[Elecraft] K2 freq calibration...

[Don Wilhelm]

Brett,

You ask several questions, and I will delay on all of them except the 
one about calibration.
You are relying on too many variables when setting the 4 MHz reference 
oscillator.
To reduce those variables, use the "N6KR" method that is documented at 
http://www.elecraft.com/Apps/K2%20C22%20Adjust%20App%20Note.pdf.  If you 
can tune WWV accurately, all other variables are cancelled out by that 
method.

You may also find helpful information in the K2 Dial Calibration article 
on my website www.w3fpr.com.  For your restriceted SSB audio, consider 
the comments in that article about the low frequency corner of the SSB 
filter passband carefully - 300 Hz is the 'magic' frequency.

After you get the dial calibration correct (within 20 Hz or less), ask 
about the other items.

73,
Don W3FPR


Brett Gazdzinski wrote:
> I am having a hard time getting the frequency calibration on my K2 closer 
> than 80 Hz.
> I set the osc to exactly 4Mhz, plus or minus a Hz on the pro3 switching 
> between usb and lsb, it also agrees with the HP spectrum analyzer, I then 
> run the cal pll, and the bfo calibration, and when tuning in ssb signals, 
> they sound normal 80 or more Hz higher than they should (as tuned in on the 
> pro 3).
>
> Is this as good as it gets on ssb?
> I have compared CW signals between the two rigs and they are very close, 
> within about 10 Hz on 80 meters anyway.
>
> It seems the freq counter, pll cal, and bfo all sort of interact, but if the 
> freq counter calibration is spot on, why the 80 Hz difference?
> (80 Hz is as close as I have gotten it in many attempts)
>
> Also, is it normal for the non ssb filters to look SO bad on spectrogram??
>
> I got the ssb option on Tuesday, it was done Tuesday night, the antenna 
> tuner was done Wednesday, no problems with them, no missing parts, no 
> issues, I made my first ssb contact yesterday on 80 meters using the hand 
> mic from the pro 3.
> SSB from the K2 sounds good in the pro 3, the report I got said it sounded a 
> bit restricted, the hand mic sounds poor on the pro 3...
>
> What would be a nice sounding microphone to use with the K2?
>
> Also, I have been thinking of taking down the home made G5RV and trying an 
> alpha delta dx-lb plus (160 through 10), the G5RV does not seem to work as 
> good as the 40 meter dipole on 40, and its likely worse on other bands...
>
> Anyone got anything bad to say about the dx-lb plus, I know its not as good 
> as a full size 160 m antenna, but I have about 110 feet max between trees.
>
> I sure am enjoying the K2!
>
>
> Brett
> N2DTS
>   
>