[Elecraft] T4 PA XFRMR winding question in K2

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron, Vic and all,

In addition, the 5 watt mod should NOT be installed if the SSB option is
installed (or to be installed later).  My understanding is that the finals
will not be run in a linear mode with the mod installed.  Non-linear
operation can result in bad stuff being splattered over the ham bands and
may even make the transmitted SSB signals 'sound funny' at the receiving
end - and that is really bad for the soundcard generated digital modes such
as PSK31, etc.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

| Vic, you and I are OBVIOUSLY not really dedicated QRPers ... those who
| would NEVER allow the power output to exceed 5 watts for any reason. The
| mod makes the K2 a little more efficient for those ops.
|
| Why use a K2 instead of a K1 for QRP? You know that a K1 is an entirely
| different radio than a K2. The only thing they have in common is the
| "Elecraft" name on the panel. While the K1 is a great performer by all
| accounts, it can't match the versatility or performance of a K2. Also
| keep in mind that some (many?) of those QRP operators run SSB and
| digital modes other than CW.
|
| For the portable and QRP crowd, the issue is always a weight vs.
| performance tradeoff. Rigs can be made very tiny and light, but they
| still sacrifice some performance for the small size and weight. The K1
| is no exception. So whether a little more bulk is justified will be in
| the "eye of the operator", just like most of the choices in this hobby!
| <G>
|
| Ron AC7AC
| K2 # 1289
|
| -----Original Message-----
|  I'm possibly beginning to sound like a broken
| record, but I can't see why anyone would want to do this.  The power
| saving only applies when the key is actually down, which is a VERY small
|
| portion of your total operating time.  In my opinion, that doesn't
| justify the limitations it imposes.
|
| If you are serious enough about backpacking to think that you might want
|
| to do this mod then you should get a K1!  Not only does it have much
| lower current drain on both receive and transmit, but is much smaller
| and lighter.
|
| Vic K2VCO