[Elecraft] Continuing saga of low audio on my K2

[Bruce - backup email]

Well, I still run my K2 with RF and AF gain set to full and the preamp on to
even hear SSB signals. Here is what I have done so far.  I won't include
everything I've checked, which is a pretty long list. I still have a few
other things to look at via suggestions from Gary.

1.  Built up the N0SS noise bridge and redid the filters with Spectrogram.
Made a little difference on CW but nothing much on SSB.
2.  Removed C180 in the second crystal filter.
3.  My 8V regulator read 8.4 volts.  This was setting the AGC threshold too
high.  I repaced R1 with a 33k resistor as per Gary.
4.  Used different speakers. I can run the audio through a cassette
converter into the stereo, get lots of feedback during transmit.
5.  Replaced T7 with a 20:5 winding (Was 11:3)
6.  Changed R7 from a 1.96k to a 1.72k 1% resistor (for current sense, not
related to audio volume)
7.  Realigned all the band pass filters-Didn't really find anything wrong.

The only thing I can compare it to is my 817, which doesn't seem to have
this problem.  I also see some definate correlation to the resonance of the
antenna.  Higher SWR's result in lower signal levels.  The volume of CW is
now very high but SSB is still not acceptable.  I haven't found any
construction errors.

The next step is to trace through the signals with a generator and a scope.
I suspect something wrong in the SSB module but all the simple checks
yielded nothing.  I may also put in a new set of crystals on the SSB board
just for fun.

Stay tuned...

Bruce KG0SH