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k3 and n1mm comm problem

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Joe Ford-2

k3 and n1mm comm problem

I am trying to help a friend configure n1mm to work with his k3. My k3 works fine with n1mm from both my desktop and laptop. They both use a serial db9 to db9 connection. My friends laptop has no serial connection. We are using the KUSB with drivers downloaded from the link on Elecraft's software page. Using the same config I use for my pc/k3 (Off-DTR &4800b in the k3 and 4800,n,8,1; dtr=cw rts=off) when we start n1mm we get errors from n1mm such as EntryWindow (CommPort Dev_OnComm-6). Also intermittently we can connect and read to rig info. But mostly we don't seem to connect. I got the comm port nr from Device mgr.

What are we doing wrong?

Joe
k4nvj
k3#241

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: k3 and n1mm comm problem

Joe,

I am not certain what you are dong wrong (if anything). If it is
intelligent and lucid for even brief moments, you likely have things
correct, but you are getting data corruption somewhere.

Try increasing the data speed. Many USB to serial adapters work fine at
high speeds, but will fail at lower speeds like 4800 bps. I know that
is not 'intuitive', but it is 'just the way it is'.

73,
Don W3FPR

Joe Ford wrote:

> I am trying to help a friend configure n1mm to work with his k3. My k3 works fine with n1mm from both my desktop and laptop. They both use a serial db9 to db9 connection. My friends laptop has no serial connection. We are using the KUSB with drivers downloaded from the link on Elecraft's software page. Using the same config I use for my pc/k3 (Off-DTR &4800b in the k3 and 4800,n,8,1; dtr=cw rts=off) when we start n1mm we get errors from n1mm such as EntryWindow (CommPort Dev_OnComm-6). Also intermittently we can connect and read to rig info. But mostly we don't seem to connect. I got the comm port nr from Device mgr.
>
> What are we doing wrong?
>
> Joe
> k4nvj
> k3#241
>
>
>
>
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Richard Ferch

Re: k3 and n1mm comm problem

In reply to this post by Joe Ford-2

Recent versions of N1MM Logger seem to have problems with serial port CW
keying via the K3's radio control port, at least when that port is a USB
adapter. Try setting DTR and RTS both to Always Off and unchecking the
CW/Other box beside the port in the N1MM Configurer to see if that gets
your radio control working.

You might also try different speeds. The USB adapter may work better at
higher speeds. I use 38400 baud with a Prolific adapter with no
problems, provided I don't try to do radio control and CW keying on the
same port (either one alone works fine, but trying both together
produces very similar symptoms to the ones you describe).

If this solves the connection problem, you may have to consider using a
second USB port for CW, in which case the optimal solution would
probably be a WKUSB.

73,
Rich VE3KI
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Julian, G4ILO

Re: k3 and n1mm comm problem

Try getting an adapter with an FTDI chipset. I can't guarantee that it will solve the problem, but it did solve all the problems I have experienced with Prolific chipset adapters, and one distributor of USB devices states that the FTDI adapters are more reliable than the Prolific adapters.

Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

list1

Tune Up of ALS-600

In reply to this post by Joe Ford-2

Hi All,
I have studied both manuals. I think I know how to tune up the ALS-600 for
CW, but not sure of how to do it with SSB especially with external ALC.

I would like to get about 500 Watts out with SSB for my MARS work.

It seems I need to set the ALC to just kick in at about maximum power. I
think it is good to use the ALC feature since K3 users have mentioned power
spikes out of the K3 at times, (although I think others on this list have
said to stay away from the ALC, but I can't find the emails). The question
I have is how to determine the K3 drive necessary to get the 500 Watts out
of the ALS-600? I don't think whistling is a good procedure, but maybe it
is.

I am thinking that the ALC concern with many here is that it is sometimes
used to greatly reduce the drive coming out of the exciter to give a lot of
voice compression, and if the ALC should fail, full exciter power may go to
the amp. Like setting the K3 to 100 Watts out and using the external ALC to
really limit it to 50 Watts.

I am happy with the small amount of speech compression I have set on the K3
so I don't want to use the ALC for that.

Any comments are appreciated.

Steve, W2MY, AAR6CX
Corpus Christi, TX

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Phil Salas

Re: Tune Up of ALS-600

When you set the ALC on CW, this also sets the ALC for your peak SSB power.
And you're right - you should adjust the ALC so it just comes on with the
drive necessary to get your desired output.

That being said, I don't use ALC. My ALS-600 needs about 65 watts to drive
it to full output. Rather than mess with adjusting the drive and/or
connecting up ALC, I place a relay-switched 2dB attenuator in-line with the
amplifier. The attenuator automatically goes in-line when I turn on the
amplifier so I can just leave my K3 set for 100 watts all the time. The
attenuator is inexpensive and easy to make, and works great. Any full power
transmit spikes related to a transceiver's ALC not acting fast enough on the
first dit or speech peak will obviously not be there as the transceiver
output is already at full power. This attenuator is described in the
"Articles" section of my website at ww.ad5x.com.

Phil - AD5X

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Tune Up of ALS-600

> Rather than mess with adjusting the drive and/or connecting
> up ALC, I place a relay-switched 2dB attenuator in-line with
> the amplifier. The attenuator automatically goes in-line
> when I turn on the amplifier so I can just leave my K3 set
> for 100 watts all the time. The attenuator is inexpensive
> and easy to make, and works great.

Instead of an external attenuator which can degrade receive
performance, particularly on six and 10 meters under current
conditions, one would be better advised to build an attenuator
into the amplifier. Such an attenuator could be put on the
amplifier side of the T/R relay so it was automatically bypassed
when the amplifier is turned, in stand-by, or in receive.

In addition, a less complex/less expensive L-pad may be used
inside the amplifier.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil &
> Debbie Salas
> Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 7:20 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Tune Up of ALS-600
>
>
> When you set the ALC on CW, this also sets the ALC for your
> peak SSB power.
> And you're right - you should adjust the ALC so it just comes
> on with the
> drive necessary to get your desired output.
>
> That being said, I don't use ALC. My ALS-600 needs about 65
> watts to drive
> it to full output. Rather than mess with adjusting the drive and/or
> connecting up ALC, I place a relay-switched 2dB attenuator
> in-line with the
> amplifier. The attenuator automatically goes in-line when I
> turn on the
> amplifier so I can just leave my K3 set for 100 watts all the
> time. The
> attenuator is inexpensive and easy to make, and works great.
> Any full power
> transmit spikes related to a transceiver's ALC not acting
> fast enough on the
> first dit or speech peak will obviously not be there as the
> transceiver
> output is already at full power. This attenuator is described in the
> "Articles" section of my website at ww.ad5x.com.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Phil Salas

Re: Tune Up of ALS-600

"...one would be better advised to build an attenuator into the
amplifier..."

I did consider incorporating the attenuator inside the ALS-600 (not an issue
on 6-meters as the ALS-600 is 160-10 meters only). But there is
surprisingly little room inside the amp for the attenuator where it is
needed. Not impossible to do, but not that easy to implement. And I
decided that a 2dB degradation of MDS wasn't a big deal for me.

Phil - AD5X

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Tune Up of ALS-600

> And I decided that a 2dB degradation of MDS wasn't a big deal
> for me.

It may not be a big deal if you don't consider 6 meters. However,
given the crying and gnashing of teeth here on the list about six
meter MDS prior to the PR6, there are obviously those for whom
every dB is golden at VHF and near VHF frequencies.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil &
> Debbie Salas
> Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 12:57 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Tune Up of ALS-600
>
>
> "...one would be better advised to build an attenuator into the
> amplifier..."
>
> I did consider incorporating the attenuator inside the
> ALS-600 (not an issue
> on 6-meters as the ALS-600 is 160-10 meters only). But there is
> surprisingly little room inside the amp for the attenuator
> where it is
> needed. Not impossible to do, but not that easy to implement. And I
> decided that a 2dB degradation of MDS wasn't a big deal for me.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html