[Elecraft] K2, distorted audio signal

[Jim Brown]

On 7/30/2025 9:53 PM, dyno lab wrote:
> It is amazing how we were able to build radios with only 2 sided PCBs for 50 ohm micro or strip lines.
> Come to think of it, it was actually pretty easy.

It all depends on HOW GOOD. It took micro or stripline to solve that low 
level crosstalk issue with the K3. Like N6BT famously demonstrated when 
he worked all continents in a short time using a light bulb as an 
antenna, "everything works," but doing it better makes stuff work 
BETTER. When I'm trying to work a station over a difficult path, I need 
every fraction of a dB I can squeeze out of both transmitting and 
receiving. I use bigger coax (or hard line for long runs) to get a dB or 
even a fractional dB, get the antenna higher to get a few more, build 
and rig directional RX antennas to hear better.

While I've had lots of fun with stuff that's far from wonderful, I've 
spent much of my life trying do the things I'm interested in BETTER. I 
did that in my professional life, and I've done it with ham radio. And 
I've shared a lot of what I've learned in the hope of helping others do 
the same.

73, Jim K9YC