[Elecraft] K2 voltage requirement

[wayne burdick]

Vic K2VCO wrote:

> When operating a QRP K2 in the field with a battery, how low can the 
> battery voltage go
> before there are problems with signal quality?
>
> Will it work down to 10.5v?

Hi Vic,

We designed the K2 with low-voltage field conditions in mind (after 
all, we dreamed up the rig during field day, running a NorCal Sierra 
from a nearly-dead Gel-cell). Both transmit and receive are stable down 
to about 9 V, although maximum transmit power output will be reduced.

Here's a table from our transceiver performance comparison page. It 
shows the recommended maximum power output setting vs. supply voltage 
for the K2 (measured at the DC input jack in transmit mode).

DC VOLTAGE  	POWER OUTPUT
    9.0 V         2.0 W
    9.5 V         5.0 W
   10.0 V 	        7.0 W
   10.5 V 	       10.0 W

The K3, too, works at lower voltages than other rigs in its class. We 
spec the minimum at 11 V, but it will remain rock-stable down to about 
9.5 V.

Both rigs will back down the transmit power at low voltages 
automatically, if you forget to :)

73,
Wayne
N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com