[Elecraft] PSK31 and the K2

[Don Wilhelm]

Trevor and all,

For me, the biggest advantage to using the RTTY filters is that you can set
the compression independently from that used for SSB - the compression can
be turned off (1:1) just by switching modes rather than going to the menu.

The second advantage is that one can set up FL2 through 4 at narrower
bandwidths and center them at about 1000 Hz so one can take advantage of a
better S/N ratio by using a more narrow filter.  If you do use the narrow
filters, be certain to tell the software to lock the transmit frequency (not
'track') after you establish contact or you can chase each other up or down
the band due to slight differences in the BFO frequencies involved.

It is not abnormal for the K2 to require a bit more audio on the higher
bands.  That is mainly due to the internal gain in the transmit chain
changing from band to band.  Normally the ALC takes care of it for SSB, but
on data modes, one does not want to run the ALC very hard (keeps the IMD
lower), so the difference is noticed more than on SSB.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 
>
> So, while I was sorting through some of the boxes left from the move in
> November, I found my little home brew PSK31 rig interface. It optically
> isolates the transmit line from the RS232 port and transformer couples the
> audio. Works like a champ. I rewired the audio/mic jack last night for the
> K2 as I though it would be fun to try it on the K2. On the K2 I set the
> compression to 1 and mic gain to 1 and found that bypassing the DSP gave
me
> much better RX. While pressing Tune in DigiPan I adjusted the TX volume so
> that I was just tickling the ALC (first bar flickering) and then backed it
> of just a hair. RF power was set to 5 watts. These settings seem to work
ok,
> but was curious if anyone has anything to try. I was thinking of using the
> RTTY/Data filter settings, but haven't needed them as of yet. Probably
would
> in a contest though. First QSO last night was Bob N4CTC in Venice,FL.
>