[Elecraft] Impressions of the K2 in a contest - part II

[N2TK]

I used the K2 at WP2Z the past few weeks. Packed it in my briefcase. Never
had to take it out for a security check.

First I used it in the CQ160SSB contest. Was only on for 5 hours. There are
no receiving antennas at WP2Z. Had to use ".nr" most of the time. Worked
quite well driving an Alpha 87A.

The main reason for bringing the K2 was for the ARRL SSB test. Prior and
after the contest I used the K2. It was a gem on CW. On CW the ".nr" really
shined when on the low bands. It was like having a beverage. As I always was
calling CQ, the QSK issues weren't of concern.

For the SSB contest, I used the K2 half the weekend and the FT-920 the other
half.

I use a Heil HC4 mike element for both radios. Audio reports were good with
both radios. I have the 2.5KHZ SSB mod in the K2. But was told during direct
comparisons that the 920 had more punch. Will have to take a look at
installing the mod to increase compression.

I really, really missed not being able to monitor my voice with the K2. This
causes me to raise my voice, which causes my throat to get sore. I need to
find a way of sampling my voice.

Need a way to easily turn off VOX. I don't use a foot switch. I always use
VOX. If you need to cough, or talk to someone in the shack while running, I
would unplug the mike. During a run, it is too much trouble to step through
the options with the VOX switch to turn off and on again. With the new
firmware can you use PT2 programmed to have an on/off switch for the VOX?
Maybe I will have to make up a small in-line switch for the mike?  For high
sped running I used the .2sec setting. For low band operating I used the .4
sec VOX setting.

Even though the front end didn't get overloaded, there were still some
problems with close in signals. Would be nice to have the option of a W2VJN
filter. Want to try setting up the filters with different offsets to help
eliminate QRM on one of the sidebands. Need to get some info from those who
have done this. Pass band tuning would be nice.

Running split on 40M was easier than I thought it would be. The 920 still is
easier as you can see both frequencies without doing anything. Also, it is
easier to go transceive on the 920 from split to either the receive or
transmit freq. I did make the mistake a few times of not holding in the
"SPLIT" switch long enough and losing my split frequency. I will need to add
the LED to at least have a better visual indication when running SPLIT.

Before and after the contest I used only 15W to drive the amp. I was
surprised how hot the heat sink got and how often the fan came on. I did not
notice that when running higher power out of the K2. For much of the time
before and after the contest, I used less than 10W drive to the amp. I had
the 87A setup for auto-tune. This way I could use the amp as an auto-tuner
for bands such as 30, 12 and 17M where we don't have dedicated antennas at
WP2Z. This gave me about 100w out, which worked out fine.

Bottom line
I still feel this is a very good CW rig. For Dxpeditions it is easy to
carry. Typically I am running stations, so don't have to fiddle much with
the knobs. The DSP/Noise Reduction is wonderful, especially on the low
bands. The K2 is very easy on the ears. For home use, I would like to see
the QSK improved.

On SSB it is a pretty good radio. It lacks some features that would be real
beneficial for me. But again, for its size, it is a nice radio. The main
issues for me are to be able to monitor your voice and to have a VOX switch.

All band changes were made with CTWIN. It worked flawless with the K2. I
used the TS950 setting.

I look forward to getting the next upgrades - firmware, 60M, and KPA100 and
click mods.

73,
#3481
N2TK/NP2, Tony



-----Original Message-----
From: N2TK [mailto:tony.kaz@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 6:53 PM
To: Elecraft (E-mail)
Subject: Impressions of the K2 in a contest

This past weekend I used the K2 for the first time as the primary rig in a
CW contest. I usually use a TS950SDX. The rig was driving an Acom 2000A amp.
While I couldn't operate the entire weekend, only 12 hours, I felt I got in
enough hours on all the bands to form an opinion.

The biggest impression was the receiver on 80 and 160M. WOW! I would use FL4
(100HZ) and CF3 of the KDSP2. It was amazing how close I could get to a
strong station when I was pulling out a weak signal. Switching to FL4 was
like switching to a beverage antenna. I left the RF gain control full
clockwise. I found I didn't have to play with it like some other rigs to
minimize overload type situations. The K2 is easy on the ears. By the way,
plenty of volume.  Found the AF gain control was usually about the 10-12
0'clock position. Except for 80 and 160M I typically used FL3 (400HZ) with
CF3.

I found the rig typically easy to operate. Changing bands or frequency was
easy. I was using CTWIN to log and control the rig. The TS950 setting when
setting up CTWIN worked well. Most band changes were done by CTWIN.

I never used the RIT/XIT. I find it easier to run SPLIT when I'm listening
off frequency. I did miss the dual display of the 950 and the ease of
setting up the split freq while still using the main VFO. I wonder if it
would help to mount an LED to show when you are in SPLIT mode? Sometimes I
messed up thinking I was in SPLIT mode when I wasn't.

On the high bands, 10 and 15M, I sometimes used the PREAMP, especially for
those really weak signals over the pole. On the low bands I liked it better
with the PREAMP off, except when using receive antennas.

The QSK worked fine when running stations. It is easier on the ears when you
aren't listening between dits and dahs. Unfortunately the QSK is not
adequate when hunting and pouncing. You do need to listen between the dits
and dahs when calling someone. This saves the other station from having to
repeat your call.

I had the receive antennas connected to the RCV ANT jack. To listen on the
receive antennas I would hold in PF1 to switch to the "rAnt OFF". Then I
would hit the BAND switch or rotate the knob slightly to switch to "rAnt
ON".  Is there an easier way to do this? Is there a way to program the PF1
switch so that it toggles the receive antenna jack and not just the menu?

Used the setup in the manual on page 92 so that the PC and the Bencher
paddles could key the rig. It was nice having independent speed control
between the PC and paddles. Most of my Q's were made with the keyboard. When
I needed to send slower, I used the paddles.

As I was only running about 40-45 Watts to the amp, the fan never came on
and the heat sink was only warm. However, when I'm on 30M I run 100W out.
The heat sink gets fairly warm and the fan cycles.

The Yaesu knob is easier on the fingers - no sharp edges. Glad I made that
change. Need to mount another felt washer behind the knob to give it more
drag.

This morning I took the cover off the KPA100 to check if the screws holding
the power transistors were tight. They were. This was the first time I
checked since building the rig.

Had a few folks who I know are picky, to check for key clicks. Didn't get
any reports of key clicks. Did a comparison with the 950. Both sounded the
same in regards to key clicks. Is the key click issue related to random K2's
or a certain serial number series or all?

All in all, quite a rig for the size of the package. The K2 will be going
with me to WP2Z in February for the 160M test and ARRL SSB test. That will
be the real test of the rig. Since almost all of the Q's will be from
running, the present QSK will work fine for this. My next project is to set
up the K2 as an outboard receiver for my 950 for the times when I need the
extra performance of the K2's receiver.

#3481
N2TK, Tony