980s there were radios on 2M which were well known for their > drift and lack of a good output on 2M, even on SSB, and I'd hate to put out a > poor signal on 2M CW from an Elecraft bit of kit. That really could damage > the company name with potential future customers and provide amunition to > their competitors, in my opinion. > > Dave (G0DJA) > > ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 6:23 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > > >> Hello, >> >> Why would a little instability be a problem on CW or SSB? >> I mean, you could be off 200Hz in CW and that wouldn't be too much of a >> problem. I used to own a K1 and it was all over the place until it >> warmed up, never prevented me from making contact and rag-chewing.. >> Same for SSB.. You just need to turn the knob a little until the >> temperature stabilizes. It's a DDS VFO, still much better than a regular >> one. For some digital modes, I understand, but otherwise, who cares...? >> >> Gil. > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by David Anderson-2
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:39 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > Hi Gil, > > It is for WSJT EME digital modes (JT65b) that the short term frequency > drift problems really matter for me. No problem for SSB/CW regular work I > imagine, after the extended temperature calibration of the VFO in KX3. Please don't do us "ordinary" CW users down. I use 2M CW for Sporadic-E, Aurora, and even some tropo work where you do need to be able to keep on frequency over at least a few moments... The more I see, the more I realise that the promised 2M unit is going to be a very poor option for people who use VHF and UHF seriously. I have re awakened my use of HF, but I did buy the Elecraft KX3 with the promise of a decent 2M option. Where do I apply to return my KX3 for a full refund ? Dave (G0DJA) ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Bob-2
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob" <[hidden email]> To: "Dave" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:55 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > Hi Dave, > > I'm not sure if I'm understanding your statement correctly. > I think the big variable is the local oscillator chain in the transverter > not the KX3. The drift of a few at 144mc is added to the LO freq not > multiplied in any way. Depending on the direction of the drifts it could > be subtractive and improve the stability too. It is multiplied if you use a transverter to go up to other bands. Which is what I intended to do in the 1st place. But. lets go with your "drift of a few at 144mc is added to the LO freq not multiplied in any way" and the addition of "Depending upon the direction of the drifts it could be subtractive and improve the stability too". From which I guess that you like to have to follow signals from stations up and down the bands in order to keep track of what they are trying to take you? Great, I'll resurect my old crystal transmitters, where temperature decided where they drifted off to. I'm sure that they will be very popular on the modern HF bands these days without proper feedback loops that would keep them within suitable frequency limits... If not, why would you think that this was acceptable on VHF or UHF bands? Dave ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Dave,
The drift at a *transceiver* input is *not* multiplied by a transverter. A transverter is a linear device. Any change in the input frequency results in an equal change in the output frequency. In other words, if you move your 144 MHz frequency (with the VFO) by 12 kHz, how much does the 24GHz frequency change? If you are using a transverter, it should also change by 12 kHz. The same goes with drift at the 144 MHz input. If the 144 MHz signal changes by 10 Hz, the change in the transverter output should also be 10 Hz. I would expect the greatest contribution to drift at 24 MHz would come from drift in the transverter Local Oscillator, not from drift in the driving transceiver. Yes, if you have an intermediate transverter between (say 144 to 1.2 GHz) between your KX3 and the final transverter to 24 GHz, that transverter's LO drift will be added, but that is due to the LO drift in that intermediate transverter, not from drift in the KX3. The drift is *not* multiplied if you are using proper transverters. If you are using multipliers instead of transverters, I concede, but than only CW mode is possible because any modulation on the signal (voice modes) would be so corrupted that reception that demodulation would be unpredictable and result in garbage unless one knew the exact multiplication scheme of the transmitting station. I don't think anyone does that anymore. Now, if your SHF "transverter" is such that a 12 kHz change in VFO frequency at the input results in a much greater change in the output frequency, you have something quite different than a transverter. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/8/2014 6:18 PM, Dave wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob" <[hidden email]> > To: "Dave" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]> > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:55 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > > >> Hi Dave, >> >> I'm not sure if I'm understanding your statement >> correctly. I think the big variable is the local oscillator chain in >> the transverter not the KX3. The drift of a few at 144mc is added to >> the LO freq not multiplied in any way. Depending on the direction of >> the drifts it could be subtractive and improve the stability too. > > It is multiplied if you use a transverter to go up to other bands. > > Which is what I intended to do in the 1st place. > > But. lets go with your "drift of a few at 144mc is added to the LO > freq not multiplied in any way" and the addition of "Depending upon > the direction of the drifts it could be subtractive and improve the > stability too". From which I guess that you like to have to follow > signals from stations up and down the bands in order to keep track of > what they are trying to take you? > > Great, I'll resurect my old crystal transmitters, where temperature > decided where they drifted off to. I'm sure that they will be very > popular on the modern HF bands these days without proper feedback > loops that would keep them within suitable frequency limits... > > If not, why would you think that this was acceptable on VHF or UHF bands? > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Hi Dave, for me the most important reason to buy the KX3 was the 2 m option, too. If Wayne says the frequency will be stable +/- 3 Hz I think nobody will hear that in CW/SSB, you will not even recognize, be it in a contest or while working D4 on double hop ES on 2 m. ;-) Likewise with "normal" transverter use on 10 GHz which we plan to do, too (if the LO is stable enough ... you know there are 2 factors influencing things: freq stability of the KX3 itself which the temp correction takes care of *and* LO stability in the KX3-2M transverter itself). JT65 could be a different matter if the frequency will be corrected every second or such. Even then it might be good enough. +/- 3 Hz is well within the tolerance of JT65. What might be a problem is that JT65's tolerance is for drifting signals, not "jumping" signals. So we will have to see how that works. For comparison the frequency stabilization of the K3+K144XV with the K144RFLK is using a comparable method and I do not have problems on JT65b. But "comparable" is not "similar", of course, i.e. no temp curve correction from memory but a real reference lock. Nevertheless the final effect seems to be the same for me. Maybe Wayne can shine in on that point again. 73, Olli - DH8BQA Contest, DX & radio projects: http://www.dh8bqa.de Am 08.04.2014 23:58, schrieb Dave: > ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 9:39 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? > > >> Hi Gil, >> >> It is for WSJT EME digital modes (JT65b) that the short term >> frequency drift problems really matter for me. No problem for SSB/CW >> regular work I imagine, after the extended temperature calibration of >> the VFO in KX3. > > Please don't do us "ordinary" CW users down. I use 2M CW for > Sporadic-E, Aurora, and even some tropo work where you do need to be > able to keep on frequency over at least a few moments... > > The more I see, the more I realise that the promised 2M unit is going > to be a very poor option for people who use VHF and UHF seriously. > > I have re awakened my use of HF, but I did buy the Elecraft KX3 with > the promise of a decent 2M option. > > Where do I apply to return my KX3 for a full refund ? > > Dave (G0DJA) > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Wayne promised numbers.
Maybe some of you can dial-back the rhetoric until we get some solid numbers from Elecraft. Thanks -- Lynn On 4/8/2014 2:58 PM, Dave wrote: > I have re awakened my use of HF, but I did buy the Elecraft KX3 with > the promise of a decent 2M option. > > Where do I apply to return my KX3 for a full refund ? ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
The last time I felt this way I had bought and built an SDR tranceiver from
another manufacturer. I had hoped never to feel the same way again. But, now I've received an email from the Elecraft Company, I now feel the same way again. Here is my advice... **DO NOT BUY THE KX3 and the KX3-2M IF YOU WANT A SYSTEM THAT WORKS ON CW OR NARROWBANDS** I wanted that originally. I had a TS2000X at home, so why would I want a KX3? I used it away from home, but, to be honest, it isn't all that better than the FT817 anyway... Dave (G0DJA) ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Oliver Dröse
The K144XV's REF LOCK option uses phase-locking (via a PLL IC) to the 49.380-MHz reference (TXCO). This is extremely stable.
The KX3-2M module, when used with the KX3's extended temperature compensation, uses frequency locking (via firmware and a temp-sense IC). So it will "jump" in small increments, typically +/- 3 Hz. This may not be compatible with JT65, though I haven't tried it myself. Wayne N6KR On Apr 8, 2014, at 3:41 PM, Oliver Dröse <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Hi Dave, > > for me the most important reason to buy the KX3 was the 2 m option, too. If Wayne says the frequency will be stable +/- 3 Hz I think nobody will hear that in CW/SSB, you will not even recognize, be it in a contest or while working D4 on double hop ES on 2 m. ;-) Likewise with "normal" transverter use on 10 GHz which we plan to do, too (if the LO is stable enough ... you know there are 2 factors influencing things: freq stability of the KX3 itself which the temp correction takes care of *and* LO stability in the KX3-2M transverter itself). > > JT65 could be a different matter if the frequency will be corrected every second or such. Even then it might be good enough. +/- 3 Hz is well within the tolerance of JT65. What might be a problem is that JT65's tolerance is for drifting signals, not "jumping" signals. So we will have to see how that works. For comparison the frequency stabilization of the K3+K144XV with the K144RFLK is using a comparable method and I do not have problems on JT65b. But "comparable" is not "similar", of course, i.e. no temp curve correction from memory but a real reference lock. Nevertheless the final effect seems to be the same for me. Maybe Wayne can shine in on that point again. > > 73, Olli - DH8BQA ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
The KX3-2M module will, as I have stated on many occasions, work very well in CW mode.
73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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OK.
On 2M, as long as you dont need very good stability? Which wasn't explained a year or so ago... I think I'll pass on the KX3-2M unit then. My bad, I bought another SDR receiver unit to go with the Perseus, SDR-IQ, Elektor and USB Stick receiver. This one will transmit as well, but I could have done that with a parrallel diode and transformer system instead. I thought that Elecraft was going to be better than Flex but I'm not so sure now... Dave (G0DJA) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Burdick" <[hidden email]> To: "Dave" <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 11:25 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? The KX3-2M module will, as I have stated on many occasions, work very well in CW mode. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Well everyone to their own opinion, but if I were to ever win the
lottery, a KX3 would be right at the top of my list to buy . I have not seen anything in the technical specs that would deter me in the least from using it in narrow band modes , driving my HOME BUILT, BUT, VERY HIGH STABILITY & VERY HIGHLY FREQUENCY ACCURATE transverters !! Either I am missing something in the non Elecraft "accessories" or someone does not understand how they do in fact operate. My offer to pay shipping on anyone with a KX3 that is just such a terrible rig that they want to kick it to the curb , will be a standing offer . <grin> I am not going to wait at the post office however !! Charlie, W5COV On 4/8/2014 6:08 PM, Dave wrote: > The last time I felt this way I had bought and built an SDR tranceiver > from another manufacturer. > > I had hoped never to feel the same way again. > > But, now I've received an email from the Elecraft Company, I now feel > the same way again. > > Here is my advice... > > **DO NOT BUY THE KX3 and the KX3-2M IF YOU WANT A SYSTEM THAT WORKS ON > CW OR NARROWBANDS** > > I wanted that originally. I had a TS2000X at home, so why would I want > a KX3? I used it away from home, but, to be honest, it isn't all that > better than the FT817 anyway... > > Dave (G0DJA) > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Actually, with extended temp compensation applied, the KX3-2M module's long-term frequency stability is typically better than +/- 0.1 ppm (+/- 10 Hz). But it's the short-term excursions within this range that would probably not work with JT65. Again, I haven't tried it. These excursions are due to the FLL (frequency-locked-loop) algorithm, which obtains data from an EEPROM table having increments of about 0.1 degree C (after calibration is complete).
73, Wayne N6KR On Apr 8, 2014, at 5:02 PM, Walter Underwood <[hidden email]> wrote: > The specs for frequency stability are not good enough for the JT65 modes (+/- 1 ppm typical over 0-50 C). On 2m, that would be +/- 144Hz. The extended temperature compensation improves that, but it will never be as stable as a K3 with an external reference. > > Did you expect it to perform much, much better than the specs? > > The FT-817 specs are: ± 4 ppm from 1 min. to 60 min. after power on. 25° C: 1 ppm/hour > > wunder > K6WRU ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
Am I reading something wrong? You say that you would need +/- 144 Hz,
and Wayne is saying that you can get +/- 10 Hz with the extended temperature compensation. That seems that it would be good enough. I'm also seeing all this complaining about stability, and the only counter example appears to be +/- 1700 Hz at 1296Mhz for a TS2000, which doesn't strike me as all that good either. Is the real issue that there is no support for an external reference? John AC0ZG On 4/8/2014 6:02 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: > The specs for frequency stability are not good enough for the JT65 modes (+/- 1 ppm typical over 0-50 C). On 2m, that would be +/- 144Hz. The extended temperature compensation improves that, but it will never be as stable as a K3 with an external reference. > > Did you expect it to perform much, much better than the specs? > > The FT-817 specs are: ± 4 ppm from 1 min. to 60 min. after power on. 25° C: 1 ppm/hour > > wunder > K6WRU > > On Apr 8, 2014, at 2:58 PM, "Dave" <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> The more I see, the more I realise that the promised 2M unit is going to be a very poor option for people who use VHF and UHF seriously. >> >> I have re awakened my use of HF, but I did buy the Elecraft KX3 with the promise of a decent 2M option. >> >> Where do I apply to return my KX3 for a full refund ? >> >> Dave (G0DJA) > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
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In reply to this post by W7GJ, Lance
Frequency drift +/- 10-Hz at 144-MHz may be fine for running
digital-mode eme. I typically think of keeping drift <20-Hz as a requirement. It will depend on how rapid the frequency changes and how big the steps. JT65 is fairly adaptable to some drift. When I am in the "heat" of an eme contest with 5-7 stations calling me simultaneously on or near the same frequency (within 100-Hz) I select 20-Hz DSP bw to exclude another station capturing the decoder. I have worked stations that have drifted 30 to 50-Hz through the course of a contact by merely reseting the center frequency to follow the change at discreet times. If drift is faster than 50-seconds then it becomes a problem since one does not want a frequency change during a given sequence period (Nom. 1-minute). I have discussed a few "fixes" off list with David Anderson if it turns out one is needed. **This is only important to the eme'r or mw operator so will not affect the majority of users.** On mw the frequency stability of the IF radio (KX3) is added to the stability of the transverter since they mix signals. Many use PLL's for the mw transverter; for example on 10-GHz the frequency is held to 9x the synth frequency and resulting error is probably not more than 9-Hz and more likely half that. +/- 19-Hz frequency uncertainty on mw is actually very good. Might be a problem for mw eme'rs so the KX3 might not be the radio to use. EME Dxpeditions commonly do not operate above 2.3 GHz (LOx2) so the requirements are not as tough. Far more common is 50, 144, 432, and 1296 MHz eme dxpeditions (which makes KX3 very handy due to size...same issues as with portable IOTA, SOTA type operations). So we will find out when I have one to test! 73, Ed - KL7UW -------------------------------------------- From: Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module? Message-ID: <[hidden email]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii When the extended temperature compensation is performed, short-term stability on 2 meters is about +/- 10 Hz, more than adequate for FM/AM/CW/SSB and some data modes. 73, Wayne N6KR 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: [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] |
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In reply to this post by Dave-5
When driving a transverter presumably you will be running at 0dbm rather than at 5W. I wonder if the KX3 still experience thermal drift due to PA heating at very low power?
Stewart/G3YSX Sent from my iPad ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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