[Elecraft] How2 K2 as RX with TS-450 as TX ?

[Dave G4AON]

Sam, I've done this with a K3 (TX) and K2 (RX) combination. It's fairly
easy, well that is except for obtaining an RX output from the TS-450S. I
have never seen one of these Kenwood radios, this is how I operated my
K2 as an external 2nd RX from my K3:

A) The K3 and many other transceivers have an external receiver loop,
with the K3 this needs the KXV3 transverter interface.

B) If you also want to receive on the 450, you will need to make a
ferrite splitter. This will result in a 3 dB loss of signal but can be
switched out of circuit to give RX only on the main transceiver
depending on the transceiver (K3 has an RX ANT button that does this).
The wiring details for a splitter are about halfway down the K3 page at:
http://www.astromag.co.uk/k3/

C) To mute the K2 from the other transceiver, key it on transmit using
the linear keying line of the main radio (set key input to "hand", it
will key/mute the radio on SSB as well as CW). My K2 has the external RX
antenna socket courtesy of the K160RX option, so I can connect to it's
RX only BNC socket and put a dummy load on the main socket. Set the K2
to zero power, zero level side tone on CW, set the TX/RX delay perhaps a
bit longer than you normally would for QSK.

D) If you also want to use a linear, make a diode splitter box. It needs
2 x 1N4001 diodes, cathodes of both connect together and to the main
radio linear output line, one anode to the linear, the other anode to
the K2 key in socket... This isolates the linear and K2 keying lines.

E) To have both radios tune together from the main radio, link them with
Ham Radio Deluxe (Synch feature). Again I don't know if the TS450 has a
serial socket, but the K3 - K2 combination work together like this, you
can have the K3 drive the K2 tuning, with the K2 being independently
tunable until you move the K3 tuning knob (or vice versa depending on
which way you synch them in HRD).

You can also work this the other way around, I have used my K2 as the
transmitter for a K2 and Drake R4A combination, see:
http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/K2externalRX.pdf

Almost every day I run my Perseus receiver off the ferrite splitter on
the back of my K3, linking both with HRD as described above. Being able
to "click and go" on signals seen on the Perseus makes for very easy CW
operating when the bands are fairly quiet... Much better than endlessly
tuning around.

Hope that wasn't too much detail!

73 Dave, G4AON
--------------------------------

Using the same antenna,
I want to use my K2 as the receiver
while using my TS-450S as the transmitter.

I know I will need to switch the antenna from one rig to the other,
and somehow protect and mute the K2 during transmit.
How can I accomplish this?
What circuit could I build?
Where would I find a muting capability in the K2?

TIA
-- 
GB & 73
KA5OAI