[Elecraft] K2

[Don Wilhelm]

Set up the K2 SSB filters properly for SSB (see my website K2 dial 
calibration article at http://w3fpr.qrpradio.com) and use a high output 
microphone such as the Elecraft MH2 and you will find the K2 a pleasure 
to use on SSB.  With an added mic preamp, even low output microphones 
such as the Heil HC-4 and HC-5 element microphones work great.

The K2 does have one SSB shortcoming, and that is in the VOX - there is 
no anti-VOX, so VOX performance may be lacking a bit because of it.  I 
use PTT for SSB almost exclusively and have no problems.

The K2 does enjoy very good SSB carrier suppression, and can be a very 
good SSB transceiver if it is set up properly - unfortunately, many K2s 
are not set up properly and the 'bad press' is a result.  The BFO/filter 
relationship is critical to the setup required - again see my website 
for optimum filter settings for SSB - the low frequency corner of the 
filter bandpass must be close to 300 Hz.

73,
Don W3FPR

DW Holtman wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have a K1, which I like. I was thinking about getting a K2 while 
> waiting for my K3 (ordered 27 Dec). I went to the E-ham web page and 
> read some of the reviews. There are a lot of people who really do not 
> think too much of the K2. One or two might be some crack pot, but 
> there are a whole bunch of not happy users. All of the magazine 
> reviews seem to love it.
>
> Comments on why the ratings have so many unhappy K2 users? The worst 
> are the users using the K2/100 and most complaints seem to be it's 
> ability on SSB. I guess it was originally designed for a CW rig, so 
> don't expect good performance on SSB?. The reports on the K1 and K3 
> are glowing.
>
> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2357
>
> Best,
> DW Holtman
> WB7SSN
> elecraft.com
>