[Elecraft] K6SE Sprint Summary for Team Elecraft

[k6se@juno.com]

Tom, N0SS wrote:

Something you should look into is the (really simple) mod to improve K2
CW filter skirt selectivity.
==========
I already have KI6WX's pdf on grounding the crystals at their base.

I never experienced the filter bleed-through problem before, but it was
quite evident during the Sprint because there were many  strong signals
close to the frequency.

After the Sprint, I decided that the mod was a must and plan to do it
when I get some idle time.  I don't expect it to cure the wide skirts of
the K2's filters, however, but hope it does some good for the
bleed-through problem.

Right now I'm really chomping at the bit waiting for the Ten-Tec Orion I
ordered.  The specs and the selectable narrow roofing filters plus
dual-DSP IF filtering of the Orion's receiver are something I've praying
for since 1998.  They've designed a transceiver that takes both the
serious SSB operator and the serious CW operator into consisderation, not
only in the receiver, but also the transmitter.  Maybe the other rig
manufacturers will sit up and take notice now.

Right now, only two brands of radios don't have key clicks on CW --
Elecraft and Kenwood (per my tests).  FT-1000MPs, MK Vs, and Fields are
notorious unless modified to reduce the clicks.  So is the Ten-Tec Omni
6+ (for which no mod has yet been developed for click reduction).  Icoms
are only half as bad (except that the IC-775DSP is worse than the
FT-1000MP).  The new Orion allows the user to adjust the CW waveform via
the menu, so it should be click-free.

On SSB, the Orion allows the user to tailor the mike audio bandpass (a la
Heil), so there should be no need to buy a Heil microphone for it -- at
least, that's my understanding.

I'm hoping, because of the narrow roofing filters, that noise blanker
operation with the Orion will surpass anything available now.  (As you
know, up to now noise blankers are unusable in the presence of strong
nearby signals).

I'm not trying to detract from the K2's capabilities.  It's a fun radio
to build and use, but it's not equal to some of the big radios.  Although
most K2 owners think it's a "dream" radio, I would never rate it very
high in a review, mainly because of its intolerable temperature drift
problem and inadequate mike gain for certain mikes and its poor xtal
filter skirts.  Also, none of the "approved" mods should have to be done
on the K2 -- these improvements should be designed into the radio, and it
should not be up to the user to have to cut foil traces to install them,
etc.   On Eham.net, I would give the K2 a rating of "3" out of a possible
high of "5".

Also, if grounding the xtals at the bottom of their cans improves the
bleed-through problem, why doesn't Elecraft revise the manual to do it
that way while the kit is being built?

Everybody raves about Elecraft's support.  If they were that good, they
would do something about correcting the many design deficiencies in the
K2.  Just my opinion.

Don't be brainwashed by 'em, Tom (or anyone else reading this).

73, de Earl, K6SE

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