K2 minimum power our

[Bill N2BC]

I'm considering a K2.  The power out spec says <.5W... how much less?  
I'm not much of a QRP op, my amplifier only needs 100 to 150mW.  If the
K2 will reliably go to 100mW or less I can skip inserting an attenuator
and simplify T/R switching.

Happy holidays to all de Bill N2BC

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[Bill Coleman-2]

On Dec 24, 2005, at 10:22 PM, Bill Coleman N2BC wrote:

> I'm considering a K2.  The power out spec says <.5W... how much  
> less?  I'm not much of a QRP op, my amplifier only needs 100 to  
> 150mW.  If the K2 will reliably go to 100mW or less I can skip  
> inserting an attenuator and simplify T/R switching.

Well, Bill, if your output needs are that low, I suggest you add the  
K60XV module and use the transverter outputs to drive your amplifier.

The K2 will go below .5 watts, but the power output at that level  
isn't super accurate.

THIS Bill Coleman has owned a K2/100 for over 3 years now. It's a  
fabulous radio. You won't be disappointed.

73

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: [hidden email]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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[EricJ-2]

I'm using my K2 right now at 100 mW (across a DL-1 dummy load measured with
a DMM) as a VFO for a Drake 2-NT. I key the K2 with the 2-NT and still have
decent QSK. Works great!

It should do the job for you as well. You can see the lash-up at:

http://www.ke6us.com/boatanchors.htm

Eric
KE6US
www.ke6us.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Bill Coleman N2BC
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2005 7:22 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 minimum power our

I'm considering a K2.  The power out spec says <.5W... how much less?  
I'm not much of a QRP op, my amplifier only needs 100 to 150mW.  If the
K2 will reliably go to 100mW or less I can skip inserting an attenuator and
simplify T/R switching.

Happy holidays to all de Bill N2BC

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[Ed - K9EW]

My K2 will usually go down to 100mW, but it's a borderline power level and
pretty touchy.  When I go into the TUNE position, it will sometimes indicate
not enough power to make an SWR measurement.  I've found it more reliable
and accurate to set it at 1W, and use a 10dB pad on the output.  If you're
driving another stage with the K2, the 10dB pad will provide excellent
isolation and your K2 will never see more than a 2:1 SWR.  The only problem
is in the receive mode; you'll have to switch out the 10dB pad for best
receive performance.

Hope this answers your question.

73,
ed - k9ew

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Bill,

The K2 will go down to 0.1 watts, and there is a mod that will allow the
power control circuits to increast that by a factor of 10, so it will
control down to 0.01 watts - see
http://www.madisoncounty.net/~kj5tf/K2mWmod.htm for the details, but if you
are driving an amplifier with it, note well the cautions about potential
increased spurious output, in other words, check with a spectrum analyzer
before using it on the air.

I would think a much better way to handle it would be to add an attenuator
inside the amplifier so th eK2 can be operated in the 1 watt range where it
is more stable at maintaining a constant power out than at the extremely low
levels.  I am assuming that the amp is switched out during receive, and if
the attenuator is located inside the switched circuit, the antenna would be
connected directly to the K2 during receive periods with no other provisions
for switching the attenuator out of the circuit.

73 and Happy Holidays,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I'm considering a K2.  The power out spec says <.5W... how much less?
> I'm not much of a QRP op, my amplifier only needs 100 to 150mW.  If the
> K2 will reliably go to 100mW or less I can skip inserting an attenuator
> and simplify T/R switching.
>
> Happy holidays to all de Bill N2BC
>

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