[Elecraft] K2/100 running Digital modes using VOX...

[Don Wilhelm]

Steve,

In contrast to the K3, attempting to use VOX with digital modes on the 
K2 is quite cumbersome - by the time you get enough audio to trip the 
VOX, you will be overdriving the K2 for purposes of the best IMD.

Connect up that spare serial port with the simple circuit (one 
transistor, a diode, a capacitor and one or two resistors) to provide 
PTT to the K2 and I believe life will be more sane.

73,
Don W3FPR

STEPHEN W BANKS wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
>  
> Following several years away from digital modes (I preferCW), I 
> recently reconfigured my K2/100 with a RIGblaster-plus interface using 
> its VOX mode to key PSK31 using HRD.  Don Wilhelm was most helpful in 
> educating me about sound card interconnections to the K2.  I'd 
> forgotten his suggestions and found them most helpful. 
>  
> After one very nice first PSK31 QSO using VOX and HRD, the K2 
> now seems to be impossible to run in PSK without encountering 
> an endless need to readjust the interface level control to provide 
> enough mic drive without also encountering what acts like a need for 
> some sort of antiVOX control.  I have a couple of spare COM ports I 
> could connect the interface to, but using VOX seemed like a good first 
> step (and would avoud cable clutter too).
>  
> Since an antitrip control does not exist on the K2 SSB accessory (nor 
> have I ever needed one when using VOX), I reduced mic gain to SSbA to 
> 1 and I adjusted SSbC to 1-1.  My few ordinary voice SSB QSOs all 
> seemed to prefer  that the MH2 be set to the next higher levels of 
> compression and gain; however both settings fared well in signal 
> reports from other hams.
>  
> Has anyone ever encountered a similar 'fussiness' over getting a 
> workable combination of level adjustments with his/her K2 using VOX?
>  
> Just FYI, I run the power control between 10 and 20 watts in order to 
> avoid overloading the finals in the high duty- cycle digital modes demand.
>  
> Any suggestions about where to start chasing down this problem would 
> be most appreciated.  And if you care to share your own settings with 
> me, I'll be glad to try them.
>