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Neat K3 Video!

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Don Rasmussen

Neat K3 Video!

Jerry pointed out:
"The biggest events I have seen are pretty important:
The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC
polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely
used amps from Yaesu and ICOM" <snip>

I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
function you mention is working as engineered.

It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.

I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver
offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far
longer than anyone would expect.

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dave.wilburn

Re: Neat K3 Video!

Besides, real mean don't need no stinkin amps! ;^)
-

David Wilburn
[hidden email]
K4DGW
K2 S/N 5982

On Sun, 2007-12-02 at 14:03 -0800, Don Rasmussen wrote:

> Jerry pointed out:
> "The biggest events I have seen are pretty important:
> The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC
> polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely
> used amps from Yaesu and ICOM" <snip>
>
> I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> function you mention is working as engineered.
>
> It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
>
> I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver
> offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far
> longer than anyone would expect.
>
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Joe Subich, W4TV

RE: Neat K3 Video!

In reply to this post by Don Rasmussen

> I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> function you mention is working as engineered.
>
> It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.

No, this is a case of "not invented here" - a complete
failure to understand what is already in the market and
in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt the
new radio.

To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation of
RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing
relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting one
control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx
would allow completely independent selection of receive
or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again,
like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit loop,
it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix
but it should not be necessary in a radio of this class.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
> Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM
> To: Elecraft List
> Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
>
>
> Jerry pointed out:
> "The biggest events I have seen are pretty important:
> The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC
> polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely
> used amps from Yaesu and ICOM" <snip>
>
> I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> function you mention is working as engineered.
>
> It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
>
> I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver
> offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far
> longer than anyone would expect.
>

Don Rasmussen

Neat K3 Video!

Joe - my original post pointed out the great success
of the K3 initial production release, they did a
terrific job of rolling radios out there without
unforseen problems out of the box.

Most wouldn't consider the fact that the radio was
released without an interface that you consider to be
important to be in the category of unforseen problems
on initial delivery.

Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I
may need to build a switching cable. ;-)

--- "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> > I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> > Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> > function you mention is working as engineered.
> >
> > It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> > shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
>
> No, this is a case of "not invented here" - a
> complete
> failure to understand what is already in the market
> and
> in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt
> the
> new radio.
>
> To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation
> of
> RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing
>
> relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting
> one
> control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx
>
> would allow completely independent selection of
> receive
> or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again,
>
> like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit
> loop,
> it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix
>
> but it should not be necessary in a radio of this
> class.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]] On
> Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
> > Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM
> > To: Elecraft List
> > Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
> >
> >
> > Jerry pointed out:
> > "The biggest events I have seen are pretty
> important:
> > The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC
> > polarity setup is not presently compatible with
> widely
> > used amps from Yaesu and ICOM" <snip>
> >
> > I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> > Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> > function you mention is working as engineered.
> >
> > It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> > shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
> >
> > I've seen all this and more with other new
> transceiver
> > offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far
> > longer than anyone would expect.
> >
>
>

Jerry Flanders

Re: Neat K3 Video!

In reply to this post by Don Rasmussen

At 05:03 PM 12/2/2007, Don Rasmussen wrote:

No, Don. This is an issue that only affects the external amp. If a
PW-1 or Quadra gets in trouble due to, for instance, a flaky antenna
connection, it will attempt to shut down drive to itself by cranking
up the ALC voltage it sends back to the exciter. That tells the
exciter to reduce the drive level.

The exciter and the amplifier need to be able to communicate in a
"standard" protocol. Exciters that do not follow this protocol,
making it difficult for the user to interface it, may put the amps at
risk. The ICOM PW-1 and Yaesu Quadra operating manuals _require_ ALC usage.

I agree the K3 is probably working as engineered, but the engineering
does not conform to the requirements of widely-used amps.

I worry about these things because I once blew up the output circuit
of an AL-1200 because of a flaky antenna coax line. If that should
happen again with my present Yaesu Quadra amp I want the ALC line to
be working properly to give the Quadra a chance to survive the event.

Jerry W4UK

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Joe Subich, W4TV

RE: Neat K3 Video!

In reply to this post by Don Rasmussen

Don,

> Joe - my original post pointed out the great success
> of the K3 initial production release, they did a
> terrific job of rolling radios out there without
> unforseen problems out of the box.

I'm not saying the Elecraft group did not do a good job in rolling
out the K3. Like Jerry, Dick and others I am saying they ignored
non-Elecraft hardware and the needs of operators who have not been
indoctrinated in "the Elecraft way." A top of the line transceiver
is a far different product than an overgrown QRP/backpack radio and
had far different requirements for interfacing with other hardware.
It's well and good to provide CW inhibit and receive antenna loop
that interfaces with Elecraft's own VHF/UHF transverters but some
thought needs to be given to de facto standards like amplifiers from
Alpha/TenTec/Icom/Yaesu amplifiers with negative ALC and RF Enable
(inverted CW inhibit) and the operating patterns of lowband users
with low noise receive antennas.

> Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I
> may need to build a switching cable. ;-)

As I said before, none of these problems are fatal - it will be
relatively easy to add an external relay and XOR gate to resolve
the antenna switching issue, add an inverting op-amp (and +/- 12 V
supply) to handle the negative ALC, and add a transistor circuit
to invert "RF Enable" for "CW inhibit"). However, all three
changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for pennies in
parts instead of requiring user modifications or "add on" boxes
with just a little "market research" beyond the tight-knit group
of insiders who do not push the operating envelope.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
> Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 6:56 PM
> To: Elecraft List
> Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
>
>
> Joe - my original post pointed out the great success
> of the K3 initial production release, they did a
> terrific job of rolling radios out there without
> unforseen problems out of the box.
>
> Most wouldn't consider the fact that the radio was
> released without an interface that you consider to be
> important to be in the category of unforseen problems
> on initial delivery.
>
> Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I
> may need to build a switching cable. ;-)
>
> --- "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> >
> > > I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> > > Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> > > function you mention is working as engineered.
> > >
> > > It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> > > shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
> >
> > No, this is a case of "not invented here" - a
> > complete
> > failure to understand what is already in the market
> > and
> > in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt
> > the
> > new radio.
> >
> > To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation
> > of
> > RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing
> >
> > relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting
> > one
> > control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx
> >
> > would allow completely independent selection of
> > receive
> > or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again,
> >
> > like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit
> > loop,
> > it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix
> >
> > but it should not be necessary in a radio of this
> > class.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > ... Joe, W4TV
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [hidden email]
> > > [mailto:[hidden email]] On
> > Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
> > > Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM
> > > To: Elecraft List
> > > Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
> > >
> > >
> > > Jerry pointed out:
> > > "The biggest events I have seen are pretty
> > important:
> > > The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC
> > > polarity setup is not presently compatible with
> > widely
> > > used amps from Yaesu and ICOM" <snip>
> > >
> > > I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion
> > > Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the
> > > function you mention is working as engineered.
> > >
> > > It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI
> > > shielding problems, or "hangs" periodically.
> > >
> > > I've seen all this and more with other new
> > transceiver
> > > offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far
> > > longer than anyone would expect.
> > >

KK7P

Re: Neat K3 Video!

Hello Joe!

Please be assured that we appreciate your thoughtful and constructive
comments on the K3.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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Don Rasmussen

RE: Neat K3 Video!

In reply to this post by Don Rasmussen

"However, all three changes could have been
incorporated in the K3 for pennies in parts instead of
requiring user modifications or add on boxes with just
a little market research beyond the tight-knit group
of insiders who do not push the operating envelope."
<snip>

That seems to be the knock whenever one of the
FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not
find the same implementation on the K3.

Where's the band scope, the band stacking registers,
the physical SIZE ??? ;-)

I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan
Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an
FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of
innovation that's in the K3.

I'd suggest that Elecraft probably spent as much time
engineering the K3 for their original fan base at
milliwatt levels as they did to provide QRO
provisions.

I promise you some fanatic is going to take the K3
camping in their backpack. Tree huggers - sigh. ;-)

The beauty of the reflector, and the two guys, is that
you can ask and be 100% assured that you are being
heard.

73, Don.

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Joe Subich, W4TV

RE: Neat K3 Video!

Don,

> That seems to be the knock whenever one of the
> FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not
> find the same implementation on the K3.
>
> I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan
> Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an
> FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of
> innovation that's in the K3.

I'm not expecting - and haven't said - that the K3 will go toe
to toe with every specific feature in a FT-1000MP or a 756ProIII.
I have a K3/100 with second receiver on order in the second batch
- and I'm waiting like everyone else. I also plan to order a
second one if the first comes even close to my expectations.

However, there are certain de facto standards in the marketplace.
Every (modern) transceiver provides a CW input that has a positive
pull-up with closure to ground; every (modern) transceiver provides
a relay contact closure to ground or open collector (drain) output
capable of approximately 48 volts at 100 mA for keying external
amplifiers. Practically since the introduction of ALC (Collins?)
in transmitter systems and external amplifiers, ALC was negative
and modern solid state transceivers have maintained compatibility
with that "standard" even though it would have been easier if the
(external) ALC was positive. RF enable in QSK capable amplifiers
has been a contact closure to ground since it first appeared in
Alpha amps more than 20 years ago.

None of these are new or specific to a single transceiver ...
however, if a transceiver supports a function (inhibit, ALC,
etc.) the user has a right to expect it will be supported in
a way that is compatible with other equipment already on the
market. Can you imagine the screams if amplifier PTT control
were implemented as at positive going voltage instead of a
contact closure to ground or if an external CW keyer had to
provide a positive going signal (external voltage) to generate
RF instead of closures to ground?

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
> Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 8:52 PM
> To: Elecraft List
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
>
>
> "However, all three changes could have been
> incorporated in the K3 for pennies in parts instead of
> requiring user modifications or add on boxes with just
> a little market research beyond the tight-knit group
> of insiders who do not push the operating envelope."
> <snip>
>
> That seems to be the knock whenever one of the
> FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not
> find the same implementation on the K3.
>
> Where's the band scope, the band stacking registers,
> the physical SIZE ??? ;-)
>
> I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan
> Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an
> FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of
> innovation that's in the K3.
>
> I'd suggest that Elecraft probably spent as much time
> engineering the K3 for their original fan base at
> milliwatt levels as they did to provide QRO
> provisions.
>
> I promise you some fanatic is going to take the K3
> camping in their backpack. Tree huggers - sigh. ;-)
>
> The beauty of the reflector, and the two guys, is that
> you can ask and be 100% assured that you are being
> heard.
>
> 73, Don.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>

Augie "Gus" Hansen

Re: Neat K3 Video!

Hi Joe,
> ...
> Practically since the introduction of ALC (Collins?)
> in transmitter systems and external amplifiers, ALC was negative
> and modern solid state transceivers have maintained compatibility
> with that "standard" even though it would have been easier if the
> (external) ALC was positive.
>

For the record, SGC went the "solid state" way in their amplifier design
of the SG-500 SmartPowerCube. It uses positive ALC, which is of course
not usable by most transceivers without translation. So I run mine
without an ALC connection. The SG-500 protects itself from overdrive by
attenuating the input if it exceeds 60 watts.

My only problems with the SG-500 are that it doesn't do QSK and its
keying relay is a bit noisy.

Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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gm3sek

Re: Neat K3 Video!

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV

Joe Subich, W4TV, wrote:
> However, all three changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for
>pennies in parts instead of requiring user modifications or "add on"
>boxes with just a little "market research" beyond the tight-knit group
>of insiders who do not push the operating envelope.

While I agree with Joe's technical analysis, the problem wasn't really
about a group of field testers who "do not push the operating envelope".
On the contrary, many of them do, in various areas. The problem was
simply that, on the issue of compatibility with existing technical
standards in the market, nobody picked up the ball.

This is another symptom of the paradigm shift that the company is having
to go through, from its origins serving the QRP community to becoming a
supplier in a much wider market. Many of these new customers will be
integrating the K3 into existing stations, and will not be pleased by
the incompatibilities of the ACC interface.

1. Reverse polarity on the ALC input. The industry standard is a
negative-going voltage because that made perfect sense in the era of
tube rigs when it was first introduced. Most solid-state transceivers
convert the ALC input to a positive-going signal for internal use, but
they don't attempt to buck the negative-going interface standard.

In the K3, the ALC input appears to connect through to the input of an
ADC, whose data sheet specifies an absolute maximum of 0.3V in the
negative direction. If someone connects a normal negative-going ALC
signal to this input, there is a risk of internal damage.

2. Reverse logic for the TX inhibit input. The standard here was set by
Yaesu (TTL or open-collector input to the transceiver, logic 1 to
inhibit TX, logic 0 to enable). Originally this facility was provided as
an the interface to Yaesu's own-brand amplifiers; but third-party
providers have adopted it too, which is how such standards come to
exist.

In the K3, this incompatibility could be easily fixed by a config
option.

3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding was
originated by Yaesu, and has since been adopted and extended by a range
of third-party providers. The standard band data output is TTL, logic 1
= 5V, logic 0 = 0V.

The K3 uses industry-standard band encoding, but the output interface is
not standard. Use of open-drain pulldowns in the K3 means that existing
non-Elecraft band data interfaces will not work without some
modifications and a user-provided positive supply rail.

Whether or not any of those interface facilities is "really needed" is a
side issue. Those interfaces exist in the K3, so the relevant discussion
is about compatibility with users' existing stations.

At the technical level, these are all fairly trivial problems. My
holiday project was already going to be a breakout box for the 15-way
cable from the ACC connector, where the interfaces with several
different parts of the station can be patched in. The inverters and
level shifters that will be needed to give the K3 an industry-standard
interface to the outside world can go in there. It's just a little more
work than anyone would really have wanted.

--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
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Chris G3SJJ

K3: Band Data (renamed)

Oh dear, you have made me a little worried now Ian.

I use two Topten Band Decoders, with new source driver boards. Each one
has a cable wired for Yeasu, ie terminated in a Din plug which goes into
the Band Data out socket on the FT1kMP. One also has a twin screened
lead which picks up Amp Keying and Inhibit for my Acom 1000 amp. I am
not too worried about the Inhibit, as per recent discussions, I wired it
in since it was available and I use short time constant on switching.

I was just going to rewire one cable into the 15 way D connector to pick
up band data. I need 20mA switching capablity for the Acom so was
proposing to use normal phono to phono plus take 12v off the rear K3
connector. A bit messy compared with just a single Din connector on the
MP but now it seems I will need some other kind of interface as well.

Chris G3SJJ

Ian White GM3SEK wrote:

> 3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding
> was originated by Yaesu, and has since been adopted and extended by a
> range of third-party providers. The standard band data output is TTL,
> logic 1 = 5V, logic 0 = 0V.
>
> The K3 uses industry-standard band encoding, but the output interface
> is not standard. Use of open-drain pulldowns in the K3 means that
> existing non-Elecraft band data interfaces will not work without some
> modifications and a user-provided positive supply rail.
>
>
> Whether or not any of those interface facilities is "really needed" is
> a side issue. Those interfaces exist in the K3, so the relevant
> discussion is about compatibility with users' existing stations.
>
>
> At the technical level, these are all fairly trivial problems. My
> holiday project was already going to be a breakout box for the 15-way
> cable from the ACC connector, where the interfaces with several
> different parts of the station can be patched in. The inverters and
> level shifters that will be needed to give the K3 an industry-standard
> interface to the outside world can go in there. It's just a little
> more work than anyone would really have wanted.
>
>
>
>
>

Jerry Flanders

Re: Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions

In reply to this post by gm3sek

At 10:32 AM 12/3/2007, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
<SNIP>The problem was simply that, on the issue of compatibility with
existing technical standards in the market, nobody picked up the ball.

><SNIP>
>
>3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding
>was originated by Yaesu, and has since been adopted and extended by
>a range of third-party providers. The standard band data output is
>TTL, logic 1 = 5V, logic 0 = 0V.
>
>The K3 uses industry-standard band encoding, but the output
>interface is not standard. Use of open-drain pulldowns in the K3
>means that existing non-Elecraft band data interfaces will not work
>without some modifications and a user-provided positive supply rail.

Thanks for mentioning this, Ian. I hadn't picked up on this before.
One of the major reasons I ordered a K3 was because I assumed the
automatic band selection feature on my Quadra would work directly
with the K3 after I wired up a new cable.

I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
generates band-data signals for the amp (
http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ).
This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is on and
that the program is running.

Are there any existing devices that would work with the K3 band-data
interface as-is? Anybody know of such?

Ian, if this is fixable within the K3, will it require a hardware
change or can it simply be inverted in software?

Jerry W4UK

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Joe Subich, W4TV

RE: Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions

Jerry,

> I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
> generates band-data signals for the amp (
> http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
> http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ).
> This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is on and
> that the program is running.

It's a non-issue. Both the Quadra and FL-7000 have internal pull-ups.

Further, the TopTen and microHAM Band Decoders include pull ups
on their BCD inputs. The only device that I know of that lacks
the pull-ups is the Unified Microsystems (W9XT) BCD-10 decoder.

> Ian, if this is fixable within the K3, will it require a hardware
> change or can it simply be inverted in software?

It's fixable (if necessary) in the K3 by adding pull-ups on the
KIO3 board.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Jerry Flanders
> Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 12:57 PM
> To: Ian White; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions
>
>
>
> At 10:32 AM 12/3/2007, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
> <SNIP>The problem was simply that, on the issue of compatibility with
> existing technical standards in the market, nobody picked up the ball.
>
> ><SNIP>
> >
> >3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding
> >was originated by Yaesu, and has since been adopted and extended by
> >a range of third-party providers. The standard band data output is
> >TTL, logic 1 = 5V, logic 0 = 0V.
> >
> >The K3 uses industry-standard band encoding, but the output
> >interface is not standard. Use of open-drain pulldowns in the K3
> >means that existing non-Elecraft band data interfaces will not work
> >without some modifications and a user-provided positive supply rail.
>
> Thanks for mentioning this, Ian. I hadn't picked up on this before.
> One of the major reasons I ordered a K3 was because I assumed the
> automatic band selection feature on my Quadra would work directly
> with the K3 after I wired up a new cable.
>
> I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
> generates band-data signals for the amp (
> http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
> http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ).
> This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is on and
> that the program is running.
>
> Are there any existing devices that would work with the K3 band-data
> interface as-is? Anybody know of such?
>
> Ian, if this is fixable within the K3, will it require a hardware
> change or can it simply be inverted in software?
>
> Jerry W4UK
>

Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604

Re: Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions

From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[hidden email]>
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:58:57 -0500

Jerry,

> I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
> generates band-data signals for the amp (
> http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
> http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ).
> This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is on and
> that the program is running.

It's a non-issue. Both the Quadra and FL-7000 have internal pull-ups.

Further, the TopTen and microHAM Band Decoders include pull ups
on their BCD inputs. The only device that I know of that lacks
the pull-ups is the Unified Microsystems (W9XT) BCD-10 decoder.

That's useful information. If the K3 band select lines can tolerate
12V pullups, then it'd be trivial to add the 4 resistors to the
W9XT board....(time passes on the internet)-

It looks as if the band select lines are driven directly from a
TPIC6C595, and the outputs of that can drive as high as 33V to
ground. Some of you should check my work, but I think the problem
is trivial. 4 10k resistors on the W9XT board, and Bob's yer uncle.
And I have one the W9XT boards in my hand, and it'd be pretty easy to
add a 5V regulator, if you wanted to, also.

TPIC6C595 data sheet- http://www.ortodoxism.ro/datasheets/texasinstruments/tpic6c595.pdf

And if the polarity is wrong, then that can be changed in the
firmware.

Much flap about not much. But I've learned from it.

73, doug
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KK7P

Re: Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions

> That's useful information. If the K3 band select lines can tolerate
> 12V pullups,

They can.

73,

Lyle KK7P

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