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Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

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k6dgw

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

Jim Brown K9YC wrote:
> On Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:54:23 -0700, Rick Sealock wrote:
>
>> So as a prospective Elecraft K3 purchaser, what options should I get?
>
>> Want both SSB and CW capabilities (and, maybe, the new panadaptor?)
>
> I recommend all the HF modules, including the XVTR module.

Well, I know better than to disagree with Jim, his knowledge goes far
beyond mine. So rather than disagree, I'll offer an *alternative
algorithm* for deciding how to configure your K3.

STEP 1: Write down the top three radio activities you think you'll do
with your new K3 ... ragchews, DX, VHF/UHF, contests, etc. Then, rate
your operation effort: Casual, Moderate, Intense, D-BB [Driven Beyond
Belief, we all know who they are :-)].

STEP 2: Out of 100%, list the fraction of time you expect to be on CW,
SSB, and Digital modes.

STEP 3: Out of 100%, list the fraction of time you expect to be QRP in
any situation.

STEP 4: List the non-shack uses for your new K3. "Non-shack" means
portable like for FD, FOBB, Spartan Sprint outside, mobile, etc.

Throw away the list from Step 2, it doesn't matter, the K3 does 'em all
just fine.

CASUAL: Get a vanilla K3 with stock filters. If your antennas aren't
well matched, or if you plan on field ops, get the ATU. It isn't
expensive, and it works like a charm. If QRP is not your power of
choice, get the 100W amp. If you don't have an RS-232 port available,
get the KUSB USB-Serial adapter. If you have one, try it out ... all
adapters are NOT created equal. You need it to download firmware.
Transverter options only if you do VHF/UHF.

MODERATE: If you mainly ragchew with friends and/or strangers, the
CASUAL configuration is a good place to start. If your ops include
contesting, you might want to pick up a USB Winkeyer or Microham keyer,
software keying can be really annoying. Transverter options if you do
VHF/UHF. If you don't have a good paddle and CW is a major part of your
operating plans, the Hexkey from Elecraft is good.

INTENSE: If you have some big guns within 10-20 miles of you, you might
want to consider a sharper CW roofing filter. I'm not sure it is worth
it for SSB although a lot of guys are using DSP BW of 1.8 Khz on SSB,
and if you think you might, the 1.8 filter is likely a good deal. The
second Rx is probably a really good idea here too. Diversity reception
can really make a difference and it requires the sub-Rx. SO2R will
require 2 K3's. A panadapter can be a real asset.

D-BB: Take Jim's advice, do the transverter stuff if VHF/UHF is in your
horoscope. SO4R requires 4 K3's [two on the floor and prehensile toes].
Panadapter is probably mandatory [as are 5 over 5 over 5 on 80 - 10,
and multiple Sterba curtains on 160].

Keep in mind ... there is nothing "final" about your K3 configuration.
Even if you put every available piece of hardware into it, it is still
an SDR, and one never knows what they'll come up with next that is
implemented in machine code.

Fred K6DGW

Intense for contesting, casual for all the rest, no VHF/UHF [do that
with other gear when I do it at all], 75%/10%/15% [CW/SSB/RTTY]. Three
big guns within 3 mi -- KF6T @ 1.72 mi and 1,500W; WX6V @ 2.11 mi and
about 800W; K6IDX @ 13 mi with 1,500W line-of-sight.

Vanilla K3 w/stock filters, ATU, and DVR [added later for ARRL SS SSB].
I don't use the DSP NR very much, the NB pretty much cleans up the
spectrum for me.
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Joe Planisky

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

Don't forget that the transverter option (KXV3 or KXV3A) also gives
you the ability to use a separate receive antenna, especially useful
for low noise receive-only antennas on 80m and 160m. Also, it will be
needed if you intend to eventually add the P3 or other panadapter.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Mar 16, 2010, at 4:27 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

>> On Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:54:23 -0700, Rick Sealock wrote:
>>
>>> So as a prospective Elecraft K3 purchaser, what options should I
>>> get?
>>
>>> Want both SSB and CW capabilities (and, maybe, the new panadaptor?)
>>

...

> Transverter options only if you do VHF/UHF.
>
>
> Fred K6DGW

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David Pratt

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

Are you sure about that, Joe? The need for the KXV3A for the P3 has
been denied in the past.

73

David G4DMP

In a recent message, Joe Planisky <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>
>Don't forget that the transverter option (KXV3 or KXV3A) also gives
>you the ability to use a separate receive antenna, especially useful
>for low noise receive-only antennas on 80m and 160m. Also, it will be
>needed if you intend to eventually add the P3 or other panadapter.

--
David G4DMP
Leeds, England, UK
------

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M0XDF

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

You will need either a KXV3 (with mod) or KXV3A.
73 de M0XDF
--
Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling with a pig in the mud,
after a while you realize you are muddy and the pig is enjoying it.

On 17 Mar 2010, at 07:26, David Pratt wrote:

> Are you sure about that, Joe? The need for the KXV3A for the P3 has
> been denied in the past.
>
> 73
>
> David G4DMP
>
> In a recent message, Joe Planisky <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>
>> Don't forget that the transverter option (KXV3 or KXV3A) also gives
>> you the ability to use a separate receive antenna, especially useful
>> for low noise receive-only antennas on 80m and 160m. Also, it will be
>> needed if you intend to eventually add the P3 or other panadapter.
>

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Joe Planisky

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

In reply to this post by David Pratt

In an email to the reflector on Feb. 17, 2010 with subject line "Re:
[Elecraft] For you Anti-Scopes" from Eric Swartz, Ted Roycraft had
asked:

>> 1) If you purchase a P3, do you also have to purchase a KXV3A or will
>> one be included?

And Eric answered:

> your K3 will need to have the KXV3 or KXV3a for IF output. Its not
> included with the P3 since most K3s already have added it.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Mar 17, 2010, at 12:26 AM, David Pratt wrote:

> Are you sure about that, Joe? The need for the KXV3A for the P3 has
> been denied in the past.
>
> 73
>
> David G4DMP
>
> In a recent message, Joe Planisky <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>
>> Don't forget that the transverter option (KXV3 or KXV3A) also gives
>> you the ability to use a separate receive antenna, especially useful
>> for low noise receive-only antennas on 80m and 160m. Also, it will
>> be
>> needed if you intend to eventually add the P3 or other panadapter.
>
> --
> David G4DMP
> Leeds, England, UK
> ------
>
>
>

Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604

Re: [NCCC] Elecraft

I note that the KXV3 is no longer listed on the Elecraft web site-
just the KXV3A.

I ordered the K144XV-F and upgrade for the KXV3. Since the KXV3A
arrived earlier then the K144XV-F (with the DSP upgrade), I installed
it at that time. I'm now having second thoughts about the K144XV-F,
but I sent the KXV3 back with the old DSP board.

Oh, and I had installed PEM nuts in my old stiffener when I swapped
DSP boards, to find that the new stiffener has them already!

If someone gets a P3 and doesn't need a KXV3(A), it'd be pretty easy
to drill a hole for the IF output BNC in the filler panel and buy the
cable from Elecraft for less than $110. USD.

73, doug

From: Joe Planisky <[hidden email]>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:14:40 -0700

In an email to the reflector on Feb. 17, 2010 with subject line "Re:
[Elecraft] For you Anti-Scopes" from Eric Swartz, Ted Roycraft had
asked:

>> 1) If you purchase a P3, do you also have to purchase a KXV3A or will
>> one be included?

And Eric answered:

> your K3 will need to have the KXV3 or KXV3a for IF output. Its not
> included with the P3 since most K3s already have added it.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Mar 17, 2010, at 12:26 AM, David Pratt wrote:

> Are you sure about that, Joe? The need for the KXV3A for the P3 has
> been denied in the past.
>
> 73
>
> David G4DMP
>
> In a recent message, Joe Planisky <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>>
>> Don't forget that the transverter option (KXV3 or KXV3A) also gives
>> you the ability to use a separate receive antenna, especially useful
>> for low noise receive-only antennas on 80m and 160m. Also, it will
>> be
>> needed if you intend to eventually add the P3 or other panadapter.
>
> --
> David G4DMP
> Leeds, England, UK
> ------
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