[Elecraft] K2 #2498 First impressions

Thu Mar 7 04:49:00 2002

My K2 is now working at the stage 2 alignment stage, ie 40m receive.  Only problem in
assembly of the rf board was a missing 1N4007 - no problem as I have buckets full of
them. And I had to add a 56pF across the BFO cap to bring the range in spec.

1.  Those of you in the USA say you can use the Preamp all the time.  Not so here in
Europe, last night I did get a few intermods from the broadcast stations.  However
performance is so much much better than my FT101ZD, and perhaps the only reason you
like to use the preamp is that the band sounds so quiet anyway.

2.  Having eventually managed to get the bfo alignment correct, all cw filters
(normal and reverse) are working fine.  Not so happy with the ssb filters, but that
is a minor problem as I won't be installing the ssb option.  I did tests with my
signal generator and there is no evidence of filter bypass reported by some, even
with a pretty big signal input.  But I did hear a +40dB GW this morning with
keyclicks over several kHz.....

3.  Being one to try things before reading the instructions, I eagerly plugged
headphones and antenna in before starting alignment.  Yes, instant signals, but the
K2 only tuned in 5kHz steps - then I read I had to calibrate the PLL for it to work
properly......

4.  Instant 'wish list' - to be able to switch between Preamp on and off without
having to go via attenuator on.
                              - to be able to cycle through the filters in reverse
order, ie not to need three pushes to go back to 400Hz from 100Hz.  Perhaps though I
could code the PF1 and PF2 switches to do this?
                              -  to increase the spacing between the tuning knob and
the power knob, to prevent me accidently moving the power knob.

All in all a great rig.  I will not be starting the final assembly until later next
week as I am demonstrating it at our local club next Wednesday and want to be sure it
is still in a fit state then.

73s Dave G3YMC
K2 #2498
[email protected]
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http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk