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N1EU

P3 transmit monitor

I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
etc ???

Thanks & 73,
Barry N1EU
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Richard Thorne-4

Re: P3 transmit monitor

Barry,

I have one as I needed a watt meter/swr meter to go in line with my
AL-1200 amp/K3-P3 combo.

I have another K3-P3 with a KPA-500/KAT-500, I didn't bother with the
monitor on this P3 as it's simply not needed as both the KPA-500 and
KAT-500 have watt/swr meters.

I'm still playing with the transmit monitor to determine if it's worth
having it on the P3 display.

Rich - N5ZC

On 12/9/2015 8:10 AM, Barry N1EU wrote:

> I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
> while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
> in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
> etc ???
>
> Thanks & 73,
> Barry N1EU
> ______________________________________________________________
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EUGENE GABRY

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by N1EU

Hi Barry,

I have been using a spectrum scope long before purchasing my K3S with P3. For just day to day operating, I have become accustomed to being able to see at a glance the activity on the band that I am operating.
It really comes in handy for contesting and working DX pile ups that are working split. In the later case, it helps to spot the stations the DX has worked and allows one to track how the DX station is moving through the split frequency range.

I mainly use it as tool for contesting and DX operations working split. Although, it's also nice to be able to see the other guys TX wave form and bandwidth. It's amazing how many dirty signals are out there, but that's another topic!

73 Gene, N9TF

K3S 10057

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

From: "Barry N1EU" <[hidden email]>
To: "elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 8:10:29 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] P3 transmit monitor

I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
etc ???

Thanks & 73,
Barry N1EU
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Jim Brown-10

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by Richard Thorne-4

> I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
> while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
> in day-to-day operating?

Hi Barry,

I studied the data sheet, realized it doesn't do anything useful, and
asked Wayne why not. I got the distinct impression that it's never going
to anything useful.

For several years, I've been in line to buy N8LP's new LP500 TX monitor.
It WILL do a LOT of useful stuff, and is due to go into production in
the first half of 2016. A year or so ago, I bought a used LP100A from
the estate of a local SK. It came with one coupler and I bought a second
for my SO2R station. The LP100A auto-switches between them. I love it!
As a result, I can run much closer to our 1,5000 W limit than with the
less accurate power meters I used before.

73, Jim K9YC
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john@kk9a.com

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by N1EU

The LP100A is an excellent watt meter and N8LP offers great support. It
is well worth the money.

John KK9A

Jim Brown jim at audiosystemsgroup.com
Wed Dec 9 12:45:50 EST 2015

Hi Barry,

For several years, I've been in line to buy N8LP's new LP500 TX monitor.
It WILL do a LOT of useful stuff, and is due to go into production in
the first half of 2016. A year or so ago, I bought a used LP100A from
the estate of a local SK. It came with one coupler and I bought a second
for my SO2R station. The LP100A auto-switches between them. I love it!
As a result, I can run much closer to our 1,5000 W limit than with the
less accurate power meters I used before.

73, Jim K9YC

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EUGENE GABRY

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by EUGENE GABRY

Bill,

I wrote back to Barry off line to apologize for misreading his subject line, and explained I did not have the Transmit Monitor for similar reasons that Jim Brown has already highlighted.
I apologize to the list. Should have read the material more closely before responding.

73 Gene, N9TF

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

From: "Nr4c" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 12:17:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 transmit monitor

But what do you think of the "Transmit Monitor" on the P3 display? The original question!

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Dec 9, 2015, at 12:41 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Hi Barry,
>
> I have been using a spectrum scope long before purchasing my K3S with P3. For just day to day operating, I have become accustomed to being able to see at a glance the activity on the band that I am operating.
> It really comes in handy for contesting and working DX pile ups that are working split. In the later case, it helps to spot the stations the DX has worked and allows one to track how the DX station is moving through the split frequency range.
>
> I mainly use it as tool for contesting and DX operations working split. Although, it's also nice to be able to see the other guys TX wave form and bandwidth. It's amazing how many dirty signals are out there, but that's another topic!
>
> 73 Gene, N9TF
>
> K3S 10057
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Barry N1EU" <[hidden email]>
> To: "elecraft" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 8:10:29 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] P3 transmit monitor
>
> I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
> while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
> in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
> etc ???
>
> Thanks & 73,
> Barry N1EU
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Lu Romero - W4LT

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by N1EU

Barry:

It is the first Elecraft product I have ever been personally disappointed
by.

If you already have a good wattmeter, you don't need it. If you don't, the
positive thing is that the wattmeter works just fine, and saves you from yet
another box to put on your bench. So it does have value in a compact K-Line
station.

The waveform display can be replicated simply by using your bench O'Scope
and an 18 inch long piece of wire.

I expected more functionality from the P3 TX MON within the P3 hardware
which Is, in essence, an SDR. What I thought I was getting was a pseudo
Spectrum Analysis tool with a waveform similar to what you get if you unplug
the P3 from the Serial Cable and use IF bleed through to see your
transmitter spectrum and a RTTY cross pulse ellipsoid display, like my old
Heath SB620 had.

But after a three year wait to purchase and a two and a half month wait for
delivery after ordering one last Dayton, all I got for my money was yet
another wattmeter. And I already had plenty of those.

The waveforms are cute and non-ham visitors to the shack think they are
keen, especially an 8 year old that was amazed to watch his voice become
green squiggly lines on the P3 screen during Kid's Day. As far as daily
functionality, not so much. For signal testing for station maintenance? My
O'Scope is infinitely more adjustable and can even compare audio in to RF
out waveforms (dual trace).

If this board had included the keyboard USB input for those of us who don't
need the external VGA functionality, I would be less inclined to complain.
As it is, for me, it was a useless expenditure as it does nothing at my
station that I could not already do with existing equipment.

Lu Romero - W4LT

Tampa, FL - K-Line

>I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
while. ?Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful in
day-to-day >operating? ?Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy, etc ???

>

>Thanks & 73,

>Barry N1EU

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George Danner

Re: P3 transmit monitor

Guys,
For me the Transmit Monitor was exactly what I expected when I ordered it.
It replaced my bench scope which took-up too much space on my desk and
relegated to a corner and integrated the power meter/VSWR into one display.
Now my P3 is on a shelf in front of me and in my field of view when
transmitting. The SVGA is below on the desk top.
I do like having the confidence of seeing my modulation envelop. Takes me
back to the days of broadcast AM In Tampa in the 60s.

I too would have liked to have a spectrum display as well, but knew when
ordering it was not too be!

Hopefully someday Elecraft will create such a product; but I doubt it will
be anywhere in the price range of the Transmit Monitor.

I'll give change for my $0.02.

73
George
AI4VZ

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Joel Black-2

Re: P3 transmit monitor

George,

I’m in the same boat. I like digital modes and wanted to be able to watch my ALC and VSWR at the same time. The P3TX Monitor was less expensive than the W2 wattmeter and it kept me from having to add a box to my shack.

Except for a few frequencies, I really like it.

73,
Joel - W4JBB

> On Dec 10, 2015, at 7:17 AM, George Danner <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Guys,
> For me the Transmit Monitor was exactly what I expected when I ordered it.
> It replaced my bench scope which took-up too much space on my desk and relegated to a corner and integrated the power meter/VSWR into one display.
> Now my P3 is on a shelf in front of me and in my field of view when transmitting. The SVGA is below on the desk top.
> I do like having the confidence of seeing my modulation envelop. Takes me back to the days of broadcast AM In Tampa in the 60s.
>
> I too would have liked to have a spectrum display as well, but knew when ordering it was not too be!
>
> Hopefully someday Elecraft will create such a product; but I doubt it will be anywhere in the price range of the Transmit Monitor.
>
> I'll give change for my $0.02.
>
> 73
> George
> AI4VZ
> ______________________________________________________________
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Nate Bargmann

Re: P3 transmit monitor

In reply to this post by N1EU

* On 2015 09 Dec 08:13 -0600, Barry N1EU wrote:
> I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
> while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
> in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
> etc ???

I have noticed that I am flat topping on voice peaks which is a reminder
that I need to turn the power down on the K3 to the ALS-600.

I find the PEP wattmeter and SWR display useful. Yes, it compressed the
FFT and waterfall some, but it was a trade-off that is now "normal".

I am satisfied with it and have it enabled at all times. While I wish
the TX monitor could also show an FFT of the transmission, I understand
this is not possible. At least this way I am able to monitor my TX
signal at the output of the amplifier.

73, Nate N0NB

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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N1EU

Re: P3 transmit monitor

Can you get a relative assessment of the degree of compression (speech
processing) by viewing the ssb waveform in the P3 TX monitor?

Barry N1EU

On Thu, Dec 10, 2015 at 8:30 PM, Nate Bargmann <[hidden email]> wrote:

> * On 2015 09 Dec 08:13 -0600, Barry N1EU wrote:
>> I'd like to hear from folks who've owned the P3 transmit monitor for a
>> while. Can you please comment on why you do (or don't) find it useful
>> in day-to-day operating? Is it a tool you use often, just a cool toy,
>> etc ???
>
> I have noticed that I am flat topping on voice peaks which is a reminder
> that I need to turn the power down on the K3 to the ALS-600.
>
> I find the PEP wattmeter and SWR display useful. Yes, it compressed the
> FFT and waterfall some, but it was a trade-off that is now "normal".
>
> I am satisfied with it and have it enabled at all times. While I wish
> the TX monitor could also show an FFT of the transmission, I understand
> this is not possible. At least this way I am able to monitor my TX
> signal at the output of the amplifier.
>
> 73, Nate N0NB
>
> --
>
> "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
> possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."
>
> Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
> ______________________________________________________________
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Nate Bargmann

Re: P3 transmit monitor

* On 2015 11 Dec 04:26 -0600, Barry N1EU wrote:
> Can you get a relative assessment of the degree of compression (speech
> processing) by viewing the ssb waveform in the P3 TX monitor?

The Christmas tree definitely gets more distorted on the display as the
compression is increased. Just now as I adjust it up and down while
speaking into a dummy load the compression is quite apparent as the
control hits 13 and above with the MC-60 mic. I typically leave COMP at
10 so it's not quite as noticeable on the display.

Sometimes on 75m I have RFI get into the MC-60 (I've done the mods which
helped but not totally eliminated it). With the TX mon I see it right
away if I have the audio monitor turned down too low as I can hear a
motorboating sound when it happens. It's quite apparent on the display.

Could I live without the TX monitor? Yes. Is it a nice station
accessory? Yes. Is it on a par with having a quality scope or spectrum
analyzer? No. Does a scope give continuous feedback on PEP forward
power and SWR? No. Do I plan to sell it? No.

73, Nate N0NB

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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