Elecraft

Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

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tomb18

Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

Hi
I know that the P3 requires a serial connection to the K3 and the appropriate firmware and that this does not exist for the K2 and Kx3.
However, will it display the spectrum? And if it does, can one emulate the serial commands via the P3 serial port?
I am wondering if this could be an option in my software Win4K3 Suite if I provide a K2 and KX3 version.
Thanks, Tom
Va2fsq.com

Sent from my iPhone
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tomb18

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

I have determined that I can emulate the firmware and provide full functionality via serial commands.
Now, would there be an interest for P3 usage on a kx3 or k2?
Tom

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-08-27, at 10:33 PM, Tom <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi
> I know that the P3 requires a serial connection to the K3 and the appropriate firmware and that this does not exist for the K2 and Kx3.
> However, will it display the spectrum? And if it does, can one emulate the serial commands via the P3 serial port?
> I am wondering if this could be an option in my software Win4K3 Suite if I provide a K2 and KX3 version.
> Thanks, Tom
> Va2fsq.com
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Richard Fjeld

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

Will it require using a computer to do it?

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 10:35 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

I have determined that I can emulate the firmware and provide full
functionality via serial commands.
Now, would there be an interest for P3 usage on a kx3 or k2?
Tom

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-08-27, at 10:33 PM, Tom <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi
> I know that the P3 requires a serial connection to the K3 and the
> appropriate firmware and that this does not exist for the K2 and Kx3.
> However, will it display the spectrum? And if it does, can one emulate the
> serial commands via the P3 serial port?
> I am wondering if this could be an option in my software Win4K3 Suite if I
> provide a K2 and KX3 version.
> Thanks, Tom
> Va2fsq.com
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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wb4jfi

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by tomb18

I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish here with the KX3, pardon if
I mis-interpret.

Using a P3 requires that two issues be resolved: 1) control and, 2) RF
signal input.

P3 control is via the serial RS232 connection, and can be figured out.

However, the P3 wants to a single RF signal at its IF input. It then goes
through a typical DDC-based SDR approach, including an FFT, to display the
spectrum. The P3 works with the 8.215MHz IF output of the K3 (or many other
RF-frequency range, IF signals). The KX3 does NOT have a single RF/IF
output at the proper frequency. Instead, it has an I/Q output pair at
audio frequencies (0Hz-approx 48kHz or so) from the internal QSD. You would
need to upconvert that I/Q pair back to a single RF signal in order to feed
it to the P3. That's a lot of work, with much simpler solutions available.

I don't know much about the K2. Looking at the manual, internally, it has
an 4.9152MHz IF, but I don't think that's available on a connector, or if
the drive level is buffered and adequate. If so, you could use a P3 with a
K2 I suppose. The IF would need to be tapped BEFORE the crystal filtering.
I do NOT see an IF output connector, and only one transistor buffer between
the mixer and the crystal filters.

The KX3 I/Q output is set up to feed into a typical computer sound card
(stereo, line-in) and a Softrock SDR-type program, which is easier than
trying to jerry-rig a P3. You can potentially use a CAT interface with the
KX3 to query the current frequency, for SDR software display. I have NOT
one this directly, so I don't know what SDR software support that.
73, Terry, WB4JFI

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 11:35 PM
To: Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

I have determined that I can emulate the firmware and provide full
functionality via serial commands.
Now, would there be an interest for P3 usage on a kx3 or k2?
Tom

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-08-27, at 10:33 PM, Tom <[hidden email]> wrote:

<snip>

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Michael Babineau-2

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by tomb18

Terry et al :

Clifton Laboratories makes a product called the Z10000B (http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/k2_interface.htm)
that will add a IF port to the K2 or Orion, suitable for use with the LP-PAN and P3.

To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would want to add a P3 to a K2 ?
For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you could pick up a new Flex-1500.

Michael VE3WMB

>From: <[hidden email]>
>Date: August 28, 2013 12:38:40 AM EDT
>To: "Tom" <[hidden email]>, "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

>I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish here with the KX3, pardon if I mis-interpret.

>Using a P3 requires that two issues be resolved: 1) control and, 2) RF signal input.

>P3 control is via the serial RS232 connection, and can be figured out.

>However, the P3 wants to a single RF signal at its IF input. It then goes through a typical DDC-based SDR approach, including an FFT, to display the spectrum. The P3 works with the 8.215MHz IF output of >the K3 (or many other RF-frequency range, IF signals). The KX3 does NOT have a single RF/IF output at the proper frequency. Instead, it has an I/Q output pair at audio frequencies (0Hz-approx 48kHz or >so) from the internal QSD. You would need to upconvert that I/Q pair back to a single RF signal in order to feed it to the P3. That's a lot of work, with much simpler solutions available.

>I don't know much about the K2. Looking at the manual, internally, it has an 4.9152MHz IF, but I don't think that's available on a connector, or if the drive level is buffered and adequate. If so, you could use a >P3 with a K2 I suppose. The IF would need to be tapped BEFORE the crystal filtering. I do NOT see an IF output connector, and only one transistor buffer between the mixer and the crystal filters.

>The KX3 I/Q output is set up to feed into a typical computer sound card (stereo, line-in) and a Softrock SDR-type program, which is easier than trying to jerry-rig a P3. You can potentially use a CAT interface >with the KX3 to query the current frequency, for SDR software display. I have NOT one this directly, so I don't know what SDR software support that.
>73, Terry, WB4JFI
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Bruce Beford-2

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by tomb18

Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
Bruce, N1RX

> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would
> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you
> could pick up a new Flex-1500.

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by Michael Babineau-2

Michael,

There are some who would want to do just that. I recently had a
customer who wanted to use his LP-Pam or P3 with his K2; I added the
Clifton Labs Z10000-k2 for him. He already had the LP-Pan and the P3
available.

Yes, if one does not have those devices available, the price of the
Flex-1500 becomes attractive, but that may not satisfy all the
customer's parameters.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/28/2013 7:36 PM, Michael Babineau wrote:

> Terry et al :
>
> Clifton Laboratories makes a product called the Z10000B (http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/k2_interface.htm)
> that will add a IF port to the K2 or Orion, suitable for use with the LP-PAN and P3.
>
> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would want to add a P3 to a K2 ?
> For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you could pick up a new Flex-1500.
>
> Michael VE3WMB
>
>
>> From: <[hidden email]>
>> Date: August 28, 2013 12:38:40 AM EDT
>> To: "Tom" <[hidden email]>, "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>
>> I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish here with the KX3, pardon if I mis-interpret.
>> Using a P3 requires that two issues be resolved: 1) control and, 2) RF signal input.
>> P3 control is via the serial RS232 connection, and can be figured out.
>> However, the P3 wants to a single RF signal at its IF input. It then goes through a typical DDC-based SDR approach, including an FFT, to display the spectrum. The P3 works with the 8.215MHz IF output of >the K3 (or many other RF-frequency range, IF signals). The KX3 does NOT have a single RF/IF output at the proper frequency. Instead, it has an I/Q output pair at audio frequencies (0Hz-approx 48kHz or >so) from the internal QSD. You would need to upconvert that I/Q pair back to a single RF signal in order to feed it to the P3. That's a lot of work, with much simpler solutions available.
>> I don't know much about the K2. Looking at the manual, internally, it has an 4.9152MHz IF, but I don't think that's available on a connector, or if the drive level is buffered and adequate. If so, you could use a >P3 with a K2 I suppose. The IF would need to be tapped BEFORE the crystal filtering. I do NOT see an IF output connector, and only one transistor buffer between the mixer and the crystal filters.
>> The KX3 I/Q output is set up to feed into a typical computer sound card (stereo, line-in) and a Softrock SDR-type program, which is easier than trying to jerry-rig a P3. You can potentially use a CAT interface >with the KX3 to query the current frequency, for SDR software display. I have NOT one this directly, so I don't know what SDR software support that.
>> 73, Terry, WB4JFI
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Michael Babineau-2

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by tomb18

Bruce et al :

Using N4PYs RCP (or maybe even DDUTIL) it is possible to slave a Flex-1500 off
of a K2, or other radio, to use it as a Pan Adaptor. So for about the price of just a
Pan Adaptor (P3 or LP-Pan) you can actually get a Pan Adaptor (Flex-1500) that can also
be used as a transceiver. I guess that it depends on what you are looking for, but if you can live without the
K2s full break-in on CW, the Flex-1500 just by itself makes a pretty formidable little radio.

The point I was trying to make is that given the base price of the K2, how many people
are going to want to almost double the price by adding a P3 as Pan-Adaptor? I guess that it depends
on how "tricked-out" your K2 is. If you already have DSP, KPA100 then maybe it makes some sense.
I am not saying it is wrong to do so, it is just that there a lots of other Pan Adaptor options, some lower
cost and others similar cost but offering more flexibility. It really comes down to wants, needs and the users budget.

Personally I looked at this option myself (I love my K2) and decided that the P3 or LP-Pan options
didn't compute "dollar-wise" for me and if I really wanted SDR, buying a Flex-1500 to go along with my
K2 works out better for me. (Selling my K2 isn't an option).

So my comment regarding the original post is, before adding support for the K2/P3 to an existing
control program, the author (Tom VA2FSQ) might want to assess whether this is something that users are
really going to want to do frequently enough to justify the time and effort for the new software development.
Given that the WIN4K3 software is targeted specifically at Elecraft products, then maybe the answer
is that the K2/P3 combination should be supported anyway, just for WIN4K3 product completeness.
It is possible to make a P3 work with a K2.

Cheers

Michael VE3WMB

>From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>
>Date: August 28, 2013 7:50:38 PM EDT
>To: <[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

>Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
>Bruce, N1RX

> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would
> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you
> could pick up a new Flex-1500.
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wb4jfi

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

Wouldn't a Softrock Ensemble II receiver for less than $80, feeding a
soundcard, and some free SDR software, be a much cheaper but effective
answer?

The K2 appears to have a 4.9152MHz IF, so using an Ensemble II, with it's
Si570 tuned to 4.9152MHz, should work fine. Then, you feed the Ensemble II
I/Q outputs to either an internal sound card if stereo, or inexpensive USB
sound card (like an iMic?) if not. Rocky, PowerSDR-IF, SDR#, or other SDR
software will provide the spectrum display. If an iPad or iPhone, use iSDR.

I'm not sure if Tony Parks has a rock-bound Softrock that is close enough to
the 4.9MHz IF of the K2. If so, that's an even cheaper answer.

I would definitely put a buffer stage like the Clifton Labs mentioned
earlier, in the rig. Not only does it buffer the IF output of the K2, it
also prevents interference getting back into the K2 from the Ensemble or
Flex 1500 LO. QSD-based receivers are known for generating RF signals on
the carrier frequency BACK OUT the antenna port.

Seems like using a Flex 1500 just to provide a QSD-based demod/display is a
little like towing a Hummer behind your Suburban in case the Suburban breaks
down. And if you ever accidentally transmit on the Flex 1500 back into the
K2 - uh-oh. Having a "spare" rig could be handy though.
73, Terry, WB4JFI

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Babineau
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:22 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

Bruce et al :

Using N4PYs RCP (or maybe even DDUTIL) it is possible to slave a Flex-1500
off
of a K2, or other radio, to use it as a Pan Adaptor. So for about the price
of just a
Pan Adaptor (P3 or LP-Pan) you can actually get a Pan Adaptor (Flex-1500)
that can also
be used as a transceiver. I guess that it depends on what you are looking
for, but if you can live without the
K2s full break-in on CW, the Flex-1500 just by itself makes a pretty
formidable little radio.

The point I was trying to make is that given the base price of the K2, how
many people
are going to want to almost double the price by adding a P3 as Pan-Adaptor?
I guess that it depends
on how "tricked-out" your K2 is. If you already have DSP, KPA100 then maybe
it makes some sense.
I am not saying it is wrong to do so, it is just that there a lots of other
Pan Adaptor options, some lower
cost and others similar cost but offering more flexibility. It really comes
down to wants, needs and the users budget.

Personally I looked at this option myself (I love my K2) and decided that
the P3 or LP-Pan options
didn't compute "dollar-wise" for me and if I really wanted SDR, buying a
Flex-1500 to go along with my
K2 works out better for me. (Selling my K2 isn't an option).

So my comment regarding the original post is, before adding support for the
K2/P3 to an existing
control program, the author (Tom VA2FSQ) might want to assess whether this
is something that users are
really going to want to do frequently enough to justify the time and effort
for the new software development.
Given that the WIN4K3 software is targeted specifically at Elecraft
products, then maybe the answer
is that the K2/P3 combination should be supported anyway, just for WIN4K3
product completeness.
It is possible to make a P3 work with a K2.

Cheers

Michael VE3WMB

>From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>
>Date: August 28, 2013 7:50:38 PM EDT
>To: <[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

>Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
>Bruce, N1RX

> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would
> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you
> could pick up a new Flex-1500.
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Mike Murray-4

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by tomb18

I just completed adding the Softrock and Clifton Labs buffer to my K2 and it works nicely! Tony does have a crystal available for the SoftRock Lite II kit so that it works at 4.9152. For about $75 you can have a decent, but not great, panadapter for a K2.

Mike - W0AG

[hidden email] wrote:

>Wouldn't a Softrock Ensemble II receiver for less than $80, feeding a
>soundcard, and some free SDR software, be a much cheaper but effective
>answer?
>
>The K2 appears to have a 4.9152MHz IF, so using an Ensemble II, with it's
>Si570 tuned to 4.9152MHz, should work fine. Then, you feed the Ensemble II
>I/Q outputs to either an internal sound card if stereo, or inexpensive USB
>sound card (like an iMic?) if not. Rocky, PowerSDR-IF, SDR#, or other SDR
>software will provide the spectrum display. If an iPad or iPhone, use iSDR.
>
>I'm not sure if Tony Parks has a rock-bound Softrock that is close enough to
>the 4.9MHz IF of the K2. If so, that's an even cheaper answer.
>
>I would definitely put a buffer stage like the Clifton Labs mentioned
>earlier, in the rig. Not only does it buffer the IF output of the K2, it
>also prevents interference getting back into the K2 from the Ensemble or
>Flex 1500 LO. QSD-based receivers are known for generating RF signals on
>the carrier frequency BACK OUT the antenna port.
>
>Seems like using a Flex 1500 just to provide a QSD-based demod/display is a
>little like towing a Hummer behind your Suburban in case the Suburban breaks
>down. And if you ever accidentally transmit on the Flex 1500 back into the
>K2 - uh-oh. Having a "spare" rig could be handy though.
>73, Terry, WB4JFI
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Michael Babineau
>Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:22 AM
>To: [hidden email]
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>
>Bruce et al :
>
>Using N4PYs RCP (or maybe even DDUTIL) it is possible to slave a Flex-1500
>off
>of a K2, or other radio, to use it as a Pan Adaptor. So for about the price
>of just a
>Pan Adaptor (P3 or LP-Pan) you can actually get a Pan Adaptor (Flex-1500)
>that can also
>be used as a transceiver. I guess that it depends on what you are looking
>for, but if you can live without the
>K2s full break-in on CW, the Flex-1500 just by itself makes a pretty
>formidable little radio.
>
>The point I was trying to make is that given the base price of the K2, how
>many people
>are going to want to almost double the price by adding a P3 as Pan-Adaptor?
>I guess that it depends
>on how "tricked-out" your K2 is. If you already have DSP, KPA100 then maybe
>it makes some sense.
>I am not saying it is wrong to do so, it is just that there a lots of other
>Pan Adaptor options, some lower
>cost and others similar cost but offering more flexibility. It really comes
>down to wants, needs and the users budget.
>
>Personally I looked at this option myself (I love my K2) and decided that
>the P3 or LP-Pan options
>didn't compute "dollar-wise" for me and if I really wanted SDR, buying a
>Flex-1500 to go along with my
>K2 works out better for me. (Selling my K2 isn't an option).
>
>So my comment regarding the original post is, before adding support for the
>K2/P3 to an existing
>control program, the author (Tom VA2FSQ) might want to assess whether this
>is something that users are
>really going to want to do frequently enough to justify the time and effort
>for the new software development.
>Given that the WIN4K3 software is targeted specifically at Elecraft
>products, then maybe the answer
>is that the K2/P3 combination should be supported anyway, just for WIN4K3
>product completeness.
>It is possible to make a P3 work with a K2.
>
>Cheers
>
>Michael VE3WMB
>
>>From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>
>>Date: August 28, 2013 7:50:38 PM EDT
>>To: <[hidden email]>
>>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>
>
>>Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
>>Bruce, N1RX
>
>> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people would
>> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan) you
>> could pick up a new Flex-1500.
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
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>______________________________________________________________
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Mike Murray-4

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

Robin,

I have the NB installed in my K2 and I elected to use that option to
install the IF buffer. The other option may offer slight improvement in
performance, but I didn't feel it was worthwhile in my case.

I haven't been using it long enough to give you any real feedback. Like
you, I plan to use it primarily for CW and only occasionally for SSB. I
hope to get on the CW test this weekend and see how it performs. From what
I've seen so far, it does make it quite easy to spot openings as well as
strong signals up and down the band.

73,
Mike - W0AG

On Fri, Aug 30, 2013 at 1:30 PM, Robin Bayer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Sir
>
> I was wondering where best to connect to the IF.
> Did you use the NB pins?
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 5:02 PM, Robin Bayer <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hello Sir
>>
>> I am looking for a description of what is required and what I can expect
>> Fromm the Clifton labs IF buffer/amp/filter installation, assembly, and
>> operations. I have little experience with sdr so am looking for pioneers
>> and their experiences.
>>
>> I really only looking to be able to find cw signals more efficiently.
>>
>> Thank you for your consideration and insight.
>>
>> Robin
>> KA5QQA
>> On Aug 29, 2013 2:55 PM, "Mike" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> I just completed adding the Softrock and Clifton Labs buffer to my K2
>>> and it works nicely! Tony does have a crystal available for the SoftRock
>>> Lite II kit so that it works at 4.9152. For about $75 you can have a
>>> decent, but not great, panadapter for a K2.
>>>
>>> Mike - W0AG
>>>
>>> [hidden email] wrote:
>>>
>>> >Wouldn't a Softrock Ensemble II receiver for less than $80, feeding a
>>> >soundcard, and some free SDR software, be a much cheaper but effective
>>> >answer?
>>> >
>>> >The K2 appears to have a 4.9152MHz IF, so using an Ensemble II, with
>>> it's
>>> >Si570 tuned to 4.9152MHz, should work fine. Then, you feed the
>>> Ensemble II
>>> >I/Q outputs to either an internal sound card if stereo, or inexpensive
>>> USB
>>> >sound card (like an iMic?) if not. Rocky, PowerSDR-IF, SDR#, or other
>>> SDR
>>> >software will provide the spectrum display. If an iPad or iPhone, use
>>> iSDR.
>>> >
>>> >I'm not sure if Tony Parks has a rock-bound Softrock that is close
>>> enough to
>>> >the 4.9MHz IF of the K2. If so, that's an even cheaper answer.
>>> >
>>> >I would definitely put a buffer stage like the Clifton Labs mentioned
>>> >earlier, in the rig. Not only does it buffer the IF output of the K2,
>>> it
>>> >also prevents interference getting back into the K2 from the Ensemble or
>>> >Flex 1500 LO. QSD-based receivers are known for generating RF signals
>>> on
>>> >the carrier frequency BACK OUT the antenna port.
>>> >
>>> >Seems like using a Flex 1500 just to provide a QSD-based demod/display
>>> is a
>>> >little like towing a Hummer behind your Suburban in case the Suburban
>>> breaks
>>> >down. And if you ever accidentally transmit on the Flex 1500 back into
>>> the
>>> >K2 - uh-oh. Having a "spare" rig could be handy though.
>>> >73, Terry, WB4JFI
>>> >
>>> >-----Original Message-----
>>> >From: Michael Babineau
>>> >Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:22 AM
>>> >To: [hidden email]
>>> >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>>> >
>>> >Bruce et al :
>>> >
>>> >Using N4PYs RCP (or maybe even DDUTIL) it is possible to slave a
>>> Flex-1500
>>> >off
>>> >of a K2, or other radio, to use it as a Pan Adaptor. So for about the
>>> price
>>> >of just a
>>> >Pan Adaptor (P3 or LP-Pan) you can actually get a Pan Adaptor
>>> (Flex-1500)
>>> >that can also
>>> >be used as a transceiver. I guess that it depends on what you are
>>> looking
>>> >for, but if you can live without the
>>> >K2s full break-in on CW, the Flex-1500 just by itself makes a pretty
>>> >formidable little radio.
>>> >
>>> >The point I was trying to make is that given the base price of the K2,
>>> how
>>> >many people
>>> >are going to want to almost double the price by adding a P3 as
>>> Pan-Adaptor?
>>> >I guess that it depends
>>> >on how "tricked-out" your K2 is. If you already have DSP, KPA100 then
>>> maybe
>>> >it makes some sense.
>>> >I am not saying it is wrong to do so, it is just that there a lots of
>>> other
>>> >Pan Adaptor options, some lower
>>> >cost and others similar cost but offering more flexibility. It really
>>> comes
>>> >down to wants, needs and the users budget.
>>> >
>>> >Personally I looked at this option myself (I love my K2) and decided
>>> that
>>> >the P3 or LP-Pan options
>>> >didn't compute "dollar-wise" for me and if I really wanted SDR, buying
>>> a
>>> >Flex-1500 to go along with my
>>> >K2 works out better for me. (Selling my K2 isn't an option).
>>> >
>>> >So my comment regarding the original post is, before adding support for
>>> the
>>> >K2/P3 to an existing
>>> >control program, the author (Tom VA2FSQ) might want to assess whether
>>> this
>>> >is something that users are
>>> >really going to want to do frequently enough to justify the time and
>>> effort
>>> >for the new software development.
>>> >Given that the WIN4K3 software is targeted specifically at Elecraft
>>> >products, then maybe the answer
>>> >is that the K2/P3 combination should be supported anyway, just for
>>> WIN4K3
>>> >product completeness.
>>> >It is possible to make a P3 work with a K2.
>>> >
>>> >Cheers
>>> >
>>> >Michael VE3WMB
>>> >
>>> >>From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>
>>> >>Date: August 28, 2013 7:50:38 PM EDT
>>> >>To: <[hidden email]>
>>> >>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >>Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
>>> >>Bruce, N1RX
>>> >
>>> >> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people
>>> would
>>> >> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an
>>> LP-Pan) you
>>> >> could pick up a new Flex-1500.
>>> >______________________________________________________________
>>> >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
>>> >
>>> >______________________________________________________________
>>> >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
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>>
>

Mike Murray-4

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

In reply to this post by Mike Murray-4

Robin,

If you do decide to go the SoftRock/Clifton Labs route, be advised that
both are kits containing SMD parts. Not a major obstacle, but you'll
definitely need a good soldering iron with small tip and probably
magnifying lenses to help locate and solder the little buggars! In
addition, the 4.915 crystal for the SoftRock is also an SMD and you'll need
to fabricate a mounting platform for it. Again, not a major problem - I
used a small piece of circuit board and made 4 small pads with a Dremel.

For software you might want to try Rocky first and then PowerSDR-IF. I
currently am having the best luck with Rocky since it's pretty straight
forward to get operational. PowerSDR might be better, but I've not quite
mastered its setup as yet.

73,
Mike - W0AG

On Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 5:02 PM, Robin Bayer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Sir
>
> I am looking for a description of what is required and what I can expect
> Fromm the Clifton labs IF buffer/amp/filter installation, assembly, and
> operations. I have little experience with sdr so am looking for pioneers
> and their experiences.
>
> I really only looking to be able to find cw signals more efficiently.
>
> Thank you for your consideration and insight.
>
> Robin
> KA5QQA
> On Aug 29, 2013 2:55 PM, "Mike" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I just completed adding the Softrock and Clifton Labs buffer to my K2
>> and it works nicely! Tony does have a crystal available for the SoftRock
>> Lite II kit so that it works at 4.9152. For about $75 you can have a
>> decent, but not great, panadapter for a K2.
>>
>> Mike - W0AG
>>
>> [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> >Wouldn't a Softrock Ensemble II receiver for less than $80, feeding a
>> >soundcard, and some free SDR software, be a much cheaper but effective
>> >answer?
>> >
>> >The K2 appears to have a 4.9152MHz IF, so using an Ensemble II, with it's
>> >Si570 tuned to 4.9152MHz, should work fine. Then, you feed the Ensemble
>> II
>> >I/Q outputs to either an internal sound card if stereo, or inexpensive
>> USB
>> >sound card (like an iMic?) if not. Rocky, PowerSDR-IF, SDR#, or other
>> SDR
>> >software will provide the spectrum display. If an iPad or iPhone, use
>> iSDR.
>> >
>> >I'm not sure if Tony Parks has a rock-bound Softrock that is close
>> enough to
>> >the 4.9MHz IF of the K2. If so, that's an even cheaper answer.
>> >
>> >I would definitely put a buffer stage like the Clifton Labs mentioned
>> >earlier, in the rig. Not only does it buffer the IF output of the K2, it
>> >also prevents interference getting back into the K2 from the Ensemble or
>> >Flex 1500 LO. QSD-based receivers are known for generating RF signals on
>> >the carrier frequency BACK OUT the antenna port.
>> >
>> >Seems like using a Flex 1500 just to provide a QSD-based demod/display
>> is a
>> >little like towing a Hummer behind your Suburban in case the Suburban
>> breaks
>> >down. And if you ever accidentally transmit on the Flex 1500 back into
>> the
>> >K2 - uh-oh. Having a "spare" rig could be handy though.
>> >73, Terry, WB4JFI
>> >
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: Michael Babineau
>> >Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:22 AM
>> >To: [hidden email]
>> >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>> >
>> >Bruce et al :
>> >
>> >Using N4PYs RCP (or maybe even DDUTIL) it is possible to slave a
>> Flex-1500
>> >off
>> >of a K2, or other radio, to use it as a Pan Adaptor. So for about the
>> price
>> >of just a
>> >Pan Adaptor (P3 or LP-Pan) you can actually get a Pan Adaptor (Flex-1500)
>> >that can also
>> >be used as a transceiver. I guess that it depends on what you are looking
>> >for, but if you can live without the
>> >K2s full break-in on CW, the Flex-1500 just by itself makes a pretty
>> >formidable little radio.
>> >
>> >The point I was trying to make is that given the base price of the K2,
>> how
>> >many people
>> >are going to want to almost double the price by adding a P3 as
>> Pan-Adaptor?
>> >I guess that it depends
>> >on how "tricked-out" your K2 is. If you already have DSP, KPA100 then
>> maybe
>> >it makes some sense.
>> >I am not saying it is wrong to do so, it is just that there a lots of
>> other
>> >Pan Adaptor options, some lower
>> >cost and others similar cost but offering more flexibility. It really
>> comes
>> >down to wants, needs and the users budget.
>> >
>> >Personally I looked at this option myself (I love my K2) and decided that
>> >the P3 or LP-Pan options
>> >didn't compute "dollar-wise" for me and if I really wanted SDR, buying a
>> >Flex-1500 to go along with my
>> >K2 works out better for me. (Selling my K2 isn't an option).
>> >
>> >So my comment regarding the original post is, before adding support for
>> the
>> >K2/P3 to an existing
>> >control program, the author (Tom VA2FSQ) might want to assess whether
>> this
>> >is something that users are
>> >really going to want to do frequently enough to justify the time and
>> effort
>> >for the new software development.
>> >Given that the WIN4K3 software is targeted specifically at Elecraft
>> >products, then maybe the answer
>> >is that the K2/P3 combination should be supported anyway, just for WIN4K3
>> >product completeness.
>> >It is possible to make a P3 work with a K2.
>> >
>> >Cheers
>> >
>> >Michael VE3WMB
>> >
>> >>From: "Bruce Beford" <[hidden email]>
>> >>Date: August 28, 2013 7:50:38 PM EDT
>> >>To: <[hidden email]>
>> >>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?
>> >
>> >
>> >>Yes, but it would -still- be a Flex-1500, not a K2 with panadapter...
>> >>Bruce, N1RX
>> >
>> >> To get back to the original question, I am not sure how many people
>> would
>> >> want to add a P3 to a K2 ? For the price of the P3 (or even an LP-Pan)
>> you
>> >> could pick up a new Flex-1500.
>> >______________________________________________________________
>> >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
>> >
>> >______________________________________________________________
>> >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
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>

Richard E Neese

Re: Will the K2 and KX3 work with the P3?

all you need for smd is solder paste/glue and you put it down on the
board and lay the SMD and the heat the SMD up and it will ad hear to the
board.

--
R.Neese
KB3VGW

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