[Elecraft] K2 Volume

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

You are absolutely right, Bruce -- Some good quantitative data based on
repeatable measurement setups would be great!

The K2 is rated at 1 watt "maximum" audio output, which means a typical =
K2
might be significantly less.

Each time this thread comes up, I find myself wondering whether several
hundred milliwatts of audio is really enough for be heard when mobile =
unless
one has a VERY quiet vehicle?=20

I know that's enough to "rattle the windows" in most shacks, but it's
deceiving just how much louder the ambient noise levels are in a typical
car! And SSB, which most mobile operators use, requires a LOT more audio
power than SSB to be heard clearly over a background noise level.=20

This was an issue in a lot of commercial transceivers for Land Mobile =
use
too. I did some work in that industry in the 1980's, and Johnson and =
G.E.
rigs with 2 or 3 watts audio output into high-efficiency communications
speakers were NOT adequate in many situations. There's a reason why =
Motorola
manufactured an amplified speaker.

I have used the audio IC the K2 uses in a number of my own rigs, and =
I've
found that their gain characteristics are not all THAT consistent. I =
have
noted a 3 dB variation between IC's more than once.=20

I have not used enough of them, or had the need, to evaluate a lot of
samples, but I can't help but wonder if the differences in K2 audio =
levels
are not simply normal variations in the LM380 Audio IC's that one =
happens to
get. I always assumed that was why the broad, "1 watt MAXIMUM" spec was
given to the K2.=20


Ron AC7AC

=20

-----Original Message-----
My K2 has only about half the volume that others have (as measured with
a true RMS meter).  I've done just about every mod (and then some),
tested everything, listened to all the "mine works fine" comments, got
bombarded with the "you didn't build it right, tune it right or use it
right" comments, and have even spent the $100 to sent it back to
Elecraft for them to take a look.  All I got back was a rig with the DSP
gain turned all the way up and a "that's the way it is", comment.  Lyle,
as expected, recommends against setting the gain too high.  As Tom
pointed out, the audio, while louder, is certainly, "not quite right".

Here's the deal.  I will be happy to loan my K2 to anyone who would like
to track this problem down.  I'll even pay the shipping.  Mine is a
known "low audio" unit and is unusable in my configuration.  I have
replaced it with a Kenwood TS-2000 in my mobile setup and have put the
K2 on the shelf.  Sorry guys.  You won't be seeing postings from me
saying this is the greatest rig in the world. =20

Bruce KG0SH
Golden, CO=20
lso see: http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_list_guidelines.htm