[Elecraft] am for the k2

[David Toepfer]

I know of at least one AM'er I saw online that ised his K2 as a (n expensive)
VFO for this tube transmitter.

You won't find AM'ers always "on frequency", as most old vfo's are only
accurate to 5kHz (1kHz with Collins).

I have thought of playing with AM (tx and rx) with a K1 or K2 when I get one. 
But I would doubt Elecraft themselves would bother with such endeavors,
especially on a rig that is designed to be such a fine CW rig.

The issues I think I would encounter are:

rx:
1) detection: cut the BFO and perhaps insert a diode detector
2) bandwidth: would have to open up to at least 4kHz

tx:
1) modulation: you could just drop a book on the key in CW mode and then you
need to modulate with voice, one way might be via series PDM modulation

David, K3TUE
.

--- Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Sean,
> 
> While AM transmit with the K2 would be a MAJOR change, it may be possible to
> achieve AM receive - I haven't tried it, but D1 on the control board in the
> AGC section looks a lot like a diode detector that might just be used for AM
> demodulation.  You may want to try connecting an Audio Amplifier to the
> cathode of D1 and see what happens - the value of C2 may be a bit on the
> large size for proper operation, so a bit of experimentation may be in
> order.
> 
> I think I can assure you that AM transmission is not in the Elecraft product
> plan - that is for the boat-anchor folks.  You were likely hearing some
> old-time transmitters and some do have a difficult time getting on frequency
> (by today's standards) and many will drift more than is considered 'state of
> the art' today.  These WERE state of the art transmitters back in the days
> they were in common use, but what was acceptable then is no longer OK on the
> ham bands (except in specialized areas).
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > just wondered if am would be possible with the k2 eventually .and
> > if it was how would one go about doing this.  have heard a couple
> > am'ers on 80 a couple of times and it seemed awfully hard to copy
> > a qso ,not everyone was on perfect frequency . just a thought
> >
> 
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