K2 and Rigblaster plus II

[pchamilt1126]

Folks,

Does anyone have experience installing a Rigblaster Plus II for use with a K2?  I would like to get into digital modes (my CW is way too poor). I am using a fairly new computer running Win XP.

73 es THX

KE7UAE




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[Don Wilhelm-4]

  Setting up most any digital interface for use with the K2 is a similar
task - that is if you break it down into 3 pieces of communication with
the K2.  The remainder is specific to getting the jumpers set correctly
in the interface box to direct the signals to the proper wires in the K2
to interface box cable(s).

The first consideration is audio input to the K2 - this is normally
straightforward, just use the microphone AF pin for the path and set the
level using a trimmer pot in the interface box.

The second is the audio output from the K2.  The simple method is to use
the K2 headphone (or external speaker) audio output, but that output
will vary with the setting of the AF Gain control (just set it at
something like the 10 o'clock position).  For a more advanced solution,
look at the W3FPR Fixed Audio Output for the K2 on my website
www.w3fpr.com and also at the updated board layout for the same circuit
on Tom Hammond's website www.n0ss.net.  No boards are available now, but
the circuit is easy enough to wire on a piece of perfboard.

The 3rd (and last) element is how to activate transmit.  That is
normally done with a PTT output from the interface box.  That can be
connected to the K2 at the microphone jack PTT pin, or the dot contact
of the key jack.  If you are using Ham Radio Deluxe (or another
application that can set transmit using a CAT command to the K2), you
can eliminate the PTT input to the K2 and simply connect to the KIO2 (if
that option is installed).

These are the normal ways an interface box is connected to the K2.  I
have not been specific about your Rigblaster, but if you want to
understand a bit about "which you are connecting to what", study my
notes above and then relate them to your particular interface box
instructions.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/31/2010 1:42 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

>
> Folks,
>
> Does anyone have experience installing a Rigblaster Plus II for use with a K2?  I would like to get into digital modes (my CW is way too poor). I am using a fairly new computer running Win XP.
>
> 73 es THX
>
> KE7UAE
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

______________________________________________________________
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[jperelst]

The K2 works fine with RIGblasters, SignaLinks, Donner Digital Interfaces, and any number of TNCs.  For the RIGblasters, I plug into the Mic input jack and into the headphone output jack.  As Don has mentioned, you can add a fixed output modification.

On the K2, as opposed to most rigs, you do NOT want to set your power on full and then control output power with the input gain control (which is the technique described in the RIGblaster manuals).  Instead, set your output power to the desired output power (e.g., 20 watts on PSK) and control ALC with the input gain control.  Aim for 0 or 1 bar of ALC.  You control input gain by setting the rig's input gain level to 1 (SSbA) and turning off compression (SSbC) AS WELL AS controlling the output volume from the computer and also using the transmit power control on the RIGblaster Plus II itself.  Use both the output volume from the computer and the transmit power control on the RIGblaster, not just one or the other.

Remember that you do not want high power on most digitial modes.  20w is usually more than enough for things like PSK31, Olivia, etc.

The digital modes are continuous or near-continuous duty cycle -- which is a much higher duty cycle than either SSB or CW.  If you have the KPA100, the finals will get very hot during digital operation -- even at 20 watts.  That will cause drift in your transmitted signal, which will annoy other operators.  It will also make others jealous because of your ability to fry up a couple of eggs while operating.  Get yourself a 12v DC muffin fan  (1-2" radius) to put on top of the rig and draw in more air (exhaust facing up, away from the rig).   Some double-sided tape will hold it in place.

As Don has helped me discover, there are many things in the shack that can cause RFI that will distort your signal.  For example, I had a powered external USB hub connected to my computer that was generating enough RFI to totally destroy my PSK signal.  I also had a small "electric eye" nightlight in the shack that was causing considerable damage to the signal.  I've put ferrite beads and cores and whatever on every wire into and out of the rig and tested my output with a dummy load and oscilloscope -- and I don't put anything new into the shack until I've checked its impact as shown on the scope.

Jon
KB1QBZ