[Elecraft] Enveigled mind! Part 2

[Don Wilhelm]

Rolly,

I'm not certain what you envision as problems in getting a K2 into the
'upper levels of performance'.

Certainly if you follow the instructions, you will have a fine working K2
that will hear as well as the rest of them, and will be a perfect main rig
in your shack.

The only 'fine tuning' that may be required is setting up the varaible
filters and their associated BFOs.  The use of Spectrogram and a wideband
noise generator make this fine tuning quite easy.  Spectrogram is available
at no cost, and Don Brown offers a kit for the noise generator at a very low
price.  Detailed instructions (.pdf files) for using Spectrogram to set the
filters are available from the Elecraft website.  In fact, you can build the
noise generator with a couple of transistors, a few resistors and
capacitors - layout is not a problem and you can build the simple circuit
without a circuit board - just 'flying leads' if you are so inclined.  Even
if you have someone else build your K2, you should plan to fine tune the
filters to suit your personal preferences.  I have built several K2s and
although noone has complained about the way I have set the filters, I am
certain that my particular settings are not optimum for all operators.

Some of us on this reflector keep 'trying to get it better', but the amount
of performance improvement is really quite small compared to the stock K2.
So if you are able to follow written instructions, you will be able to build
a K2 that performs up to par with the rest - have no fears.

Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- >
>
> I've decided that I will build a K2, (or maybe a K5??? as my second
> rig), however it is with some regret that I conclude that as this first
> K2 will be my main rig and although I'm sure I can get it working, I'm
> not convinced that I can get into the upper levels of the performance
> area I'd like.  So, I shall go and play some more and see if I can't
> improve my 0-1-2 kit record before I try to become the first person NOT
> to get a K2 operational!  :-)
>