[Elecraft] Got K2, many questions...

[Brett gazdzinski]

> 1. I need to know about the CAL FIL function. I prefer a CW 
> pitch of 400 Hz.
> The previous owner had it set at 600 Hz. The manual states I 
> might want to
> use CAL FIL to adjust the BFO settings for a new pitch. The 
> problem I am
> having is that I can't get the filters to accept a 400 Hz 
> pitch, even when
> ST P is set to 400. The exception is the 1.5 kHz filter. The 
> 700 Hz filter
> sort of passes a 400 Hz tone. Since I didn't build the K2, I 
> don't have the
> frequency counter test cable mentioned in the CAL FIL 
> section, at least I
> don't think I do.

400 Hz should be no problem, but you must go through all the calibration 
steps to reset the bfo and filters.


>  
> 2. The K2 has the KAT2 internal ATU. I am getting HI CUR warning on an
> antenna that is already matched. The antenna is a ladder line 
> fed delta loop
> through an old 275 watt Johnson Matchbox. I know the antenna 
> is matched for
> the portion I am using. The coax is connected to the ANTENNA  
> BNC instead of
> ANT1 or ANT2. I tried setting ATU to CALP or CALS. I simply 
> want to bypass
> the ATU for home use. But I also want to use the internal SWR 
> function to
> manually tune the Johnson Matchbox. I will try the ANT1 or ANT2 BNC
> connector. Perhaps that is what I should do. Reading the 
> manual couldn't
> hurt either, hi.

Use the built in atu, just hit the tune button and the K2
will get the swr low between the K2 and the matchbox.

Better yet would be to buy a low power balun and hook
the antenna directly to the K2 which can tune and remember
all the band settings so you can jump to any band
and just operate.

In any case, you want to know the swr, power output, and current
at the K2. The slightest swr turns down the power of the K2, even
10 feet of coax between the K2 and a tuner may cause power
reduction/high current.
Also, the current limit is adjustable and may be set too low.


>  
> 3. My last question is about the adding KPA100 option. I wish 
> to keep the
> KAT2 for portable operation. I know the KAT2 and KPA100 
> options are not
> compatible. Can I switch between them in a short amount of 
> time? I have
> heard the top lid can be swapped on the fly to switch between 
> the QRP and
> 100 watt modes. Is this an easy thing to do? I might want to 
> use the KAT2 in
> the field and KPA100 at home.

It takes about 2 minutes to switch, you need to remove
and replace 6 screws and swap 3 connectors inside the rig.


>  
> Do I have any takers on these questions?
>  
> 73,
>  
> Steve N6VL
>  

The K2 with built in tuner is a slick little package,
adding the 100 watt top means a tuner is needed, which 
spoils the slick little package aspect.
Before the K3, I was thinking of mounting the kpa100 with
the 100 watt tuner in one standalone box, that allows the basic
K2 to work as a standalone rig in the field, and as a 100 watt rig
at home, with no changes other than cables between the two boxes.
In either case, you push a button and the antenna is tuned.

Brett
N2DTS