[Elecraft] K2 Performance question

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Don is quite right - a small investment in an XG2 or, if the pocket book
allows an XG3 will provide you with numbers. But numbers are only part of
the picture. 

If your noise level jumps up when you connect the antenna, using the minimum
bandwidth your might choose, the K2 is as sensitive as it is possible for it
to be. That's because two things control "sensitivity":

1) Bandwidth. The narrower the band pass the less noise energy is passed to
your ears, so a signal in that band pass has a better signal-to-noise ratio:
its more likely audible to you.

2) Noise Figure: All receivers have internal noise. The goal is to have the
internal noise below that which will be inserted from the antenna. That's
what you can check by seeing that the noise heard increases when you connect
the antenna. If not, then your sensitivity is limited by the internal noise
- not a good thing. This usually is NOT an issue at HF. It starts to become
an issue above 21 or 28 MHz, and is definitely a concern at 50 MHz and
above. That's because atmospheric noise is so low at the higher frequencies,
making it necessary to have a very "quiet" receiver. 

73, Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of jacob chambers
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 7:10 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Performance question

Dear Group;

As I use my beloved K2 - and keep adding options - I wonder...
Since it is a kit, and one I did not build, how can I be sure it is giving
the best performance in terms of sensitivity? Is there an easy way to
determine if it is giving its all? 
I know a test lab would work, which unfortunately I lack, and I can do some
sensitivity comparisons with my other rigs, but short of a full re-alignment
is there anything? 

BTW I have no reason to believe it is anything but great!

73;
Jacob K4JQV 
Lexington, KY 

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