RSGB Data AFS 2018

The original plan was to operate with G4BVY from GW0FRE. However he was detained elsewhere so I would have to do it single operator, I decided to use MW2I

As it is a dual band (80/40m) dual mode contest (RTTY/PSK63) I could not just use MMTTY. At his talk on data modes at the Malvern club G4BVY suggested using MMVARI, which I hade never used before. Using it on AFSK you could have one window for RTTY QSOs and one for PSK31 QSOs. With Rogers remote guidance (including a Skype call 10 minutes before the contest!) I managed to get it going

Originally I had intended to use the KPA500/KAT500 at 400/100W output. However during pre-contest testing there were many issues with the switching. Most often with the correct antenna and band selected on recieve, when i went to transmit the amp would change band (sometimes with "Invald" on the KPA500 display) the atu would switch antenna and try to tune it and the KPA500 would fault out.  With time running out a decision had to be made, so i used the K3s barefoot at 100w with its internal ATU and the 2 antenna ports switching between bands

Conditions were poor on 40m, just 6 RTTY (no PSK) qsos into central europe. 80m had a reasonable rate

              PSK        RTTY      Total

80m       52           90           142

40m       0             6              6

Grand Total 148 QSOs

After the contest I investigated the issue further. It was narrowed down to the 15pin to 15pin aux cables supplied by elecraft with the KAT500 and KPA500. One worked fine but the other appeared to have an intermittent short between the band1 pin and the ptt (hence why it changed band when going to transmit).  During the following week I cut apart the molding on the faulty cable and saw how unreliably it was assembled. Although their was a clamp that held the screen, which was doing a reasonable job on the screen, it did absolutely nothing to stop the cables in the bundle moving and rotating. This had happened and the band data lead was wandering around the plug, touching the PTT pin.

I looked at the cost of a replacement cable, but at nearly 50 pounds and the photos not assuring me the cable grip method was any better I decided to make my own

A search of the Farnell website revealed a 15 pin HD metal shroud that had a selection of cable clamps that would grip any cable firmly. They were not cheap (6.52) but I needed reliability.

As the Elecraft aux cable used only 10 cores I found some 10 core+screen cable and made a pair of 1 metre long 15 pin male to female cables; enough for the KAT500 and KPA500. I also made a shorter cable that could be used to connect the KAT500 to the KPA500 when the ATU is sitting on top of the PA,

 I also found my 3 metre 15pin to 15pin all pins connected cable (with moulded plugs), As it had 2 female connectors, i chopped it in half and with two of my newly purchased connectors made a pair of 1.5m male to female leads. These cables are useful when connecting to my K3 switching box which has a possible need for all pins

K3 remotehams software with N1MM

Now being able to control the K3 remotely, I next wanted to integrate It into the N1MM contest software. To do this I would need a virtual com port setup on the client PC that would allow the serial data to be seen from the remote K3. Fortunately the remotehams client software under "options" has  "Elecraft K3 emulation" To install the drivers for this,  one needs to tick the install virtual port when installing the client software, then when that has successfully installed, under "options" "Elecraft K3 emulation" I chose com2 as the port to create under the "create virtual port" tab.. Note the data rate is fixed at 38400bd.


After this was done I chose "com2"  "k3" 38400" under "config" "config ports...." "hardware" in the N1mm software and the remote K3 acted exactly as if it was local


Note this same technique can be used in any software requiring to see the K3 on a serial port. Fldigi, WSPR v2.12 and logger32 have all been successfully tried

Remote Controlling the K3 using remotehams software

When they were first launched I bought a pair of RRC-1258mkIIs remoterig boxes to control my K3 across the Atlantic. They were quite large and needed lots of cables amd 12V. Recently the need to control the K3 resurfaced. Having seen and used the remotehams system at the 2014 Hamcom to control the KG6YPI remote in California from Dallas I decided it was worth investigation

The system requires a windows computer at the K3 end running the server software. At the other end a windows computer is needed running the client software. The computer can either display a radio front panel or drive a K3/0.

The client can also be used to connect to one of the radios around the world listed/registered with remoterigs 

Note in the list of rigs above the variety of rigs available. The software supports other rigs than elecraft. I used the KG6YPI (the software writer)  remote again to get familiar with the client software.


Next I installed the server software. For this I used an Acer V5 laptop. Audio connections to the K3 were made using the LIN IN/OUT on the back of the K3 using the method of my writeup along with a serial connection to the K3 serial port. The audio and rig settings under <options> on the server were adjusted appriately adjusted.  The 4 ports mentioned in the server documentation were opened and the server launched. Even though I allowed Upnp on my router the server software never found/used it.

Using my Dell laptop, I launched the client software and saw my server on the list at remotehams.com. This list saves the current internet details of the server, data between server and client is not sent through this location. Doubleclicking my server Launched the radio front panel. Using the <skins>  tab I choose the k3 skin which gave me an authentic looking K3 front panel:-

The received audio came out of the Dell laptop.The rig could be tuned band changed and, as I had given myself transmit priveleges I could also transmit.

Three discoveries I made early on:-
1. Under >publishing> on the server if "visible on remotehams.com" is unclicked the server will not appear on the list of available servers on everyones list. If you have a fixed ip this information can be entered under <file> <new connection> allowing a connection to be made more easily.
2. The volume control is at the top of the screen for the client. If the volume on the client K3 front panel is used the volume of the remote K3 is increased which may be a surprise to anyone nearby. For this reason in my server  settings the main and sub volume sliders excluded by being viewed in the client
3. By default the power on/off button is shown on the client.  The K3 can be turned off by this button but without extra hardware it cannot be turned back on. For this reason in my server settings the"power" button is prevented from being displayed on the client

Seperate Receive and transmit paths for the Elecraft K3 Internal K144XV Transverter

When using the Internal K144XV  2m transverter in my Elecraft K3, it has a single BNC connector on the back panel for receive and transmit signals. Having obtained an HA8ET 2m mast head preamp I needed to separate the two signal paths to avoid putting RF up the back of the preamp.

Elecraft in the past have said it is possible to connect a separate RX antenna to transverter but nothing has ever been documented! The only clues have been the comment  in the K144XV manual about not removing links P2 and P3 inside the transverter. Time to investigate!

I took the cover off the K3 and the K144XV transverter and found that if the link between pins 1 and 2 of P3 was removed the receiver went deaf.  Pin 3 was ground.  I connected a coax cable with centre conductor to pin 2 and the braid to pin 3 the GB3VHF beacon could be heard on my collinear. The radio still produced the normal 9W out of the BNC connector on the back panel.
I did not want to solder to the header so I found a 3 pin female header (previously used for arduino shields) and soldered a piece of RG174 with a BNC socket on the other end, which hung out of the back of the lid panel. I did look at tidying up the cabling by using the AUX RX BNC connector but this would mean taking the K3 apart and removing the sub receiver every time I wanted to change between internal and external 2m antenna switching.
For reference P2 link allows the Receive IF output to be diverted from going to the KXV3A module. P8 link enables the DC voltage on transmit on the centre pin of the Transmit port.


I have written up the "Seperate  Receive and transmit paths for the Elecraft K3  Internal K144XV Transverter" modifications with pictures at http://g4fre.com/kx144_split.htm

Hamcom 2013

June brings the annual Hamcom hamfest to Dallas, which as always clashed with the ARRL June VHF contest.

As in the last three years I volunteered to help man the Elecraft Booth, but this year there was a change as Eric WA6HHQ and wife would not be attending, but I would get to work with Lisa, who I had spoken to a lot while placing orders over the phone, Dave  and Bob K6XX who I had spoken to but never met.

The trade show exhibitors this year started earlier at 0800 and officially closed at 1800, making a long day. Lots of questions, the most popular being "When can i get the KXPA100 100W PA for the KX3" , which was on display. The other new Elecraft item for me was the K3/0 mini, which is a remote front panel for remoting the K3 in a just sufficient box; you wont need to carry a full size k3 box in future. Bob was remoting his HF station in California using one, which worked as well as the Plano conference centre's wired internet would allow (horrible latency/reliability). The ISDR app for the Ipad to produce a panadaptor display (demonstrated by Eric at last years Hamcom) for the KX3 also generated a lot of interest, but a lot wanted an Android app!

I did see a useful  aftermarket product for the KX3 which was an extended pair of sidepanels and a perspex cover to protect the front panel knobs on the KX3. http://gemsproducts.com/covers.html So useful i ordered a set Sunday morning

The outside flea market wasnt too exciting, but i did get a GPS board with CDMA modem assembly for $1. The Inside Fleamarket produced a couple of the HP 12V 47A PSU (like i used to power my 100W 3400MHz PA) for $20 each and a Flexible solar panel. I also discovered that Buddipole now have a "knurled whip sleeve" to put over the telescopic whips with the 1/4-20 thread (as I use on my PAC-12 HF antenna) to stop the whip assembly wobbling in its ferrule, so I ordered a few

I did get to meet John Langridge. KB5NJD who also operates on LF as WG2XIQ, a station i hear often on 474.2kHz. Unfortunately I could not get to his talk, but I did persuade him to email me his Powerpoint which made for interesting reading.

KAT500 In motion

Thanks to W5LUA I got to borrow his FT847 to try out the KAT500 with 100W drive. The FT847 cannot provide band data for the KAT500 but as it measures the incoming RF frequency it should be able to work out what band the FT847 is transmitting on

Firstly I tried it on my HF6v vertical which is resonant on 80/40/30/20/50/10m. On 80m,  the vertical , who's bandwidth is low is resonant on 3560kHz  but the KAT500 gave a good match up to 3800kHz. The KAT500 also managed to match the vertical on 17m and 12m.

The ATU is quite noisy while tuning as relays are switched in and out. Tuning is normally achieved in under 5 seconds

Secondly I tried it on my Alpha Delta DX-EE antenna which covers 160/80/40/30. It is very narrow bandwidth on the lower two bands but the ATU managed a match over a wide bandwidth. It also managed to match the antenna  on 20/17/15/12/10

The ATU needed around 9W for it to reliably autotune.

KAT500 Built

Finally got round to building the KAT500 I ordered last May, delivered at the end of December

Basically it took an hour to bolt it together, with no real issues
Just need to find an exciter that gives more than 10W to try it out.

KX3 HF Band Decoder

Having had a KX3 for nearly 6 months now, the biggest handicap has been the lack of band outputs to switch external equipment (eg LPF in external PA, antennas etc).  These are standard on the K3 but are missed on the KX3. So Today I finished rewriting and testing the code for my RS232 Transverter driver to accomplish this. The writeup is at http://g4fre.com/KX3_RS232_hf.htm

K3 RS232 Band decoder

Having been disappointed with the ability of my K3 to readily provide outputs to switch VHF/UHF transverters I decided I needed a solution.

Initially I used some logic ICs to decode the band data on the rear panel ACC connector,  but having to reconfigure the interface every time I added or deleted a band was a right pain.  This was described at http://g4fre.com/k3vhf.pdf

Next I decided to use a PIC to do the decoding as it was easier to reprogramme a PIC chip than it was to redo the logic circuits. This decoded just 4 bands as it was intended for 4 bands HF, 6m, 2m and 70cm. This was described at http://g4fre.com/K3_PTT_sw.htm

Next I designed a circuit to decode the RS232 signals also available from the back panel. This looks at the 38400 Baud RS232 data and provides a 1 of 8 band output and a corresponding 1 of 8 PTT signal. It was designed for the 8 bands 144,432,23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm 3cm and 1.2cm. This was written up at http://g4fre.com/K3_RS232_sw.htm . This worked fine for my station in the USA.  However I received a request to make it decode the 8 bands  4m, 2m 70cm, 23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm and 3cm for use in the UK. So today I modified the code and tested it out and it works fine. This version is at http://g4fre.com/K3_RS232_UK.htm

I also tested it out on my Elecraft KX3. It worked fine, all we need now is for Wayne to write the software to support transverter mode in the KX3

For the want of a KXBC3

Initial testing of the KX3 was using a set of 2300mAH NiMH cells I bought off amazon.com when i placed my KX3 order. Eventually they discharged forcing the KX3 to power down, (even after setting Vmin from the default 11V to the recommended 8.5V) but as the KXBC3 internal charger wont be available for a couple of months I needed an immediate solution. Looking on ebay I found an 8 cell NiMH charger for $20 shipped that would suit the purpose. I made sure it could accommodate 110 and 230V mains. Today it arrived so I can now again use the KX3 in a truly portable manner

Today is KX3 Construction day!

 The build started at 1015am after turning on the coffee pot.

Assistants ready for action

Front Panel Installed

Battery Shield Installed

Quality Audit #1

Double Supervision

Install ATU

Insert Roofing Filter

Battery container Installed

Insert Batteries

Very Happy Bear

Final Q.A. Inspection

Finished 1215, (including a coffee break). First QSO on 20m at 1330 after KX3 calibration and my Lunch!

KX3 Finally here

The KX3 ordered on 12/28/2011 at 10:33:00PT arrived this afternoon. I got the despatch notification 21 June saying UPS would deliver the package on 27 June. I was therefore surprised to find the package on the doorstep when I returned from the NTMS Tuesday lunchtime BBQ.


It will be a new challenge for Carol who has only previously built three Elecraft K3 

Happy Bear

Visit to Hamcom 2012

Just returned from the annual Hamcom Hamfest which was held in Plano, Texas.  As usual it was hot and clashed with the ARRL 50MHz to Light Contest

Elecraft were in attendance showing the recently released KX3 transceiver. They were currently still sending out kit radios ordered on the day that orders started being taken. Unfortunately mine was ordered on the 2nd day!

One interesting demonstration was using the I/Q data supplied by the KX3 to drive an IPAD to produce a panadaptor display using the ISDR app. As the 3.5mm audio input to an IPAD is mono and the I/Q requires a stereo input it cannot be used. This was overcome by using the I-MIC interface connected to the IPADs 30 pin connector via the IPADs USB camera adaptor

Unfortunately the ISDR software doesnt track the mode and frequency that the KX3 is tuned to.  However there is an app called HAMLOG which can track the frequency, but it currently doesnt interface to ISDR. The issue of how to connect the RS232 output from the KX3 to the IPAD which doesnt have an RS232 connector is solved by a device called a Pigtail available from Pignology LLC. This is an RS232 to WIFI converter which allows the IPAD to see the KX3 device. All I need now is the KX3 to arrive to try it out!

I also got to see the new Elecraft KAT500 500W Auto ATU which was smaller than I visualised. It only has the same footprint as the K3. It will be available from August.

I did finally give in and ordered the RemoterigII pair to allow me to remotely control one K3 with another K3 over the Internet without a computer. Sufficient RJ45 cables were found at the Hamfest to make the necessary interface cables.

To help the construction of a 472kHz bandpass filter for my 10MHz to 472kHz Transverter the opportunity was taken to stock up on a range of silver mica capacitors  on one of the outside stalls. The only other purchases were a speaker/mic for my IPAQ and an active GPS antenna for $5 each