Hi everyone,
I am forwarding this partial email thread from the Moon-net list to
everyone here on the Elecraft list in hopes to generate a good
discussion (not a flame war!) on the use of the K2 for weak signal use.
I would appreciate hearing all responses to this subject because I was
considering using the K2 (or maybe the K3?) for weak signal work
someday. What are the major strengths/weaknesses of the K2 in this area,
and what can be done to improve this.
There are some very knowledgable people on this list and your experience
in this area would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony K4YYZ
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sergio
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 4:08 AM
To: D.W. Harms
Cc: Moon Net
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Elecraft K2 IF for EME
All,
I used to have a K2 and I share the same comments you have mentioned as
well as Shawn's one. Aside a number of minor things, I was mostly
annoyed by the bad ripple of the IF filters too, which is not a trivial
thing. They kept the filters area still at a 'very kit level' , maybe it
would have been better to put some extra effort there.
Another major draw back for me it was the 10Hz step tuning, which with
the very tight DSP set at maybe 50Hz BW it didn't really ensure a proper
operation in CW/weak signals. Yes one could eventually set the RIT as
the 'fine resolution tune' but then the split function was lost and, in
my case, I could not compensate the doppler anymore thus being obliged
to use another rig in TX...
This is just to report my practical experience, it is not my intention
to bias any soul. Aside this, I also have to report that building the
radio was definitely a nice experience bringing a lot of satisfaction
and excitement during its progression.
Sergio IK2MMB
D.W. Harms wrote:
Hi Don e.e.
Besides my home mde transceiver I have the K2 with a built in DEM
transvertor (144-28 ECK) in use since Januari 2004.
In combination with the transvertor it slightly outperforms my home
made
transceiver. I can highly recommend the radio!
There are only two things that bother me:
1. The throughput gain on 28 MHz seems to be low. I made a seperate
output
on the rig to bring the 28 MHz signal to my Drake R7/Tr7 combination
and I
have obviously more signal there. This of course could influance the
overall noise floor...
The K2 really marvels at the lower HF-bands, but the front-end filters
on
28 MHz are not that good. That is probably why the excellent
strong-signal
behaviour for which the K2 is well-known, is not too obvious on 28
MHz. I
sometimes think about replacing the frontend filters, or to change the
IF
to 14 MHz.
2. The IF-filter seems to produce some ripple, as reported by another
ham
here on moonnet. Of course this is a killer in weak signal work! I
have
not noticed it myself, but heard others (PA0CHN) complain about it.
It was fun building the radio during the x-mas holidays together with
my
youngest son. So if you are looking for a heatkit-like project, then
go
for it!
It is a superb radio for portable work. I use it in combination with a
300W mosfet amp for MS-work and have good experiences. It is probably
much
better than the average portbale multi-multi band rice-boxes...
I am not too sure yet if it is the best radio for weak-signal EME
work. I
have to do some more investigation. It is hard to judge given the
fact
that I have lots of urban noise, something that EVERY radio would
suffer
from hi!
I also saw a remark about microphones. Well, I have used the K2 wit
both
an electret and a MD-microphone. Both worked well, though you should
not
expect HIFI reports... But then again, I am no fone-fan so I dont
bother
too much...
VY 73, Dick PA2DW
Is anyone using the Elecraft K2 transceiver on 28 MHz as the IF in
an
EME system? If so I would appreciate your evaluation of the K2 in
terms
of receive capability of weak EME cw signals. Please reply direct
to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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