Pete, a LP filter will not help with your RFI problem.

It is simply the fundamental frequency getting into the stereo and TV audio system.

1) Reduce TX power until the RFI is cured
2) Add ferrite cores to the TV and Stereo until the RFI is cured

When adding ferrites it can help to reduce TX power until the problem is barely there. Then add ferrites and if the problem is cured at that TX power level increase the power until the problem is again barely there. Repeat until the RFI is cured.

Yes you can use a Simpson 260 in place of a VTVM for measuring DC voltages.

A VTVM has an input impedance of 11 meg ohms.

The Simpson 260 DC voltage "sensitivity" is 20k ohms per volt. So on the 500 volt scale the input impedance is 10 megohms and on the 1000 volt scale it is 20 megohms.

Unplug the sub woofer when you are on the air.

I have a 10 meter MIZUHO handheld that does CW and SSB. I have not used it for years and will post it in the Classifieds sometime soon.

http://www.mizuhoradio.com/mx.html

If you want to transmit CW 2 meters is fine. If you would like to make contacts HF is the way to go.

The height you propose will be just fine. A 1:1 current balun would be good and any length of coax will suffice. You may need an antenna tuner to operate on some bands.

Be sure to tune the amp at 600 watts. That means to tune for maximum power using the TUNE and LOAD controls while keeping the driver power such that 600 watts is achieved. This will result in maximum efficiency (about 60%) with the tube plate dissipating 400 watts.

If tuned at 1 kW, then backed down to 600 watts by reducing the drive, the efficiency will be about 36% and the tube plate dissipation will be about 1000 watts.

The color of the tube plate will tell the story. Anything hotter than orange is too hot.

A current balun using two separate cores will provide a high common-mode impedance and reduce radiation from the coaxial feedline.

I see two good approaches to your antenna dilemma:

1) A dipole composed of two 12.5' wires out the back of the tuner attached to the balanced terminals

2) A single wire, 12 to 25' connected to the tuner random wire post. Connect the tuner ground post to the AC output ground


Run whatever RF power does not cause RFI. #1 will likely cause less RFI as it will not make the apartment AC wiring as "hot" with RF.

Managing Moral Responsibility for Product Use

http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/business/products.html

This short but interesting article from the Santa Clara University Ethics page can shed some light on the ethics of the production and sale of extra high power amateur RF amplifiers. There are at least two companies building these amps at this time, Emtron (9 kW) and Dressler (40 kW).

The factory assembled KX3 can be returned within 30 days for a refund minus a restocking fee.

http://www.elecraft.com/Elecraft%20Return%20Policy.htm

A friend of mine bought a KX3 and we have discussed it at length. Performance-wise it appears to be a K3 in a smaller box. 

LOL, yes I drilled the first three holes incorrectly and had to drill three more.

An ohmmeter might be the troubleshooting tool to use from comfort of your heated shack.

In the mount I have the stud (the part the antenna mounts directly to) is secured to the round aluminum plate with two plastic rods that prevent rotation of the stud. The plate is held to the automobile metal by three screws that prevent rotation.

It seems strange, and I might be doing something wrong, but I did get it mounted straight with the world.

The Commercial Radio Telephone license is a HUGE step up from the amateur extra class. Purchase the study material, learn it, and take the test.