Jim,
If everything is built correctly, alignment can proceed with no hitches
or additional equipment. A signal generator is quite handy if you run
into difficulties and need to do some troubleshooting.
For alignment of the bandpass filters during receive, a noise generator
like the Elecraft N-gen can actually work better than the XG3, and the
N-Gen along with a Spectrogram display is the easiest way to align the
IF filters for optimum performance - (see the K2 Dial Calibration
article on my website www.w3fpr.com for the complete procedure).
The receiver bandpass tuning is not as critical as peaking those filters
during transmit (which will come later)
The XG3 (or the XG1 or XG2 for that matter) provides a calibrated
amplitude source that you can use for setting the S-meter deflection.
The XG3 can function as a very good generalized signal generator (when
used with the XG3 Utility) and for that it is a bargain at its price.
What I am saying is that you can accomplish the K2 tuning with no signal
generator at all, but the N-Gen makes the IF filter alignment easier
(when used with Spectrogram) because you can see the entire passband and
place it as desired - but often just listening on an empty and noisy
band will work the same as using the N-Gen..
The XG3 has many other uses around the shack that make it worth the
investment if you will be doing any receiver work (particularly
Troubleshooting using Signal Tracing) in the future.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 8/10/2011 3:56 PM, Jim Stephens wrote:
> Happily building K2 #7141. Reading ahead to the alignment sections. At
> various places the use of a signal generator is suggested (or an alternative
> procedure is described). Will I get a "better" or more precise alignment if
> I use a signal generator? If so, assume the XG3 would work well? Willing
> to buy same if using it improves the alignment process. Thanks for any
> feedback.
>
> Jim Stephens, NX8Z
> Hurricane, West Virginia, USA
>
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