[Elecraft] Audio Improvements on a K2

[Ron D' Eau Claire]

George W5YR wrote:
> ...listening to the K2 on SSB with the same
> outboard audio mixer, EQ and power amp/speaker system that I use with my
> other receivers was that the audio response did sound rather constricted,
> probably due to the response function of the crystal filter.
>
> The lack of low-frequency response seemed to aid intelligibility for weak
> signals but made the stronger signals sound somewhat thin. The lack of
> high-frequency response reduced the hiss and higher frequency band noise
> components, and thereby helped with weaker signals, but again with strong
> SSB signals there was a tendency toward a slight muffled sound.

I certainly agree with George's assessment of the K2 audio in my case.
That's why I have been listening, when I run across a K2 on the air, to see
how the Elecraft/Heil mics and others compare to my Radio Shack mic.

What I am getting from my K2 is what we called, back in the 50's at least,
"excellent communications quality", which means speech shaped for best
intelligibility, not fidelity.

So far, I haven't heard a K2 that could be accused of producing anything
approaching a "high fidelity" audio - meaning the sort of sound you usually
hear on the AM or FM Broadcast band. I agree with George that the filter
design probably precludes getting any sort of sound like that.

My voice has been compared to "dragging an empty garbage can up a gravel
road" with lots of base rattle and rumble. But that was by people listening
to me speak live, not through a radio. So for the limited phone work I have
done I take care to strike something of a balance between the rumble and the
higher frequencies essential for the sibilant sounds. The K2 with the RS mic
seems to do that well, but it is nothing that I'd call "high fidelity" by
any stretch of the imagination. It is more like the quality we expected from
a telephone 50 years ago. Quite intelligible, certainly recognizable, but
that's about it.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289