[Elecraft] K2 Vox Problem

[Todd A. Fonstad]

I recently purchased 'preowned' K2 #1130 to complement my K2 #1429 (one for
each ear). It came with the SSB module installed and its connector wired for
a Yaesu microphone. I replaced the four-pin female connector on my Heil
BM-10 Boomset (used previously with a Kenwood TS-530s) with an eight-pin
connector   In addition, I changed R14 on the KSB2 board from 1K to 10K to
obtain more audio output.

The mic's HC-4 contesting element does a great job of driving the output to
its maximum with average mic gain and compression levels. I use the
footswitch that came with the microphone (wired through the connector) for
PTT.

VOX initially appeared to work with both the 0.4 and 1.0 second delay.
However I immediately noticed that the output into a dummy load as measured
on an external meter dropped from 10 watts to about 100 milliwatts! The ALC
indicator changed from one bar on PTT to running halfway across the bargraph
with VOX, indicating to me that there is plenty of audio. To return to PTT
and full output I need, of course, to push-button back to PTT but also (!)
sequence through the modes (e.g., USB, LSB, CW, USB). If the latter is not
done, output remains at 100 mw. I have not been able to find anything in
'troubleshooting' or in the reflector archives on this so am wondering if
any of you might have some ideas.

Also, I note that the KSB2 Manual states that "...the K2 provides a Carrier
Balance Mode in which the SSB transmit signal is routed directly to the
receiver". This should allow me to use headphones to listen to the mic
audio. I have not been able to find where to this feature can be accessed.
Anyone know?

This is my first post after reading ALL the mail on the reflector during the
past two years .... what a wonderful source of information it has been!

Thanks in advance.

Todd Fonstad, N9NE
tfonstad@vbe.com