[Elecraft] I did it! Thanks!

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Hi Ken:

Great to have you on the reflector!

>Tim (NZ7C) wrote:
> > Totally cool! I read your email...went to the rig...
> >set split for 14024 and 14025.9 and got a response
> >from CY0MM on my first transmit!!!
>
> >I finally understand it! Thank you.
>
>You should find a copy of W9KNI's _Complete DXer_.  It is an excellent,
>easy-to-read tutorial on how to find and work DX.  Much of the book
>is written as a first-person perspective of W9KNI sitting down in front
>of his radio and describing in detail what steps he goes through, and
>what decisions he makes, in finding DX to work.  Some of it is a little
>dated (it was written a little before transceivers were common, so there is
>some discussion about making sure your transmitter is on the same
>frequency as your receiver, plus it really predates the DX Cluster
>phenomenon) but it's still quite good.
>
>You might be able to borrow a copy from someone in your local club, or
>you can get a copy through Amazon:
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0961757701/ct1bohwebsiteA/104-0011435-1796743

And Bob HAS the credentials to back his words up, too. Since building his 
K2 a couple years ago, he's now worked OVER 300 DXCC ENTITIES with his K2 
at 5W...!

One 'feature' about the K2 which some may not have latched onto quite yet 
is that, when operating SPLIT, it's sometimes pretty easy to get caught 
(using the [REV] button to find the guy the DX s working) accidently 
releasing the REV button WHILE you're tuning. This results in your having 
accidently tuned the WRONG VFO and moved it off of the DX's frequency.

This is also a common accident with many other rigs as well.

Well, to combat this problem, Elecraft offers the DIAL [LOCK] button, just 
to the lower right of the VFO knob. This LOCKS the displayed frequency, so 
you can't accidently tune away from the selected frequency.

"OK", you say. "That's nice, but then HOW can I tune the alternate VFO so I 
can find the guy who is WORKING the DX?"

Simple! WHILE in SPLIT _and_ WHILE the DIAL LOCK is in force, if you press 
the [REV] button, it will switch you over to the alternate VFO _and_ it 
will allow you to tune THAT VFO, even though the main VFO is LOCKed down 
tight.

As a result, you have the best of both worlds, a VFO solidly planted on the 
DX's frequency, and a TUNABLE VFO for finding who he's working or for 
positioning yourself in the most beneficial spot to call the DX the next 
time he goes back in to 'listen' mode. Even if you happen to accidently let 
go of the [REV] button WHILE you're still tuning the alternate VFO, the 
LOCKED VFO will not move!

This feature works LIKE A CHAMP, and users should avail themselves of it often.

Using the [REV] button one can quickly and easily jump 'up' to the 'pileup' 
and see who's calling the DX, where they are locating themselves when they 
DO work him, and whether the DX station is working multiple stations on the 
SAME frequency, or whether he's possibly moving his receive VFO up (or 
down) just a bit following each successive QSO. Getting the 'feel' of the 
DX station's operating habits significantly increases your chances of 
working him.

Bob's book discusses MANY other, tried and true methods of finding and 
working DX. A great book.

If anyone had questions about the SPLIT LOCKED VFO, or how to use it, 
please feel free to drop me a note.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS