[Elecraft] Modifying the K2 for use as an IF radio for the microwave bands

[Don Wilhelm]

Steve,

Re: Low Power takeoff point in the K2.

A low power output from the K2 is available if you simply remove jumper 
W6, BUT (and a BIG BUT) is that the power takeoff will be uncontrolled.
You have to drive the VRFDET line to send the power level back to the 
MCU to control the power - the K60XV detects the RF voltage and 
amplifies the DC level with the components in the XVTR ALC portion of 
the K60XV schematic.  So, if you do not use the HF bands, you could 
eliminate a lot of the K60XV circuitry.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/18/2017 3:14 PM, Steve Kavanagh via Elecraft wrote:
> 
> (2) Using the K60XV transverter interface (W3FPR) - I thought about that option and eventually decided against it, primarily because of the extreme sensitivity of the K60XV output to RF signals getting into it and causing the K2 receiver to shut down (an odd quirk of the circuitry and firmware). Using a modified version is an interesting possibility which didn't occur to me - maybe enough space could be freed up to build a filter or buffer amp on the original board to fix that problem! I do have a K60XV in my other K2 which I have used with good results on 50/144/222/432 MHz, but it does require an external filter on the output RF jack to prevent weirdness from happening when other nearby transmitters are active!
>