[Elecraft] K2 and Rigblaster plus II

[jperelst]

The K2 works fine with RIGblasters, SignaLinks, Donner Digital Interfaces,
and any number of TNCs.  For the RIGblasters, I plug into the Mic input jack
and into the headphone output jack.  As Don has mentioned, you can add a
fixed output modification.

On the K2, as opposed to most rigs, you do NOT want to set your power on
full and then control output power with the input gain control (which is the
technique described in the RIGblaster manuals).  Instead, set your output
power to the desired output power (e.g., 20 watts on PSK) and control ALC
with the input gain control.  Aim for 0 or 1 bar of ALC.  You control input
gain by setting the rig's input gain level to 1 (SSbA) and turning off
compression (SSbC) AS WELL AS controlling the output volume from the
computer and also using the transmit power control on the RIGblaster Plus II
itself.  Use both the output volume from the computer and the transmit power
control on the RIGblaster, not just one or the other.

Remember that you do not want high power on most digitial modes.  20w is
usually more than enough for things like PSK31, Olivia, etc.

The digital modes are continuous or near-continuous duty cycle -- which is a
much higher duty cycle than either SSB or CW.  If you have the KPA100, the
finals will get very hot during digital operation -- even at 20 watts.  That
will cause drift in your transmitted signal, which will annoy other
operators.  It will also make others jealous because of your ability to fry
up a couple of eggs while operating.  Get yourself a 12v DC muffin fan 
(1-2" radius) to put on top of the rig and draw in more air (exhaust facing
up, away from the rig).   Some double-sided tape will hold it in place.

As Don has helped me discover, there are many things in the shack that can
cause RFI that will distort your signal.  For example, I had a powered
external USB hub connected to my computer that was generating enough RFI to
totally destroy my PSK signal.  I also had a small "electric eye" nightlight
in the shack that was causing considerable damage to the signal.  I've put
ferrite beads and cores and whatever on every wire into and out of the rig
and tested my output with a dummy load and oscilloscope -- and I don't put
anything new into the shack until I've checked its impact as shown on the
scope.

Jon
KB1QBZ


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