[Elecraft] K2 Volume and Sensitivity

[TRBOAG at aol.com]

((I have K2 06660 with KAT-100, KDSP2, KNB2-R, KPA100-R, KSB2-R,  KUSB 
installed.))
((Currently in process of replacing KSB2's U3 for SSB problem. Can  not 
transmit SSB. (Posted on this site last week and got 3 direct responses  within 
several hours! New part fm. Elecraft in 2 days!)))
 
Kit is assem, aligned as directed in var.  instrs.
 
I notice max. audio volume not very high  - thru spkr. or headph., barely 
enuf w AF Gain up all the  way. KDSP [AFIL] and XFIL set to FL1 and SF1 in def. 
config. NB off.  Tried turn off AGC but no signif. chg. in perf.
 
W/ auto-tuner, using Elecraft 1:1 balun (in wprf. box) and  temp. 50 ft 
dipole at abt. 8 ft /gnd outside. Better (dipole and later  vert) when stops 
raining.. and I get busy.
 
A notice sensitivity not great. Get reception all  bands and, w noise source, 
can find it on all bands. Hear some  stations (CW and Phone) on 80M and 40M 
bands with occas. sigs. other  bands - but then conds. poor & so is antenna.
 
Curious why, even tho. hear some sigs, must always use preamp  [PRE} and S 
Meter never shows anything, maybe a S1 but never  higher. Compared sensitivity w 
portable Sony ICF-SW7600 and heard more  signals (and noise too, and 
birdies!) on the Sony. 
 
What do other K2 owners suggest re making sure that alignment and  
sensitivity are per-specs?
 
73 DE AF6TB, Tom
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