T/R Switching
Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC
As a recent joiner of 4SQRP, I'm looking forward to getting back into building my own stuff. The NS-40 seems to be a popular and well designed rig, and my plan is to use my FT-857 for the RX side. Otherwise, the 857 is my day-to-day rig, and I have to protect it. (For QRP use, I drop the drive down and measure the output on an external wattmeter.)
So here's a newbie query from an old time ham (me!) who should know the answer but doesn't: What is everyone else who uses separate TX and RX units doing to mute their RXs when the TXs are doing their thing? A rule of thumb was given me a few days ago that there must be at least 40 dB attenuation to protect the RX front end, but that's also going to depend on what the TX power is to start with.
My old Hallicrafters RXs could handle a bit of a pop at QRP levels when I did manual switching. I'm a bit leery however about subjecting the "newfangled" 857 to similar treatment. I never had a Dow key which would've done nicely for the boat anchors, but - assuming I could put my hands on one - would a Dow key with its mechanical relay have fast enough response time to protect the 857's front end?
What other alternatives are currently in play?
Tks/73,
Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC
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New SOTA USA W0M-Missouri Summit Activation Today
Bill Gerth
Larry, N0SA, will be activating Bell Mountain in southeast Missouri this morning. This will be the 5th activation of a different, new Missouri summit since the startup of the Missouri Association in SOTA two weeks ago. Larry plans to start on 7.032 MHz CW at 1700 UTC. If you're interested, this will be a new unique summit for SOTA awards and is worth 6 points.
Check out the details at "www.sotawatch.org" and look for an activation report later on "www.mosota.org"
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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon
* On 2013 13 Feb 05:19 -0600, Jim Sheldon wrote:
Hope this answers the questions I've gotten off list so far.You're optimistic! 73, de Nate >> -- "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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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon
From the emails I've been getting off list, some of you didn't completely read my post referencing Terry's stating that Elecraft will have a presence at OzarkCon.
There will be no Elecraft employees there, only a couple of volunteers (myself and Joe, N5LXW who is from Newton, KS) bringing and demonstrating our own personal Elecraft equipment. There have been several other very welcome offers to bring other Elecraft equipment that Joe and I don't own to put on display such as the K1, KX1, K2, the T1 QRP auto tuner and various other of Elecraft's "mini-modules" that make building and aligning QRP kits (and other rigs as well) much better.
In this case, Elecraft having a "presence" will consist of them "sponsoring" our volunteer effort by sending me their "logo" banner to grace the table(s) and tons of handout literature. Joe and I will be there to answer questions and show off the capabilities of the equipment. I plan on having the KX3 live, on the air operating in at least CW, RTTY, PSK31 and SSB. It's capable of AM and FM as well.
Hope this answers the questions I've gotten off list so far.
Jim - W0EB
4SQRP #44
FP#-616
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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon!
Stephen Farthing
Jim, and other list members,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
A few years back Jan, G0BBL, Alan M0PUB and I took the trip to Ozarkcon from England. We had made a couple of trips to Dayton for FDIM and Pacificon these being to big ones but I must admit Ozarkicon has a special place in my heart as the one event in the USA I would like to come back to. It is small enough to get to meet everyone and have a chat, everyone is incredibly friendly and the location is super. So if anyone is thinking "maybe I should go" don't hesitate, book it now. The fact that Elecraft there is a significant plus!
One memory that sticks with me is the evening meal, there were two choices, beef of chicken. The beef was running low so I chose the chicken. I sat down next to a ham I did not know and said "This chicken is really nice". He replied "That aint chicken boy, it's catfish". Boy did I feel stupid!
73s from a cold and wet England, Steve G0XAR
On 13 February 2013 01:57, Jim Sheldon <w0eb@...> wrote:
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I'm here too!
Darwin Piatt
We are bringing a crowd with us come April.
See everyone then. Dar.. W9HZC - Nebraska
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Re: Test
Scotty Long <nu0s@...>
very good wish I could make it to Ozarkcon this year.
72/Scotty/NU0S
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
Johnny Matlock wrote: You got it Scotty!
On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 8:12 PM, Scotty Long
<nu0s@...> wrote:
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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon!
Hi David,
Not just the K3 but the KX3 QRP rig as well. Your K1 and T1 would be welcome additions to the show. Yes just our own equipment will be on display -
Thanks
Jim
> Jim,
> It sounds like you all will be displaying your own equipment ??? Is
> that right ?
>
> It also sounds like the only thing to be on display will be a
> couple of flavors of K3.
>
> I have a K1 with 4 band card and internal automatic tuner &
> internal battery pack, and a T1 QRP tuner if you would be
> interested to display them for people to see also ??
>
>
> On 02/12/2013 07:57 PM, Jim Sheldon wrote:
>> 4 Staters,
>> As Terry said, myself and most likely N5LXW will have Elecraft
>> equipment there for demonstration. We're not Elecraft employees,
>> simply volunteering to demo our personal equipment and since we
>> aren't employees, will not be able to take orders if anyone
>> wanted to purchase something. Sales literature with price lists
>> will be available for handout and anyone wanting to order
>> something can easily do so over the internet with a laptop,
>> tablet or smart phone. Equipment currently planned for the demo's
>> will be the QRP KX3, the K3 (can be turned down to 100
>> milliwatts), the P3 panadapter, the XG3 synthesized signal
>> generator. Also will have the Pignology "Pigtail" wi-fi remote
>> RS-232 interface between the KX3 and my iPad4 for control and
>> logging. If N5LXW doesn't get hammered by his employer (he's the
>> IT rep for a very major medical imaging firm) and called away
>> that weekend, he's planning on assisting me with his K3 and P3 as
>> well. We'll both have portable (PAC-12 or derivative) antennas.
>> We both have the newest firmware in the P3 Panadapter/Spectrum
>> Analyzer to allow for use of an external monitor (I'll have one
>> there) to display the spectrum along with the text from the
>> CW/RTTY/PSK31 decoder in the K3. I have a wireless keyboard
>> interfaced to my P3 to allow for CW, RTTY and PSK31 transmit from
>> the keyboard without the need for a computer using the optional
>> SVGA interface in the P3. The KX3 can also send and receive RTTY
>> and PSK31 by using the built in CW keyer. The radio translates
>> your paddle inputs to either RTTY or PSK31 depending on mode
>> selected and displays the decoded signals on the main LCD or, in
>> the case of the Pignology company's "Pigtail" interface and a
>> smart phone or iPad, CW, RTTY and PSK31 can be sent and received
>> using the iPad's on screen keyboard or an external bluetooth
>> keyboard. (Both will be demonstrated). The XG3 synthesized
>> signal generator is factory calibrated to output precision signal
>> levels of 1 microvolt (-107 dBm), 50 microvolts (-73 dBm), -33
>> dBm and 0 dBm. There is a preset frequency on each band, 160
>> through 2 meters programmed into it as it comes from the factory.
>> There is a free utility program available on Elecraft's website
>> that allows complete programming of the XG3 through an RS-232
>> interface. It also has some neat features made available through
>> the firmware programmers ingenuity. It has 2 on board memories
>> that can be programmed for multiple timed and output level
>> functions. Memory 1 has the ability to transmit a short message
>> in 45 baud (60WPM) RTTY or if you like, in CW at any speed from 5
>> to 99 wpm. Commands to set frequency, power level (within the 4
>> calibrated levels), number of repeats, etc can be programmed into
>> Mem 1 via the computer interface. Runs on a 9 volt battery and
>> fits in a shirt pocket.
>> Make sure you come to OzarkCon 2013 if you'd like some hands-on
>> time with newest additions to the Elecraft line of equipment.
>> Antennas will be connected and if it's possible to get and
>> radiate a signal from within the room set up for the Vendor /
>> Flea Market exhibits, live, on-the-air demo's will be ongoing.
>> Jim Sheldon - W0EB 4SQRP #44
>>
>>>
>>> Elecraft will have a presence at OzarkCon this year!
>>>
>>> Jim Sheldon W0EB and another rep will have 2 tables set up with
>>> lots of equipment. They won't actually taking orders, but
>>> will demonstrate some of the equipment, answer questions and
>>> hand out sales literature. However if you, or the guy standing
>>> next to you, has a smartphone you can place an order right from
>>> the tables via the internet.
>>>
>>> Another good reason to come to OzarkCon on April 5 and 6. Cu
>>> there!
>>>
>>> 72 Terry WAØITP
>
>
> --
> *David Martin - K5DCM ---o0o---
> Mountain Home, Arkansas*
> Guns don't kill people, any more than spoons & forks cause obesity.
> Liberals want "Freedom of Choice" for Abortion (to kill a baby),
> but would deny us the same "Freedom of Choice" to defend ourselves.
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> 4SQRP Website: http://4sqrp.com
> OzarkCon is coming April 5-6 in Branson, MO
> View Details at http://www.ozarkcon.com/index.phpYahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
> <*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
>
> <*> To change settings online go to:
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> <*> To change settings via email:
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>
> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: 4sqrp-
> unsubscribe@...
>
> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
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Re: Test
You got it Scotty!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
72 Johnny AC0BQ
On Tue, Feb 12, 2013 at 8:12 PM, Scotty Long <nu0s@...> wrote:
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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon!
davemrtn
Jim,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
It sounds like you all will be displaying your own equipment ??? Is that right ? It also sounds like the only thing to be on display will be a couple of flavors of K3. I have a K1 with 4 band card and internal automatic tuner & internal battery pack, and a T1 QRP tuner if you would be interested to display them for people to see also ??
On 02/12/2013 07:57 PM, Jim Sheldon wrote:
4 Staters, --
*David Martin - K5DCM ---o0o--- Mountain Home, Arkansas* Guns don't kill people, any more than spoons & forks cause obesity. Liberals want "Freedom of Choice" for Abortion (to kill a baby), but would deny us the same "Freedom of Choice" to defend ourselves.
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Test
Scotty Long <nu0s@...>
test e mail hope this one works...
Scotty/NU0S/4SQRP
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Re: Elecraft at OzarkCon!
4 Staters,
As Terry said, myself and most likely N5LXW will have Elecraft equipment there for demonstration. We're not Elecraft employees, simply volunteering to demo our personal equipment and since we aren't employees, will not be able to take orders if anyone wanted to purchase something. Sales literature with price lists will be available for handout and anyone wanting to order something can easily do so over the internet with a laptop, tablet or smart phone.
Equipment currently planned for the demo's will be the QRP KX3, the K3 (can be turned down to 100 milliwatts), the P3 panadapter, the XG3 synthesized signal generator. Also will have the Pignology "Pigtail" wi-fi remote RS-232 interface between the KX3 and my iPad4 for control and logging. If N5LXW doesn't get hammered by his employer (he's the IT rep for a very major medical imaging firm) and called away that weekend, he's planning on assisting me with his K3 and P3 as well. We'll both have portable (PAC-12 or derivative) antennas.
We both have the newest firmware in the P3 Panadapter/Spectrum Analyzer to allow for use of an external monitor (I'll have one there) to display the spectrum along with the text from the CW/RTTY/PSK31 decoder in the K3. I have a wireless keyboard interfaced to my P3 to allow for CW, RTTY and PSK31 transmit from the keyboard without the need for a computer using the optional SVGA interface in the P3.
The KX3 can also send and receive RTTY and PSK31 by using the built in CW keyer. The radio translates your paddle inputs to either RTTY or PSK31 depending on mode selected and displays the decoded signals on the main LCD or, in the case of the Pignology company's "Pigtail" interface and a smart phone or iPad, CW, RTTY and PSK31 can be sent and received using the iPad's on screen keyboard or an external bluetooth keyboard. (Both will be demonstrated). The XG3 synthesized signal generator is factory calibrated to output precision signal levels of 1 microvolt (-107 dBm), 50 microvolts (-73 dBm), -33 dBm and 0 dBm. There is a preset frequency on each band, 160 through 2 meters programmed into it as it comes from the factory. There is a free utility program available on Elecraft's website that allows complete programming of the XG3 through an RS-232 interface. It also has some neat features made available through the firmware programmers ingenuity. It has 2 on board memories that can be programmed for multiple timed and output level functions. Memory 1 has the ability to transmit a short message in 45 baud (60WPM) RTTY or if you like, in CW at any speed from 5 to 99 wpm. Commands to set frequency, power level (within the 4 calibrated levels), number of repeats, etc can be programmed into Mem 1 via the computer interface. Runs on a 9 volt battery and fits in a shirt pocket.
Make sure you come to OzarkCon 2013 if you'd like some hands-on time with newest additions to the Elecraft line of equipment. Antennas will be connected and if it's possible to get and radiate a signal from within the room set up for the Vendor / Flea Market exhibits, live, on-the-air demo's will be ongoing.
Jim Sheldon - W0EB
4SQRP #44
>
> Elecraft will have a presence at OzarkCon this year!
>
> Jim Sheldon W0EB and another rep will have 2 tables set up with
> lots of equipment. They won't actually taking orders, but will
> demonstrate some of the equipment, answer questions and hand out
> sales literature. However if you, or the guy standing next to you,
> has a smartphone you can place an order right from the tables via
> the internet.
>
> Another good reason to come to OzarkCon on April 5 and 6. Cu there!
>
> 72 Terry WAØITP
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Check in
Ge group:
Looks like I made the cut over! Thanks Don for all of you efforts to keep our QRP chatter moving, I am sure yahoo will be ok for us, works well with several other groups! 72 Johnny AC0BQ
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Re: Change Made
I'm here.
Looking forward to Ozarkcon. I'm really excited. I'm sure you'll have to lock down this list. Yahoo lists are routinely spammed and cross posted with spam. But that's okay. Every list will get spammed. There is no such thing as a spam free list. It's nice to have the file and photo repository. 73 Dan -- KB9JLO
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Re: Change Made
John Taylor <k0qh@...>
Made the change also. Long time Yahoo user and don't have any bad stories to relate. I also think it will be a big help to be able to post pictures etc. to the group. Tnx for the change. PB #174 SLQS 4SQRP www.stgdxcc.webs.com
From: w5cov To: 4sqrp@... Sent: Tue, February 12, 2013 5:37:16 PM Subject: [4sqrp] Change Made Made the change and I have owned and used Yahoo groups for years and don't have even one horror story to share .
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Yaaaa-hoooo! WA5BDU is QRV
Nick-WA5BDU
I think. This is a test message.
Count me as another "don't care" regarding the switch. I'm in 34 Yahoo groups. None have tried to steal my soul or sell my kidneys yet, to my knowledge. I don't get an abundance of spam, but that's probably just because Gmail and Suddenlink have really good spam filters. Back to haywiring a DDS onto my HW-16. 72- Nick, WA5BDU
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Re: Change Made
W0IIT
Don,
Let me add my thanks to you for your years of dedicated service to the club!! Like others, Yahoo has served me for years with nary a problem and I look forward to the list being on Yahoo!!!! cu es 72, Bart W0IIT Pittsburg, KS
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Change Made
Made the change and I have owned and used Yahoo groups for years and don't have even one horror story to share .
I like the ability to be able to post photos . THANKS DON !! Charlie , W5COV LowFER Beacon , CV , 185.298.4 kHz , QRSS60 , 24/7 , EM26ex
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"reply to sender"
Sam Binkley <zut1369@...>
Sorry for not paying attention to the "To:" line. Will have to get used to the yahoo protocol. 72, Sam, AL7V
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John / W5CYF checking in
Testing to see if request to join was successful.
73 John/W5CYF
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