To: | cq-contest@contesting.com |
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Subject: | [CQ-Contest] Re: CQ-Contest] K2 and contesting - Impressions? |
From: | VR2BrettGraham <vr2bg@harts.org.hk> |
Date: | Wed, 21 Jan 2004 01:38:23 +0000 |
List-post: | <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com> |
N4GI contributed:I've had a K2/100 in the shack for a couple of months now with my MP, and have operated a a few contests. Some observations: Same here with Dunestars & I remember sweeping them once & they looked reasonable. However, with the fold back I'm still able to get enough drive for my amps. Speaking of drive for amps, the ramping of output power on first transmission after a band change is a little annoying, especially when power level control was left in wrong position for the amount of drive needed on that band (supposedly will be toned down in firmware out shortly). I also notice power level fluctuations over time which apparently a mod will bring down to a reasonable amount (if you are using an 8877 amp, be careful!). - Having the DOT of the keying line equal PTT is a real disaster when setting up a 2radio switch box. I've yet to do a SSB contest fully 2radio until I figure out a way to fix it. This is really annoying! This particular item was just mentioned on the Elecraft list & I still have yet to get my head around whatever it is that makes this feature so good... if the TUNE button isn't good enough, jam something in the key jack & short that to get a carrier... If you follow the DOT/PTT line around the schematic, it looks like this might be able to be dealt with by firmware, as the line basically goes straight to an MCU. More noise from the contest community might get this considered for a future firmware release. - I'm having a bear of a time getting my sound card to drive the rig. The Proset Plus does fine. Again, no 2R SSB till I get this fixed (without messing up the drive of the MP... any suggestions?)
- The menu interface is going to take some learning on my part, specially in the heat of action. I'm working on putting N4PY's software to work with Writelog to help out with that.
I find that programming A/B, XFIL & AFIL front panel button equivalents as function keys in TRlog to be very handy. This is also the way to clear the RIT as the current K2 firmware can't clear the RIT with the customary embedded "clear" character in a memory. - I prefer the k2 RX to that of my MP, and I like the fact that it has a sound that isn't to "different" from my MP. I found that I got fatigued fast while listening to an Icom in one ear and the MP in the other I concur & would imagine it would be even better with some INRADs in there. I think the original query also asked about RTTY - one must be sure to set the BFOs/filters up correctly, otherwise you will transmit in one place & receive in another & depending on BFO range of a particular K2, it may not be possible to set the BFO up to place the traditional high mark/space tones within the passband (mine can't go narrower than 1.2 kc on 18 Mc or below - workaround is DIG-REV mode & flip the TU/TNC or use soundcard/program & use different tones altogether). Otherwise, a great rig that you can work on (important here). The receiver is quite impressive (I can almost throw a rock from my roof & hit the antennas of VR2PX & VR2MY) & Elecraft in general is a refreshing change (example: key click mod that will be out soon). Biggest regret so far was buying a second- hand one & only getting to build the 160m & DSP modules. ;^) 73, VR2BrettGraham --------------------------------------------------------------- The world's top contesters battle it out in Finland! THE OFFICIAL FILM of WRTC 2002 now on professional DVD and VHS! http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~jamesb/ --------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ CQ-Contest mailing list CQ-Contest@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest |
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