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Using K3 for 2m EME

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W7GJ, Lance

Using K3 for 2m EME

I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to TX5K, I used my K3
for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter port for a 28 to 144 MHz
transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz converter into that nicely isolated receive
port. The receiver worked great, but I was eventually interested in getting the
internal 2m transmitter module so I could use the more stable K3 on XMIT too. I was
using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on 2m EME, and - as most of you know -
it drifts quite noticeably every sequence. And besides, I thought for traveling it
would be convenient to have both 2m and 6m capability in one lightweight box.

So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is that I can no
longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to the 2m module. And
apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one (a BNC called antenna jack #3) that
is used for box receive and transmit. So there seems to be no way to use the K3
with a separate protected receive line anymore!

For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line into the separate RX
ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through the UHF antenna jack #2. For
2m EME, though, I can't figure out how to bring in a separate receive line (either on
2m from my tower mounted preamp or after my receive converter at 28 MHz) and still be
able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not support cross band operation, so I cannot
use the RX ANT jack to safely receive my converter output on 28 MHz and still
transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.

Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to provide a
separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I just made a very expensive
mistake, and should have just bought an external transverter so I could retain use of
the separate transverter receive jack on the rear of the K3. If not, I guess I will
just have to go back to using the IC746 for my transmitter on 2m, and defining a
second transverter setting for the K3 that will allow me to bring in my 28 MHz
converter output into that receive only jack. This latter option DOES seem to work,
but of course, the internal transmit capability of the K3 on 2m is thrown out the window.

Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced external coaxial
relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna jack #3, between my driver amp
input and my 2m preamp output. However, the whole point of this expensive exercise
was to try to take advantage of the great separate receiver antenna capabilities
offered by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if you add the built-in 2m
option :-(

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech Support suggested that
I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on how to make this work, and I
guess are surprised at my application. MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ
(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
QTH: DN27ub
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
Windows Messenger: [hidden email]
Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
page (above)!

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Using K3 for 2m EME

Lance,

My guess is that you will need to change to the external XV144
transverter which does have the capability of using separate TX and RX
antennas (selectable at build time). The internal transverter does not
have that capability.

Yes, it does sound like an expensive oversight.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/8/2013 7:37 PM, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:

> I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to
> TX5K, I used my K3 for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter
> port for a 28 to 144 MHz transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz
> converter into that nicely isolated receive port. The receiver
> worked great, but I was eventually interested in getting the internal
> 2m transmitter module so I could use the more stable K3 on XMIT too.
> I was using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on 2m EME, and - as
> most of you know - it drifts quite noticeably every sequence. And
> besides, I thought for traveling it would be convenient to have both
> 2m and 6m capability in one lightweight box.
>
> So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is
> that I can no longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to
> the 2m module. And apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one
> (a BNC called antenna jack #3) that is used for box receive and
> transmit. So there seems to be no way to use the K3 with a separate
> protected receive line anymore!
>
> For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line into
> the separate RX ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through
> the UHF antenna jack #2. For 2m EME, though, I can't figure out how
> to bring in a separate receive line (either on 2m from my tower
> mounted preamp or after my receive converter at 28 MHz) and still be
> able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not support cross band operation,
> so I cannot use the RX ANT jack to safely receive my converter output
> on 28 MHz and still transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.
>
> Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to
> provide a separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I
> just made a very expensive mistake, and should have just bought an
> external transverter so I could retain use of the separate transverter
> receive jack on the rear of the K3. If not, I guess I will just have
> to go back to using the IC746 for my transmitter on 2m, and defining a
> second transverter setting for the K3 that will allow me to bring in
> my 28 MHz converter output into that receive only jack. This latter
> option DOES seem to work, but of course, the internal transmit
> capability of the K3 on 2m is thrown out the window.
>
> Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced
> external coaxial relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna
> jack #3, between my driver amp input and my 2m preamp output. However,
> the whole point of this expensive exercise was to try to take
> advantage of the great separate receiver antenna capabilities offered
> by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if you add the
> built-in 2m option :-(
>
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech Support
> suggested that I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on
> how to make this work, and I guess are surprised at my application.
> MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance
>

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Edward R Cole

Re: [Moon-Net] Using K3 for 2m EME

In reply to this post by W7GJ, Lance

Lance ,

As you know I run the K3 for eme, as well. I chose the new L-series
DEMI transverter so it was built to my spec as perfect interface with
K3. It seems most of the ham world is unfamiliar with separated Rx
and Tx (though Elecraft did a super job on the KVX3 option...but then
forgot it when they designed the K144XV). Well, probably assumed
most users would be working FM repeaters or using brick amps with
internal switching for CW/SSB. EME is just too niche.

Only suggestion is modifying the K144XV to eliminate TR switching;
not sure how easy that would be. keeping the K144XV inside the K3
cabinet is problematic with running extra cables...or add an external
coax relay (maybe the simplest solution).

I will be incorporating the 2M module in the KX3 when it is
available. It will be a standard common ANT connection so will
require external TR relay to separate Rx and Tx for preamps and
PA. I will likely only use it as 28-MHz IF for mw transverters and
built the required ckts into the mw transverters (my 3400-144 and
10368-144 transverters have common IF).

BTW my DEMI L144-28HP DRX is a dream for working adaptive pol on
2m-eme. Unfortunately, DEMI made only one. With the IQ+ as
competition, its doubtful it would be an item that DEMI will
manufacture. I hear a Tx is coming out for the IQ+.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 03:37 PM 4/8/2013, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:

>I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to
>TX5K, I used my K3
>for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter port for a 28 to 144 MHz
>transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz converter into that nicely
>isolated receive
>port. The receiver worked great, but I was eventually interested
>in getting the
>internal 2m transmitter module so I could use the more stable K3 on
>XMIT too. I was
>using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on 2m EME, and - as
>most of you know -
>it drifts quite noticeably every sequence. And besides, I thought
>for traveling it
>would be convenient to have both 2m and 6m capability in one lightweight box.
>
>So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is
>that I can no
>longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to the 2m module. And
>apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one (a BNC called
>antenna jack #3) that
>is used for box receive and transmit. So there seems to be no way
>to use the K3
>with a separate protected receive line anymore!
>
>For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line
>into the separate RX
>ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through the UHF antenna
>jack #2. For
>2m EME, though, I can't figure out how to bring in a separate
>receive line (either on
>2m from my tower mounted preamp or after my receive converter at 28
>MHz) and still be
>able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not support cross band
>operation, so I cannot
>use the RX ANT jack to safely receive my converter output on 28 MHz and still
>transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.
>
>Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to
>provide a
>separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I just made a
>very expensive
>mistake, and should have just bought an external transverter so I
>could retain use of
>the separate transverter receive jack on the rear of the K3. If
>not, I guess I will
>just have to go back to using the IC746 for my transmitter on 2m,
>and defining a
>second transverter setting for the K3 that will allow me to bring in
>my 28 MHz
>converter output into that receive only jack. This latter option
>DOES seem to work,
>but of course, the internal transmit capability of the K3 on 2m is
>thrown out the window.
>
>Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced
>external coaxial
>relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna jack #3, between
>my driver amp
>input and my 2m preamp output. However, the whole point of this
>expensive exercise
>was to try to take advantage of the great separate receiver antenna
>capabilities
>offered by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if you add
>the built-in 2m
>option :-(
>
>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech
>Support suggested that
>I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on how to make
>this work, and I
>guess are surprised at my application. MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance
>
>--
>Lance Collister, W7GJ
>(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M)
>P.O. Box 73
>Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
>USA
>TEL: (406) 626-5728
>QTH: DN27ub
>URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
>Windows Messenger: [hidden email]
>Skype: lanceW7GJ
>2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815
>
>Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
>email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
>page (above)!
>
>_______________________________________________
>Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at
>http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html

W7GJ, Lance

Re: [Moon-Net] Using K3 for 2m EME

Hi Ed,

TNX for your thoughts. Yes, an external transverter would have been more flexible,
but I was hoping for something self contained. Oh well....

I wired up a pair of BNC coaxial relays to my 2m relay switch box, and that seems to
safely terminate the output of my 2m preamp during XMIT, as well as redirect the 2m
output from the K3's new #3 coaxial connector to the input of my solid state driver
amp. It all seems to work now, so I am anxious to see how the stability looks on
JT65 tmrw when I give it an actual workout on 2m EME.

Sure am glad to have the K3 home again! GL with the 5W0M group - hopefully they will
start hearing some stations soon ;-) VY 73, Lance

On 4/9/2013 12:53 AM, Edward R Cole wrote:

> Lance ,
>
> As you know I run the K3 for eme, as well. I chose the new L-series DEMI
> transverter so it was built to my spec as perfect interface with K3. It seems most
> of the ham world is unfamiliar with separated Rx and Tx (though Elecraft did a
> super job on the KVX3 option...but then forgot it when they designed the K144XV).
> Well, probably assumed most users would be working FM repeaters or using brick amps
> with internal switching for CW/SSB. EME is just too niche.
>
> Only suggestion is modifying the K144XV to eliminate TR switching; not sure how
> easy that would be. keeping the K144XV inside the K3 cabinet is problematic with
> running extra cables...or add an external coax relay (maybe the simplest solution).
>
> I will be incorporating the 2M module in the KX3 when it is available. It will be
> a standard common ANT connection so will require external TR relay to separate Rx
> and Tx for preamps and PA. I will likely only use it as 28-MHz IF for mw
> transverters and built the required ckts into the mw transverters (my 3400-144 and
> 10368-144 transverters have common IF).
>
> BTW my DEMI L144-28HP DRX is a dream for working adaptive pol on 2m-eme.
> Unfortunately, DEMI made only one. With the IQ+ as competition, its doubtful it
> would be an item that DEMI will manufacture. I hear a Tx is coming out for the IQ+.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>
> At 03:37 PM 4/8/2013, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
>> I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to TX5K, I used my K3
>> for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter port for a 28 to 144 MHz
>> transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz converter into that nicely isolated receive
>> port. The receiver worked great, but I was eventually interested in getting the
>> internal 2m transmitter module so I could use the more stable K3 on XMIT too. I was
>> using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on 2m EME, and - as most of you know -
>> it drifts quite noticeably every sequence. And besides, I thought for traveling it
>> would be convenient to have both 2m and 6m capability in one lightweight box.
>>
>> So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is that I can no
>> longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to the 2m module. And
>> apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one (a BNC called antenna jack #3) that
>> is used for box receive and transmit. So there seems to be no way to use the K3
>> with a separate protected receive line anymore!
>>
>> For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line into the separate RX
>> ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through the UHF antenna jack #2. For
>> 2m EME, though, I can't figure out how to bring in a separate receive line (either on
>> 2m from my tower mounted preamp or after my receive converter at 28 MHz) and still be
>> able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not support cross band operation, so I cannot
>> use the RX ANT jack to safely receive my converter output on 28 MHz and still
>> transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.
>>
>> Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to provide a
>> separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I just made a very expensive
>> mistake, and should have just bought an external transverter so I could retain use of
>> the separate transverter receive jack on the rear of the K3. If not, I guess I will
>> just have to go back to using the IC746 for my transmitter on 2m, and defining a
>> second transverter setting for the K3 that will allow me to bring in my 28 MHz
>> converter output into that receive only jack. This latter option DOES seem to work,
>> but of course, the internal transmit capability of the K3 on 2m is thrown out the
>> window.
>>
>> Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced external coaxial
>> relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna jack #3, between my driver amp
>> input and my 2m preamp output. However, the whole point of this expensive exercise
>> was to try to take advantage of the great separate receiver antenna capabilities
>> offered by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if you add the built-in 2m
>> option :-(
>>
>> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech Support suggested that
>> I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on how to make this work, and I
>> guess are surprised at my application. MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance
>>
>> --
>> Lance Collister, W7GJ
>> (ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M)
>> P.O. Box 73
>> Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
>> USA
>> TEL: (406) 626-5728
>> QTH: DN27ub
>> URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
>> Windows Messenger: [hidden email]
>> Skype: lanceW7GJ
>> 2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815
>>
>> Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
>> email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
>> page (above)!
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at
>> http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
>
>

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ
(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
QTH: DN27ub
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
Windows Messenger: [hidden email]
Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
page (above)!

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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W7GJ, Lance

Re: Using K3 for 2m EME

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Hi Don,

We will see how it works today on 2m EME with the pair of BNC external coaxial relays
to control the K3's single 2m port ;-) VY 73, Lance

On 4/8/2013 11:54 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Lance,
>
> My guess is that you will need to change to the external XV144 transverter which
> does have the capability of using separate TX and RX antennas (selectable at build
> time). The internal transverter does not have that capability.
>
> Yes, it does sound like an expensive oversight.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 4/8/2013 7:37 PM, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
>> I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to TX5K, I used my
>> K3 for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter port for a 28 to 144 MHz
>> transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz converter into that nicely isolated
>> receive port. The receiver worked great, but I was eventually interested in
>> getting the internal 2m transmitter module so I could use the more stable K3 on
>> XMIT too. I was using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on 2m EME, and - as
>> most of you know - it drifts quite noticeably every sequence. And besides, I
>> thought for traveling it would be convenient to have both 2m and 6m capability in
>> one lightweight box.
>>
>> So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is that I can no
>> longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to the 2m module. And
>> apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one (a BNC called antenna jack #3)
>> that is used for box receive and transmit. So there seems to be no way to use
>> the K3 with a separate protected receive line anymore!
>>
>> For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line into the separate
>> RX ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through the UHF antenna jack #2.
>> For 2m EME, though, I can't figure out how to bring in a separate receive line
>> (either on 2m from my tower mounted preamp or after my receive converter at 28
>> MHz) and still be able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not support cross band
>> operation, so I cannot use the RX ANT jack to safely receive my converter output
>> on 28 MHz and still transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.
>>
>> Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to provide a
>> separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I just made a very expensive
>> mistake, and should have just bought an external transverter so I could retain use
>> of the separate transverter receive jack on the rear of the K3. If not, I guess
>> I will just have to go back to using the IC746 for my transmitter on 2m, and
>> defining a second transverter setting for the K3 that will allow me to bring in my
>> 28 MHz converter output into that receive only jack. This latter option DOES seem
>> to work, but of course, the internal transmit capability of the K3 on 2m is thrown
>> out the window.
>>
>> Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced external coaxial
>> relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna jack #3, between my driver amp
>> input and my 2m preamp output. However, the whole point of this expensive exercise
>> was to try to take advantage of the great separate receiver antenna capabilities
>> offered by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if you add the built-in 2m
>> option :-(
>>
>> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech Support suggested
>> that I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on how to make this work,
>> and I guess are surprised at my application. MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance
>>
>
>

W7GJ, Lance

Re: Using K3 for 2m EME

Hallo Olli,

It worked GREAT! I received ROCK SOLID stability reports from people I worked JT65B
mode today on 2m EME ;-) It is tied to the high stability oscillator that is in the
K3, but I have no external reference. I do have the KXV3A and the K144XV-F with
REFLOCK, and on the menu setting it says that it is locked onto that fort the
frequency. I have not checked with people to see how close my 2m frequency seems to
be, but I think it must be pretty close, and the stability is obviously good. Nice
to have the same stability now that I have been enjoying from the K3 on 6m EME ;-)
GL and VY 73, Lance

On 4/9/2013 10:58 PM, Oliver Dröse wrote:

> Hi Lance,
>
> and, how did it work? Curious to know, never put my K3/K144XV on the moon, just
> used for terrestrial modes like tropo and MS yet. And do you also have the REFLOCK
> board?
>
> Tnx & 73, Olli - DH8BQA
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lance Collister, W7GJ" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Cc: "Elecraft Mailing List" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2013 5:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Using K3 for 2m EME
>
>
>> Hi Don,
>>
>> We will see how it works today on 2m EME with the pair of BNC external coaxial
>> relays to control the K3's single 2m port ;-) VY 73, Lance
>>
>>
>>
>> On 4/8/2013 11:54 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>> Lance,
>>>
>>> My guess is that you will need to change to the external XV144 transverter which
>>> does have the capability of using separate TX and RX antennas (selectable at
>>> build time). The internal transverter does not have that capability.
>>>
>>> Yes, it does sound like an expensive oversight.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 4/8/2013 7:37 PM, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
>>>> I wonder if anybody has any ideas about this. Prior to my trip to TX5K, I used
>>>> my K3 for receive on 2m EME by setting up the transverter port for a 28 to 144
>>>> MHz transverter, and I just plugged my 28 MHz converter into that nicely
>>>> isolated receive port. The receiver worked great, but I was eventually
>>>> interested in getting the internal 2m transmitter module so I could use the more
>>>> stable K3 on XMIT too. I was using my old IC746 as a separate transmitter on
>>>> 2m EME, and - as most of you know - it drifts quite noticeably every sequence.
>>>> And besides, I thought for traveling it would be convenient to have both 2m and
>>>> 6m capability in one lightweight box.
>>>>
>>>> So, now I have the 2m module installed in my K3 ;-) The problem is that I can
>>>> no longer use the transverter port....it is hard wired to the 2m module. And
>>>> apparently, the only 2m connector is the new one (a BNC called antenna jack #3)
>>>> that is used for box receive and transmit. So there seems to be no way to use
>>>> the K3 with a separate protected receive line anymore!
>>>>
>>>> For 6m EME, there is no problem - I just bring my 6m preamp line into the
>>>> separate RX ANT jack, and the 6m transmit power goes out through the UHF antenna
>>>> jack #2. For 2m EME, though, I can't figure out how to bring in a separate
>>>> receive line (either on 2m from my tower mounted preamp or after my receive
>>>> converter at 28 MHz) and still be able to transmit on 2m. The K3 does not
>>>> support cross band operation, so I cannot use the RX ANT jack to safely receive
>>>> my converter output on 28 MHz and still transmit using the internal 10w 2m module.
>>>>
>>>> Has anybody figured out a way to modify the circuitry or software to provide a
>>>> separate receive line for 2m operation? It seems like I just made a very
>>>> expensive mistake, and should have just bought an external transverter so I
>>>> could retain use of the separate transverter receive jack on the rear of the
>>>> K3. If not, I guess I will just have to go back to using the IC746 for my
>>>> transmitter on 2m, and defining a second transverter setting for the K3 that
>>>> will allow me to bring in my 28 MHz converter output into that receive only
>>>> jack. This latter option DOES seem to work, but of course, the internal
>>>> transmit capability of the K3 on 2m is thrown out the window.
>>>>
>>>> Of course, there is always the solution of adding more sequenced external
>>>> coaxial relays to switch the K3's solitary new BNC antenna jack #3, between my
>>>> driver amp input and my 2m preamp output. However, the whole point of this
>>>> expensive exercise was to try to take advantage of the great separate receiver
>>>> antenna capabilities offered by the K3 on all other bands, apparently EXCEPT if
>>>> you add the built-in 2m option :-(
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Elecraft Tech Support suggested
>>>> that I ask users for ideas, since they also are baffled on how to make this
>>>> work, and I guess are surprised at my application. MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Lance Collister, W7GJ
>> (ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M)
>> P.O. Box 73
>> Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
>> USA
>> TEL: (406) 626-5728
>> QTH: DN27ub
>> URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
>> Windows Messenger: [hidden email]
>> Skype: lanceW7GJ
>> 2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815
>>
>> Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
>> email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
>> page (above)!
>>
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>

Edward R Cole

Re: Using K3 for 2m EME

In reply to this post by W7GJ, Lance

Lance,

Very good! On digital eme I found that freq stability is the more
critical parameter vs freq accuracy. WSJT (JT65) typically displays
up to 2.5 KHz of spectrum so one can find signals that are off center
frequency (on eme Doppler shift results in this as normal), but
keeping on a given frequency without drift is important when eme is
crowded or weak; choosing a 20-Hz sw decoder bw requires it.

Looks like the K144XV with
REFLOCK works. Adding an external 10-MHz on the K3 will only succeed
in bringing accuracy (I am 8-Hz accurate on 144-MHz with upward
thermal drift of 5-Hz in my transverter xtal osc. during the initial
20-30 min of transmission. This keeps my total offset within 13-KHz.

Looks like another win for Elecraft's responsive customer
"engineering" service.

I am hoping eventual duplication on 144 with the KX3.

73, Ed - KL7UW

Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:48:35 +0000
From: "Lance Collister, W7GJ" <[hidden email]>
To: Oliver Dr?se <[hidden email]>, Elecraft Mailing List
<[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Using K3 for 2m EME

Hallo Olli,

It worked GREAT! I received ROCK SOLID stability reports from people
I worked JT65B
mode today on 2m EME ;-) It is tied to the high stability
oscillator that is in the
K3, but I have no external reference. I do have the KXV3A and the
K144XV-F with
REFLOCK, and on the menu setting it says that it is locked onto that fort the
frequency. I have not checked with people to see how close my 2m
frequency seems to
be, but I think it must be pretty close, and the stability is
obviously good. Nice
to have the same stability now that I have been enjoying from the K3
on 6m EME ;-)
GL and VY 73, Lance

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