[Elecraft] Is it possible to connect a amp to the K2

Jim Brown jim at audiosystemsgroup.com
Wed Jan 5 19:35:47 EST 2005


On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 14:43:45 -0800, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:

>The K2/100 already includes a high voltage output keying line for linear 
>amplifiers on its KPA100 back panel. It can handle up to 200V and 1A 
>max. Most amps with -positive- keying voltages can be T/R keyed from the 
>K2/100.

The K2 works quite well keying my TenTec Titan (nearly 20 years old). A 
barefoot K2 gets me 400-600 watts output into a well-matched load, depending 
on the band. A K2/100 gets me to full power (1500 W), except that some antenna 
conditions that put a LOT of RF in the shack can cause the K2/100 to be a bit 
unstable and generate second harmonics. This only shows up on 80 and 160, and 
only above 600 watts. The keying output works nicely to key the amp in SSB 
mode. In CW mode, you key the Titan and the Titan keys the K2 (as if it were a 
straight key). 

I've also used the K2 to drive an original (c.a. 1979) TenTec Hercules 444. As 
i recall, a barefoot K2 drives it to about 250 watts out. The pre-delay keying 
line works fine for that too. For that older amp, you key the K2 and the 
keying line keys the amp. The newer Hercules II keys like the Titan -- in the 
CW mode, you key the amp and the amp keys the K2.

Jim K9YC




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