[Elecraft] K2 Antenna Tolerance

[Don Wilhelm]

Tom,

Although unspecified, the bare-bones K2 will likely be OK working into a 
1.5 SWR.

However, the power control mechanism may suffer a bit.  The basic K2 
measures the RF voltage on the output and the MCU computes the power out 
assuming that the load is 50 ohms resistive, so with *any* SWR, that 
calculation may be in error.
If you find the power output of the K2 is not close to that which was 
requested by the power knob, that is the most likely reason. You may 
experience HiCur warnings (and power in excess of the requested value) 
if the antenna impedance is low, or if the impedance is higher then 50 
ohms, the power output will be lower than requested.

Adding the KAT2 or KPA100 or the KAT100 will cure that dependency 
because those options have real wattmeters that once calibrated tell the 
MCU the actual power output.

A tuner may be in order unless you plan to add one or more of the K2 
options that *cure* this behavior.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/4/2013 5:39 PM, Tom Field wrote:
> I've just finished my K2 bare bones, and would like to get on the air. What
> SWR will the finals tolerate without harm? I'm using a ground mounted trap
> vertical
>
> Tom
> KI6NRD
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