[Elecraft] Re: K2 Twins software

[Bob Evans]

FWIW, I use two K2/100s in my SO2R contest station.  I use TRlog contest
software.  TRlog has a command called EXCHANGERADIOS that immediately swaps
the frequencies in the two rigs (i.e. frequency on rig A replaces freq on
rig B and vice-versa).  I find this useful if I'm tuning on one band while
CQing on the other and then decide to start CQing on the opposite band.
Even though I've got my station set up to have either rig as the "prime"
rig, I prefer my left rig as my run rig.  I've also used my two K2s to tune
on the same band as I'm CQing.  This requires a separate antenna as far away
from my transmitting antenna as possible.  I use an old vertical for same
band tuning.  It isn't the greatest antenna, but that is OK since I have the
ability to quickly swap frequencies with the EXCHANGERADIOS command.  I can
realistically get within 15 KHz of my transmitted signal without too much of
a problem copying stations.  My same band vertical is only 100 feet from my
transmitting quads because that is all the room I have.  I could never have
done this with my old IC-765s.  The K2s are THAT good at close in rejection!

 

There is also a SWAPRADIOS command that swaps the key, mic, headphones and
logged frequency to the other radio.  The swapping is controlled by a pin in
the parallel port changing state.  That pin can be use with Top-Ten Devices
DXDoubler, your own interface (as I use) or several other manufacturers SO2R
boxes.  The downside to TRlog for some people is that TRlog is a DOS program
and probably will never be ported over to Windows, but it handles all the
packet interfacing, rig interfacing and contest logging I will ever use.

 

Bob K5WA