[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft] K2 and Field Day Ops

[Bill Tippett]

KT6JS wrote:
 >As a newbie Field Day coordinator for our Lake Tahoe club, I'm thinking
about using my K2/100 (3256) as one of the Field Day stations. My
thought were to use my K2 as a 20 meter CW station and one of the Club
radios on 20 meter SSB. However, I've been cautioned by some club
veterans that it won't work to have a 20 meter CW station working at
the same site as 20 meter SSB station--they will just interfere with
each other. I think I've read on this reflector about the excellence of
the K2 in working in strong signal environments so wanted a second
opinion. What problems will I be creating trying to run a K2/100 and a
brand X together on 20 mtrs one using a Yagi and one using a dipole? If
there are problems, what might be the solution?  Hope this isn't too
dumb of question.

         You may run into two problems:

1.  Transmitted phase noise by either radio.  This will simply sound like
the noise floor increases when the other station is transmitting.  The K2's
phase noise is fairly good, so you might have the case of the other
station bothering you but not vice versa depending on how bad his radio's
phase noise is.  Take a look at the next-to-far-right column here after
you learn what radio the 20 SSB station will be using (more negative # is
better):

http://www.elecraft.com/K2_perf.htm#5%20kHz%20numbers

2.  Blocking dynamic range (BDR).  This is caused by a nearby strong signal
causing your receiver to desense when the other station transmits.  Again,
the K2 has excellent BDR, so you may not have the problem but the SSB
station could have a problem if his BDR performance is not very good.
In the same table above, the 4th column from the left (BDR @ 20 kHz) will
give you an indication for both the K2 and the SSB radio (higher # is better).

         The best solution for both problems is:

1.  Orient the dipole so that its end insulator is pointing directly
at the Yagi if possible.  This will minimize interaction for both issues
above.

2.  Locate the stations so that the Yagi will seldom be pointing toward
you.  Assuming you are in California, you will probably beam East most
of the time and almost never South.  Locate the Dipole station to the
South of the Yagi station so that he will never beam in that direction.
In this case, both antennas will be maximum to the East which should
maximize QSO's and minimize interaction.

3.  Better yet, do the above AND use another K2 or an Orion at the SSB
station!  ;-)

                                                 73,  Bill  W4ZV