[Elecraft] K2 drift

[Don Wilhelm]

Bernie,

I think there are possibly two different problems.
If you have to use RIT when you change filters, then your filters are 
not set up properly.  If you need information on setting the K2 filters, 
refer to my website www.w3fpr.com article on K2 Dial Calibration.  The 
frequency shift between filters might be as high as 20 Hz, but that is 
not audible in SSB but can be noticed in CW, but is still not enough to 
require RIT for correction.

If you observe significant drift during a long QSO (and you have not 
changed filters), then you have a problem with either the BFO frequency 
changing or the PLL/VFO changing frequencies.
A K2 above SN3000 should have the new BFO inductor and the Temperature 
Compensated PLL which normally produces a stable frequency.  If your K2 
is earlier than SN 3000, add those upgrade kits unless they have already 
been added.

A bad solder connection can cause jumps in frequency as can bad BFO 
crystals or a bad PLL crystal.  The most common problem is a bad solder 
connection - bad BFO or PLL crystals are low on the list of suspects.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/11/2015 12:13 PM, Bernie KF0QS wrote:
> Dear OM's and YL's:
>
> Twice, I've had people tell me my K2 (which I've had on the air for over 3
> years) drifts a bit in frequency.  Both times have occurred during long
> QSO's so it appears to be a slight drift.
>
> This phenomenon may also explain something else that happens.  Whenever I
> set up the filter settings, they work well for a while.  After a while, the
> sweet spot (i.e., the point at which the heard signal is in the middle of
> the filter bandpass) seems to migrate eventually to about 1khz below
> wherever I set it (at least that's where I have to move the RIT to hear the
> signal when I switch in the filters).
>
> Is there a common fix for both these problems, or am I experiencing two
> different things.  Any help you can give would be appreciated.
>
>