[Elecraft] QSK...

[Vic Rosenthal]

Tom Hammond N�SS wrote:
> 
> If properly implemented, QSK can be a SIGNIFICANT benefit to CW operators

I think QSK has really gotten a bad name from the poor implementation thereof
found in many of the popular (Japanese) transceivers.  For example, my TS850s
has very fast QSK, but it is quite clicky and hard on the ears, especially if
the RF gain is not reduced.  The 850 is relatively good; some of the others are
worse!  Nevertheless, I suffered with it a lot in pile-ups, because otherwise
you will miss many opportunities to call the DX station. Years ago I operated in
traffic nets, and there too it was a necessity.  It is true that for ragchewing,
semi-QSK is adequate.

The K2 implementation is not quite as fast as the 850's, but (partly as a result
of this), it is very quiet and smooth.  It is possible to increase the speed
without introducing noise by adjusting the value of R17 on the control board; I
put 1 MB in parallel with my R17 for a significant improvement.

73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA