K2 at WP2Z - comments and questions

[N2TK]

Used my K2 (#3481) at WP2Z the past two weeks. Darn it, the time went fast.
Used it to drive an Alpha 87A. I used a Heil HC-10 headset. This is the
first time I pretty much used K2 exclusively both in a contest and before
and after the contest.  I have a few comments on using the rig and some
questions as to a couple of weird things maybe someone can comment on.

One thing I like about the K2 is it seems to be easy on my ears both for SSB
and CW. And it was sure nice carrying on the plane in a small metal
cushioned case. We keep 12V supplies at WP2Z so didn't have to worry about
that.

Comments:
-          Had an external temperature probe so attached it to the heat
sink. Regardless of which of the three fan setups I used the heat sink would
stabilize on the high end around 50C when having good runs. With the "FAN
nor" the fan would kick in at 40-42C. Room temp was around 25-28C. Power out
to the amp was around 25-32W, depending on the band.
-          Most of the time I had the RF gain control at 2PM and the AF gain
control at 10AM. This produced sufficient audio and also let the strong
signals stand out. This made it easier to keep up a fast run rate.
-          Found I used the preamp on 15M. Preamp was off or used the
attenuator on 20 and 40M. On 80 and 160M used the preamp with a receive
antenna.
-          VOX was set to .2 sec.
-          Used SF2 with OP1. NT was left on. NR was off. I find NR is too
aggressive. Need to play with it to find much less aggressive set points for
at least SF2. Any suggestions? It would be nice to set up the aggressiveness
of the NR depending on the filter position. Maybe it already does that and I
don't know how to set it up?
-          Before and after the contest I used the K2 barefoot on 30, and
60M with the 80M antenna. On 30M I set the power out to 100W and ran them.
On 60M set the power out to 50W and had fun. Don't know what the swr was as
I forget to bring one along this trip. The other bands I used the amp.
-          Before and after the contest I was on CW quite often. Since I was
DX I wasn't concerned about QSK. Wish I was a better CW op.
-          On SSB, except for the one time problem on 15M, I got many good
audio reports. I do have the mod that increases the compression. SSBC is set
at 3 and SSBA is set at 1. Also I have the 2.4KHZ transmit mod.


Problem?
-          One time when I went to 15M SSB their was reported distortion in
my transmit signal and I could hear distortion in the received signal. The
distortion sounded like the AGC was off, the RF gain all the way up and
receiving a strong station. The signals appeared fine on the S-meter. Turned
off rig and power supply for a minute. Powered back up. Everything was fine
after that.
-          Took a break for a couple of hours. When I tried to operate I had
a very hard time tripping the VOX. I literally had to yell into the mike.
SSBA and SSBC had not changed. Turned off the rig and power supply and let
it rest for a minute. When I turned it back on the VOX worked fine.

These two problems are puzzling. Anyone else experience anything like this?

Overall I am very satisfied the way the K2 performed in a contest
environment. Made 9K Q'S in the 2 weeks I was on USVI. Golf, the surf, the
sun and general goof off time got in the way to make more Q's. Can't wait
till I am back there in October. Will take the K2 back with me.

73,
N2TK, Tony



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