[Elecraft] ssb problem

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

That has been a problem with a number of K2's for two reasons.

First, is the proper setting of the BFO in relation to the filter
bandpass. Setting the BFO by Spectrogram is NOT a good way to be sure
that you have a good signal. On mine, with a fairly bassy voice, I have
the bandpass set considerable further "up" from the carrier than the
sample plots (or the SSB module instructions) suggest. As they say in
the SSB module book, it is a good idea to make the final adjustments by
listening to yourself on the air.  I recorded myself on an auxiliary
receiver and made the final adjustment accordingly. 

Secondly, a number of K2's have SSB (OPT1) filters that are simply too
narrow. Elecraft designed for a very narrow SSB filter - something close
to 2 kHz. That produces more audio "punch" for a QRP rig, but it's on
the edge of becoming too sharp. IF it's too narrow, your audio will
either sound muffled or very tinny and "thin". Elecraft sells a
replacement set of crystals that are more carefully matched, if that's
you problem. I had a narrow filter that wouldn't sound decent and a new
set of crystals fixed the problem. Also, John, KI6WX, has some mods
posted on his web site (and on the Elecraft site I think) that discuss
ways to open up the filter bandpass a little more if you want more
fidelity. That's of special interest to the K2/100 operators on SSB out
there. 

If you replace the crystals, you will have to replace all 14 OPT 1 and
CW filter crystals so they will match up when switching modes. 

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289
--------------
Ever since I purchased and installed the KSB2, and using the MH2 mike
I've gotten audio quality reports being muffled, bassy, sounds like
you've got a hankerchief over the mike, lacking highs...etc.  Checking
into it today the problem is still with me.(been on seedub for awhile)
I've had several QSO's today using different mikes so I don't think
that's the problem.  I've gotten these reports on both USB and LSB.
Any ideas?  Thanks. Regards, Helm.  WB2ADT