[Elecraft] K2 initial impressions

[jerry]

Hi Don,

   I do have the original manual.  I also found a quick reference card.
Printed it out in color, double sided, cut it down to size, and 
laminated
it.

                     - Jerry




On 2021-06-25 15:03, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Jerry,
> 
> You will quickly get used to the UI.  If you do not have a manual,
> download one from Elecraft.
> As another 'helper' one of my friends who was just getting used to the
> K2 created a chart of all buttons with their functions as well as the
> menu.  You can download that chart from my website www.w3fpr.com. 
> Look near the bottom of the home page for the link to the chart.  If
> you print it, you can make it into a handy tri-fold that is a
> convenient 'accessory' to the K2.
> 
> The CW/CW-R situation is definitely associated with the BFO 
> frequencies.
> There are 4 filter widths for each mode and a BFO for upper sideband
> and another for lower sideband associated with each filter.
> 
> I would wait until you have the KSB2 installed and do any upgrades
> that you want before trying to align the filters and their BFOs. If
> you change the RF board crystals, you will need to realign the filters
> and BFOs - likewise with the addition of the KSB2 option. The KSB2
> option instructions give you some suggested settings, but you can do a
> lot better by running the K2 audio into an audio spectrum analyzer
> running on your computer - the visual display of the receive passband
> makes that task easy.
> You will need the internal counter probe if one was not included with
> your K2, Elecraft does sell a kit of parts.
> 
> I can give you help with the Dial Calibration and Filter alignment.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 6/25/2021 4:08 PM, jerry wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> 
>>   My new ( to me ) K2 arrived yesterday, far in advance of when Ebay 
>> said it would.  Color me happy :).  I just ordered the SSB adapter.
>> 
>>   My first impressions:  The UI is a little cryptic - a general 
>> weakness of things with small displays and few knobs/switches/buttons, 
>> but really not too bad.  I've already got most of the buttons 
>> memorized.
>> 
>>   Receive is nice & quiet.  When I disconnect the antenna, there is 
>> very little internal hiss.  The AF gain control was scratchy at first, 
>> but quieted right down with a little use.
>> 
>>   Had my first QSO with it - with Don Huff, W6JL.  Don gave me a good 
>> report.  Even though I was only
>> running 10 watts.
>> 
>>   I notice that the band noise changes tone between "CW" and "CW R".  
>> Could that be symptomatic of a misadjusted BFO?  Also WWV is a little 
>> off - switching from CW & CW-R changes the beat note.  Looking forward 
>> to getting into this; Ebay just yielded up a GPSDO ( GPS-disciplined 
>> oscillator ) which is supposed to emit 10Mhz accurate to a tiny 
>> fraction of a Hertz.
>> 
>>   I'll want to start inspecting the radio to see what needs updating.
>>