+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 13:01:28 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: [Elecraft] New Elecraft product: EC1 project enclosure We've had many requests for a custom enclosure the same size and color as the K1 transceiver. We're pleased to announce that this product, the EC1, is now available. For ordering information, see http://www.elecraft.com/EC1.htm (first shipments of the EC1 will be on 12/10). Like the larger EC2, the EC1 (size: 2.2"H x 5.2"W x 5.6"D) uses our versatile, multi-panel construction. Any of the five chassis elements can be quickly removed to facilitate drilling or cutting, or to provide access to interior components. The kit also includes 8 of our unique 2-D fasteners. These fasteners provide several ways to ruggedly mount printed circuit boards or other hardware, and we supply extra screws for this purpose. The 2-D fasteners have excellent thread depth (1/4") and are much more durable than tapped holes in sheet metal. The EC1 can add a professional touch to your next project--antenna tuner, power supply, station control console, audio filter, etc.--whether stand-alone or as a companion to the K1. The EC1 includes four rubber feet, but can also be used with the KTS1 wide-range tilt stand if you need to optimize front-panel viewing angle. Please send us photos (digital or film) of your projects that use the EC1 for our web photo gallery. (Send photos to: eric at elecraft.com.) 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ +++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 17:52:34 -0800 (PST) From: Jessie Oberreuter Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft product: EC1 project enclosure On Wed, 7 Nov 2001, Phil Wheeler wrote: > OK, all you requesters: What are some good ideas of what to put in an > EC1? I'm trying to justify ordering one :-; Speaker, PS, amp, tuner, transverter, 4ah battery + charge controller, antenna switch, matching 10m or 80m xcvr or transverter, matching accessory box for antenna, key, batteries, pencil, and notepad? Ki7el ran his K1 all field day off a 4ah battery and a solar panel. +++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 20:13:40 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: [Elecraft] Re: New Elecraft product: EC1 project enclosure Phil wrote: > OK, all you requesters: What are some good ideas of what to put in an > EC1? I'm trying to justify ordering one :-; NO problem, Phil. I'm completely indifferent on this topic, of course (!), but here are a few ideas. Operating accessories: - - multi-outlet 12VDC power distribution box with V/I meter - - UHF band (Part 15) wireless headset/mic interface (so you can carry on SSB QSOs hands free while doing other things) - - PSK31/RTTY/Morse reader w/multi-line LCD text display (self-contained, no PC needed) - - digital voice recorder Antenna stuff: - - antenna switch with multiple jacks and RS232 control - - antenna rotator control box Test gear: - - variable-voltage lab power supply - - 1-120 dB switched attenuator w/RS-232 control & in/out metering - - freq counter - - RF sig gen/receiver test box - - accurate L/C/R/Q meter - - scope spectrum analyzer adapter (W7ZOI) HF gear: - - SWL RX - - phasing-type DC RX - - single-band class-E amplifier (for CW; 90%+ efficient) ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 18:45:08 -0800 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] EC1 Picture, Now in stock We've just updated the EC1 project enclosure web page with a picture of the EC1. See: http://www.elecraft.com/EC1.htm We have received the sheet metal for the EC1s early and will begin shipping them next week. 73, Eric WA6HHQ ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 14:04:25 -0800 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft EC1 design contest Hi, To help stimulate the creative process, we'll be giving away three of our new EC1 project enclosures to those who submit the most interesting suggested designs (concepts only--no schematics required). Here are the rules for the contest: 1. Design concepts submitted can be for virtually any ham-related application, but they must be compatible with the EC1 enclosure. (See http://www.elecraft.com/EC1.htm for pictures and inside dimensions. The EC1 is the same size and color as the K1 transceiver. Designers are under no obligation or expectation to actually build the proposed projects. 2. Entries will ONLY be accepted in ELECTRONIC form (Microsoft Word, pdf, html, jpeg, gif, or some combination of these). Each entry must include at least a one-page description, as well as one or more sketches showing relevant detail (block diagram, panel layout, physical location of boards, etc.). But it's the idea that counts, not the implementation, so there's no need to provide formal documentation. 3. Entrants can submit more than one design, but a no more than one EC1 enclosure will be awarded per person. 4. Entries must be sent (via e-mail) to contests at elecraft.com, no later than Sunday, December 17th, 2001. 5. The three winning designs will be announced before December 31st. Some or all designs submitted will then be posted on our web site. Judging will be done by Wayne Burdick (N6KR), Eric Swartz (WA6HHQ), Gary Surrency (AB7MY), Tom Hammond (N0SS), and Bob Friess (N6CM). (All of us are hopeless home-brew fanatics.) 6. All designs submitted will be considered public domain. We reserve the right to design similar products in the future. We look forward to seeing what you come up with! 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ - -- http://www.elecraft.com ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 09:54:16 -0600 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Preparing Elecraft EC1 Project Submissions GM Folks: I hope there are a BUNCH of you out there working hard to finalize your EC1 Contest project submissions. We've already several submissions and we're looking forward to seeing many more before it's all over. This having been said, please allow me to make a couple suggestions... at least on my behalf, and possibly on behalf of the others who will be reviewing your submissions. 'NAMING' YOUR SUBMISSION - MESSAGE OR ATTACHED FILE(s) If we don't begin some form of 'formatted' naming convention, I can see problems in being able to properly identify which submitter 'owns' which project... and especially who owns what ATTACHMENT. I humbly urge submitters to TITLE their submissions as follows: callsign_ec1_# (for the SUBJECT, where "#" starts with '1' and increments if they have more than one idea.) callsign_ec1_#.JPG (if a graphic is ATTACHed) Ex. first submittal (message) SUBJECT: N0SS_EC1_1 ATTACHment: N0SS_EC1_1.JPG 2nd submittal (message) SUBJECT: N0SS_EC1_2 ATTACHment: N0SS_EC1_2.JPG This way, we can readily tell who 'owns' what, and not risk losing an ATTACHment named "EC1.JPG" (of which we have already received a couple). BE MINDFUL OF THE SIZE OF THE FILE YOU ARE SUBMITTING I suspect that there are at least a couple of us who don't have 'fat pipes' (fast Internet access) for our Internet connections. I certainly don't. As a result some of the file (ATTACHments) we're going to be getting are will be pretty darn large, well over 1MB. Files which will take a considerable amount of time to download. Please, IF at all possible, and assuming you have the ability to do so: 1) If you are SCANning a document, or if you are getting ready to SAVE a drawing, please LIMIT the resolution to no more than 150 DPI. DOUBLING the resolution, increases the file size by a factor of FOUR!!! 2) Convert ALL images to MONOCHROME (B&W), rather than to any form of color OR grayscale (UNLESS it is compromises the image in some way) 3) If you must submit a color or grayscale image, use moderate-to-heavy JPG compression on all of your (scans or drawings)... as much as you can without sacrificing legibility. You cannot use JPG compression on B&W images, BUT you CAN use GIF compression. 4) For comparison, here are some examples of filesize compression when various forms of image compression are applied. Note that VERY heavy JPG compression WILL create (VERY SMALL) 'artifacts' in the image, but moderate to heavy compression will NOT significantly impair the quality of the image. The image used was a line drawing with only about 0.5% shading, just barely enough to allow it to be considered grayscale. Note that the SAME image was merely converted to Black & White, from Grayscale, for these tests. Image type and SAVE format Filesize Source: Grayscale image saved as BMP 4,834 kB saved as JPG (med-hvy compression) 184 kB saved as JPG and then ZIPped 96 kB saved as BMP and then ZIPped 49 kB Grayscale converted to B&W saved as BMP 613 kB saved as TIFF 613 kB saved as GIF 71 kB saved as BMP and then ZIPped 28 kB Of course, if you DON'T have the capabilities to implement any of these space-saving methods... just slam it to us anyway... we certainly do NOT wish to cause ANYONE to not submit their projects for consideration. Thanks for your time. Tom Hammond N0SS +++++++++++++++++++++++