[Elecraft] K2 not dead yet

[Brian Lloyd]

On Apr 21, 2008, at 7:34 AM, Curt Milton wrote:

> Brian
>
> Fine on your progress with this fine rig.  I plan to
> continue to enjoy my own K2 as the flagship rig of my
> station!
>
> On PSK31 and digital modes -- you don't need to modify
> your K2 -- check out the application note posted at
> elecraft.com.

Yes, I have done that. I was going throw together a cable to go into  
the mic input as I have a spare 8-pin mic connector floating around.

> essentially all you need is a stereo
> cable on receive, a mic connector and a few parts on
> transmit, and some means to do the T/R switching.

VOX. But one of the advantages of the K2 is using the narrow filter on  
PSK so that only the desired signal affects the AGC. That implies  
doing my tuning with the main tuning rather than just point-n-click on  
the computer. Frankly I find that being able to hear the audio is very  
helpful in tuning to get the signal to the center of the passband.  
That means I need to hear the signal at the same time I am feeding it  
to my computer.

> The kids will 'resonate' with PSK31 based upon their
> other PC experiences.

Surprisingly they have not taken to PSK31 at all. I have one of the  
school computers connected to the Icom IC-706mkII through a  
RigBlaster. (The IC-706 sucks as a PSK rig.) I also built a 1W PSK31  
rig at school (a Small Wonder PSK-20) and the kids occasionally use  
that as well. They would much rather get on the local repeater or call  
CQ on 20M. Who knows.

> Remember to run the K2 at approx half power when doing
> the digital modes !!

I would expect that to prevent too much temperature rise on the  
finals. We are, after all, only talking 3dB.

> I have seen PSK31 at field day, and it tends to be
> rather tough in the pile-ups -- so calling CQ may be
> preferred if you run QRP-battery/solar.  Meanwhile
> PSK31 may be ideal for non-contest operating with your
> youth.

Definitely. Good point on using PSK on field day. I wasn't thinking  
about that. We certainly could.

> This is NOT the ideal time for QRP-SSB !  You just
> might need that amp.

Definitely. The kids are already making progress on it. I hope to have  
it done by the end of school (May 31). As much as I like QRP, this is  
not the time for QRP in anything except CW, PSK, or some form of MFSK.

> Do check the calendar for kids-day events, as this may
> charm them more than an array of 599 my state-is
> reports.  And consider scheds to other schools or
> kids.  Here in Maryland, a contact station is KI3DS.

I have been coordinating with other schools through the ARRL program.  
The major problem has been the bands being dead and a high noise level  
at the school QTH.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

--

73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com