[Elecraft] First foray into K2 in digital mode...power source

[Don Wilhelm]

Leigh and all,

One would be surprised at the number of 'sneak' ground paths that can exist
in any ham station installation that involves multiple boxes.  Separate
powering for the individual units is always a good idea to help minimize
those ground paths - especially in such things as soundcard interfaces.   If
one thinks in terms of the miniscule voltages that are used at microphone
input levels, consider what only a few microvolts of AC coupled into the box
to box difference in ground levels can inject onto the mic line.  These kind
of problems can be quite frustrating to track down.  Yes, they can be
'cured', but at what cost?  Powering everything from a single Rigrunner (or
equivalent) may or not be the best way to do things - 'It All Depends'.
Temporary battery power (using separate batteries) is a good method for
chasing down the problem spots.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I found that if I power the SL1+ from the same 12v that powers the K2, I
> get ground loop noise.  I haven't tried pulling power out of the mic
> jack.  I use a small battery.  But these days when I use it with my K2 I
> use the RS232 rig control for keying and don't turn the SL1+ on at all,
> just using it for the isolation.
> Leigh/WA5ZNU
>
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