Hi Randy, I have used PSK31 with my K2 (S/N 4751) for about 2 years and have been on PSK for about 6 years total. I originally bought an original "Rigblaster" ( original serial port version) for my IC706MIIG and later adapted the RJ45 connectors for the ICOM radio to interface with the K2 8 pin mike socket (i.e., I made an RJ45 to 8 pin cable and changed the internal jumpers to Kenwood). Because I use an Elecraft supplied Heil desk mike, I have the mike biasing resistor internal to the radio as opposed to within the mike connector as many people use (i.e., for different mike selections). I have used Digipan exclusively since I went on PSK31 and am now used V 1.7. My computers are totally obsolete (either a Pentium 200 MHz desktop clone that's about 10 years old or a 350 MHz laptop for Field Day). In either case, the K2 has always worked great with this setup in the shack or in the field. I typically run 12 watts (i.e., using a heat sink finger touch temperature sensing test every 2-5 minutes - it never gets hot for normal QSO's), and for high use operations like field day, I direct fan cooling air over the heat sink. The official Elecraft position for PSK31 ops is 5 watts.
The only problem that I had was in building the cable where I forgot that the opposite end connections of CAT cables are 180 deg different. After I mastered this problem, I had one field day cable to 8 pin connector cold solder joint failure. Other than these two cable problems, I have had 0 PSK problems, and none at all with the K2. BTW - I'm not wedded to the RigBlaster (although it has worked flawlessly and WMR is a responsive vendor - I just used what I had on hand). If I were to do it again, I'd probably homebrew an interface first or buy a commercial one as a second choice. Good luck with PSK31. Les WA3SGZ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
