[Elecraft] K2 - How good on SSB?

[Curt Milton]

Very interesting question.  When sunspots were good, i never hesitated even on 20m (unless there was a huge pile-up) to speak into the mic of my QRP K2.  It rewarded me with lots of QSOs (using a vertical antenna).    

Recently I decided to check out its IF filtering across busy bands in the ARRL DX SSB contest.  The narrower settings on the main board filter did do a good job of reducing QRM, as it improved with each toggle from 2 to 1.8 to 1.6 settings.  

Things I don't know are:

(1) How well the K2 shape factors of the main board filter compare to typical 1.8 kHz accessory filters in higher end rigs.  Note these typically have a wide ~ 2.4 kHz or wider stock filter and a single selectable narrow filter.  

(2) How well the K2 speech processor works in comparison to other rigs.  

I have no reason to discern any limitations for these - i just don't have any information other than casual use.  

At one time I thought that not having passband tuning (IF shift) was a 'big limitation.'  But now I realize its only a big factor on SSB when your filters is wider than needed (as is on many lower end HF rigs).  Some folk have set their SSB filter up to be a quasi-IF shift by having one oriented down and one oriented up on say a 1.8 kHz BW -- but I can't say this is the best use of the 4 available settings.  

(Gee - I know the enterprise would appreciate you buying a second K2, but you can only do one mode at once.  No reason why your existing K2 can't be a CW QRP machine, a SSB machine, and by flipping the lid also a 100w multimode rig. ) 

73, curt


----- Original Message ----
From: Fred (FL) <ncsailors at yahoo.com>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 11:35:05 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 - How good on SSB?


Thinking about building my 2nd K2.  First # 54xx,
was a very sucessful build.

Does anyone have thoughts on how well the K2,
operates, by itself, as a SSB HF rig?  It would
seem 15W is kind of pushing it for a suitable
signal - but just wondered if any successful
K2 SSB ops are around.

And I've always had this belief that 15W is not
enough to drive many or any amps?

Thanks,
Fred, N3CSY



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