[Elecraft] QSK Redux

[Joseph Reed]

Ouch,
 
25 wpm is cw with training wheels.  In the real world people don't send that slow.  Bummer.
 
I'll check out the site you referenced.  I don't have a KDSP2, being a code kind of guy I am good to go with the KAF2.
 
I love the receive qualities of my K2, and really, really wanted to make it my main HF rig.  But if it isn't capable of QSK it can't take over Op Pos #1 for serious DXing.  But I love the radio and it will get lots of non-DX use.
 
QSK is the holy grail of cw ops.  I am kicking myself as the best QSK I ever owned was a freak of nature.  In the 1980's I had a Yaesu FT-757 GX II that held QSK beyond 40 wpm.  Just the fluke of the components.  But was it sweet to key!
 
Joe N9JR

----- Original Message ----
From: Vic K2VCO <vic at rakefet.com>
To: Joseph Reed <jereed at ameritech.net>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Monday, May 8, 2006 4:42:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QSK Redux


Joseph Reed wrote:
> I asked a question about the audio "pop" that occurs in cw when T-R
> is set to 0 (QSK),  I discovered a 1993 thread that discussed
> lowering a resistance value.
> 
> Two questions for those who have done it.  First how effective was
> it?  Meaning at what speed could you still hear between character
> elements 

The best I could do with this and related mods was about 25 wpm.

> And did
> it have a deleterious effect on your transmit key form? 

No.

> Also after
> you did the mod did it eliminate the pop, or just reduce it.

Various K2's seem to have different degrees of pops or clicks.  I 
suggest that you look at <http://www.qslnet.de/member/la3za/K2/mod.html> 
and look for related entries.  I found that adding the DSP and the 
KPA100 complicates getting clean QSK.  I don't want to go into detail, 
because my own observations have been inconsistent and I've made and 
unmade so many changes that I'm confused about what works and what doesn't!
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco