[Elecraft] Tuning - CW and CW Reverse?

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Hi John:

>Even though I did one of the mods that shaped up the sidetone a bit, I
>still have trouble zerobeating with it. It seems to me that when a CW signal
>is properly tuned the BFO pitch should be the same for both CW and CW
>reverse. Am I right, meaning that I can use CW / CW revere comparison to
>zero in on a CW signal, or, as is often the case, am I missing something
>here?

In a perfect world, you would be right. Problem is that we're not quite 
there yet (being in a perfect world, that is...)

There can be up to a 20 Hz - 30Hz tonal difference is 'properly' aligned 
filters between CWN and CWR. This is due to the granularity of the 
frequencies read by the DACs (digital to analog converters) used in the K2. 
Some have been successful in getting the difference down to nil, but many 
of us see a small amount of offset, on some (but generally NOT all) filters.

If you have a consistent offset between CWN and CWR, then it may be due to 
the fact that you're not quite accurately zero beating the received signal 
against your sidetone. If you have a REALLY BIG difference between CWN and 
CWR, this implies that either your CWN or your CWR BFO settings have been 
set to the wrong side of the filter's center point.

>Also, I managed to wear a hole through the black finish of the tuning knob
>with my tuning finger, revealing ugly bright aluminum. Too much tuning. What
>is a good material to repair that in without making a worse cosmetic
>imperfection? Thinned black finger nail polish?

I'll leave that response to someone who has a clue... I'm clueless.

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS