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 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Bill N2BC
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 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Bill N2BC
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 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
In reply to this post by Bill N2BC
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 > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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