++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 13:38:12 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Organization: Elecraft To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft's contributing engineers We'd like to acknowledge the talented engineers who have helped us bring our latest products to market: Lyle Johnson, KK7P (KDSP2 DSP unit for the K2) Jack Brindle, WA4FIB (KRC2 universal band decoder) Bob Friess, N6CM (XV Series transverters) Here's a bit more about them. * * * Lyle has been in the electronics industry for 35 years, designing equipment for harsh environments including mining and space. Co-founder of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio, he led in the development of packet radio TNCs. Since 1983, he has designed numerous flight computers for AMSAT and commercial satellites. His DSP designs have flown in space, and he designed commercial DSP hardware and software that has been in production since 1995. * * * Jack has spent his entire career in the wireless field. He spent a year as an engineering tech at ARRL headquarters, authoring several QST articles along the way. After receiving his degrees, Jack worked as a design engineer and system architect, including stints at Motorola, Apple Computer and Sun Microsystems. He helped pioneer early packet radio, participating in the development of the low speed packet system as well as the Grapes 56K Modem system, and developed the MacPacket series of packet radio terminal programs. * * * Bob was first licensed as KN6HMO in 1954, at the age of 11. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he worked for Farinon Electric, a manufacturer of microwave communications equipment in various positions from Development Engineer to Vice President of Engineering. In 1984 Bob co-founded Digital Microwave Corporation in San Jose where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer until he retired in 1992. His present interests include ham radio, astronomy, golf, RC airplanes and entertaining his nine grandchildren. * * * In addition, Ron D'Eau Claire, AC7AC has been doing a stellar job on technical documentation. Ron's a professional technical writer whom many of you already know from his many helpful reflector postings. Eric, Gary, and I are still the ones officially sticking our necks out, but we're pleased to have these new associates to share the load (er, fun, I mean). No doubt you'll find all of them hanging out on our reflector, offering insight on their respective designs. 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ ++++++++++++++++ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 22:46:53 -0700 From: k6se at juno.com Subject: [Elecraft] New K2 Options Hi, All, I'm at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California. I visited the Elecraft booth here today and had a good chat with Eric, WA6HHQ. On display at the booth are five new options for the K2 that will be introduced by Elecraft at the Dayton Hamvention in two weeks. Eric told me that it would be okay for me to disclose the details about these new options, which has been quite a guessing game among Elecrafters recently. The new items are: 1) A DSP module which will fit inside the K2's case, with all of the usual DSP features including auto-notch, noise reduction and variable filters 2) A band data module (outboard from the K2). The module reads band information from the K2 via the aux bus and can be used to automatically switch antennas, for example, when you change bands on the K2. 3, 4 and 5) Three transverters - one or 2 meters, one for 1-1/4 meters, and one for 70 centimeters. The transverters output 20 to 25 watts of transmit power and have very good receive noise figures. The K2's frequency readout displays the actual VHF/UHF frequency you are tuned to. All are outboard units and looked impressive stacked one on top of the other. The three stacked transverters appeared to occupy about the same volume as the K2 (each one the same width and depth of the K2 and about 1/3 the height). The DSP option will sell for $219 (USD) and the tranverters are $349 each. I forgot to ask the price of the band data unit. My description of these new items is only what I saw in the brief time I spent with Eric. I'm sure that they have other features which Elecraft undoubtedly will post on their Web site in the near future. Now, if I can only get my K2 to act as red hot as the K2 on display at the Elecraft booth! After hearing that one on CW, I know that mine only needs some AGC tweaking. I.e., replace my K2's 8-volt regulator (it puts out 8.35 volts DC) and set the value of R1 so that the output of U2-1 is slightly less than 3.5 volts DC with no antenna connected and the AGC ON. 73, de Earl, K6SE +++++++++++++++++ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 16:12:08 -0700 From: k6se at juno.com Subject: [Elecraft] New K2 Options Update I visited the Elecraft booth again todayand got some more info on the new K2 options: 1) The DSP option plugs into the connectors on the control board where the KAF2 normally plugs into, thereby replacing the KAF2. It includes a real-time clock. Automatic notch and noise reduction are adjustable from the front panel. ---------- 2) The price of the band decoder unit is $159. It can be used with other brands of radios as well as with the K2. ---------- 3) The 3 transverters are for 6m, 2m and 1-1/4m (NOT 2m, 1-1/4m and 70cm as I posted earlier. The 50 MHz unit puts out 20 watts and the 144 & 222 MHz units put out 25 watts. A 70cm (432 MHz) is in the works. Physical size is a bit larger than I previously posted. Their footprints are the same as the K2, but their heights are slightly more than I reported. Two of the units stacked is about the same height as the K2. 73, de Earl, K6SE +++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 21:33:27 -0700 From: Vic Rosenthal Organization: Transparent Software To: k6se at juno.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K2 Options k6se at juno.com wrote: > 2) A band data module (outboard from the K2). The module reads band > information from the K2 via the aux bus and can be used to automatically > switch antennas, for example, when you change bands on the K2. I was told that it will also decode band information from other radios (ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood(?)) as well as the K2. In addition it has a couple of buttons for immediate-play CW messages. > The DSP option will sell for $219 (USD) and the tranverters are $349 > each. I forgot to ask the price of the band data unit. It was $159. > Now, if I can only get my K2 to act as red hot as the K2 on display at > the Elecraft booth! After hearing that one on CW, I know that mine only > needs some AGC tweaking. I.e., replace my K2's 8-volt regulator (it puts > out 8.35 volts DC) and set the value of R1 so that the output of U2-1 is > slightly less than 3.5 volts DC with no antenna connected and the AGC ON. It DID sound great, didn't it! Vic K2VCO ++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 21:42:58 -0700 From: Vic Rosenthal Organization: Transparent Software To: Unifiedtx at aol.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New DSP Module Unifiedtx at aol.com wrote: > This is exciting!!! I wonder, however, if the DSP module replaces the KAF2 > or is it in addition to it. Is this module an IF or AF processing unit? Roy It's an AF DSP and it replaces the KAF2. It also has a real-time clock in it. Vic K2VCO +++++++++++++++++ From: "Lyle Johnson" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New DSP option Date: Sat, 3 May 2003 21:45:48 -0700 Hello Len! > Is this the same DSP unit designed by Lyle Johnson, KK7P and described on > his web page? Will the new Temp Comp circuit board interfere with > installation of the DSP board? (It is a bit taller than the original > resistor pack...). The field testing that is underway with the DSP unit has verified that the PLL mod fits just fine along with the DSP. 73, Lyle kK7P +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 18:56:26 -0400 (EDT) From: Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] new DSP option The DSP software will be open-source, linked to proprietary Elecraft software modules for the interface, so anyone can develope DSP code for the module. 73, doug +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Deinhardt, Toby" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Cc: "'dk3yd at darc.de'" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New K2 Options Update Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 11:00:26 +0200 Hallo all, > 1) The DSP option plugs into the connectors on the control board where > the KAF2 normally plugs into, thereby replacing the KAF2. > > It includes a real-time clock. > > Automatic notch and noise reduction are adjustable from the front panel. As much as I have been missing a notch filter, it is a pity that I will have a KAF2 for sell real soon now ... ;-) It would have been nice to use both (at the same time). > 3) The 3 transverters are for 6m, 2m and 1-1/4m (NOT 2m, 1-1/4m and 70cm > as I posted earlier. > > The 50 MHz unit puts out 20 watts and the 144 & 222 MHz units put out 25 > watts. All of a sudden I understand one of the comments I got from Elecraft about 14 days ago ... ;-) We were talking about transverters . > A 70cm (432 MHz) is in the works. > > Physical size is a bit larger than I previously posted. Their footprints > are the same as the K2, but their heights are slightly more than I > reported. Two of the units stacked is about the same height as the K2. In EU the 220MHz transverter is useless, expect maybe as an IF for even higher bands. What I would hope for, is a possibility to put two or even 3 transverters in one EC2! I tend to do most of my operations from vacation QTHs and while I can transport my K2 and the PA/100W Combo (in an EC2) in my laptop "bag", I'm not sure how I could handle more than 3 boxes of mojo magik (and my laptop). There is no way I will let the luggage crews smash my radio. 70cm is a must! I hope that this will be coming soon and not in several months, but I'ld prefer to wait than have Wayne and Eric rush things. vy 73 de toby +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 05 May 2003 15:14:15 -0700 From: Vic Rosenthal Organization: Transparent Software To: Parker Buckley Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] DSP CW question Parker Buckley wrote: > Will the > new Elecraft DSP unit also require longer delay times or > semi-break-in? I have a Timewave DSP 59+ unit, and the delay is small enough to not interfere (much) with my sending. Any outboard unit needs a bypass if the sidetone is outside of the filter's passband. However, the Elecraft unit plugs in BEFORE the sidetone injection, so the sidetone will sound exactly the same as it would without the filter installed. Vic K2VCO +++++++++++++++++++