[Elecraft] Checking K2 sensitivity...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Something that Elecraft offers (that you won't find from other major
manufacturers as far as I know) is a way for you to measure the sensitivity
of your receiver using standard measurement techniques easily and
inexpensively even if you don't have much test equipment. 

You know that sensitivity and volume are two different things. Volume is
easy to achieve. The ability to hear signals down in the band noise is
something else. Once you have enough volume to hear the noise, raising it
won't help dig out that signal. For that you need a better signal-to-noise
ratio.

Elecraft has neat, inexpensive little "mini-kit" calibrated signal
generators that come with instructions on how to measure the sensitivity of
your receiver. They are quick and fun to build with a few simple tools. You
can use one to make accurate measurements of the MDS (minimum discernable
signal) and the Signal-to-Noise-Plus-Noise ratio of your K2 (and any other
receiver) for meaningful side-by-side comparisons as well as a way to check
to see if your rig is still "hearing" as well as it has in the past. 

Check out the XG1 (40 meter only) or XG2 (80/40/20 meter) signal generators
at
http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm

Ron (A shameless endorsement) AC7AC



-----Original Message-----
I am the second owner of K2 #2289. I've built and added a number of options.
But I wonder about its rx sensitivity. I often have to use the preamp on 30
and 20 meters to hear weaker signals. The same is not true of my 756 PRO 2,
at least on the same signals while doing an A/B comparison.

That said, I'd like to know the best way to re-check the rx sensitivity on
my K2. I still prefer it to my PRO 2 for copying CW, especially with narrow
filters kicked in. The PRO 2 has horrible ringing with narrow filters.
Otherwise, it just seems like the PRO 2 has better ears. Some how I don't
think that should be. Maybe my K2 needs tweaking.

73,

Steve N6VL

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