PSK using a K2

[Pete.Milsom]

Hi All

         Could I have some views on using the K2 for PSK31 ?  Is it a good rig for this mode ? Thanks in advance. 73  de  Pete. G4GSA.
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[Tom KG3V]

Pete,

>From my very limited experience ( a couple days so far), it is a fine
rig for PSK modes. There are others with lots of experience and
opinions, whom I'm sure will give you more details. I put mine on
PSK31 using just a laptop PC and a bunch of cables from radio shack.
Hardest part was wiring up an audio input through a mic plug.

There are fancy hardware interfaces you can buy, and software you can
try for free (mixW is one popular program) and/or buy.

73,

Tom KG3V


On 9/18/07, Pete Milsom <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi All
>
>         Could I have some views on using the K2 for PSK31 ?  Is it a good rig for this mode ? Thanks in advance. 73  de  Pete. G4GSA.
> _______________________________________________
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Pete,

The K2 is quite usable for PSK31.  I recommend that you turn the RTTY
set of filters on in the menu if for no other reason than it allows you
to set the speech compression to 1:1 while having a different
compression setting for SSB.

I also recommend that you set the FL1 filter position the same as you
use for SSB, but set FL2 thru FL4 to something more narrow and centered
on 1000 Hz.  I normally set the narrow filters at 1.00, 0.70 and 0.40.  
The narrow filters will allow you to receive without strong signals near
a weaker one that you want to work from taking over the receiver - the
way to use it is to tune your desired signal (with the VFO) to the
vicinity of 1000 Hz, set the filter width desired then click on the
signal in the waterfall display.  Also in the PSK31 computer application
you should lock the transmit frequency because there may be a slight (up
to 20 Hz) shift in the signal when changing from filter to filter.  
Locking the transmit frequency will keep the QSO from 'walking up or
down the band'.

Use whatever interface that you want, or build your own - they are not
complex, and adjust the audio levels for good transmit IMD and a good
display on the waterfall.  Keep the power within bounds for continuous
duty cycle operation - limit power to about 5 watts with the base K2 or
35 watts with the KPA100.  That is all there is to it.

73,
Don W3FPR

Pete Milsom wrote:
> Hi All
>
>          Could I have some views on using the K2 for PSK31 ?  Is it a good rig for this mode ? Thanks in advance. 73  de  Pete. G4GSA.
>
>  
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[Julian, G4ILO]

Hi Pete.

The K2/10 has been my main radio since 1999 and PSK has been one of my
favourite modes. It does a perfectly good job.

There is one minor niggle, but if you only intend to operate using the
wide filter, Digipan mode, as many do, then it won't matter. If you
like to use the narrow filters to block out strong adjacent stations
then you may find that there is a difference of a few Hz between
receive and transmit, because of the limited resolution of the VFO and
BFO. The reason has been explained in detail before, if you search the
archives.

I have an article on getting started on PSK31 with the K2 here:
http://www.g4ilo.com/k2psk31.html.

I habitually run 5W PSK with no IMD problems.

The K2 is a good radio for digital modes but the K3 will be even
better. Apart from the built-in encoder / decoder, what I'm looking
forward to is higher VFO resolution and greater stability with a TCXO.
--
Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
Ham-Directory: www.ham-directory.com


On 9/18/07, Pete Milsom <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Hi All
>
>          Could I have some views on using the K2 for PSK31 ?  Is it a good rig for this mode ? Thanks in advance. 73  de  Pete. G4GSA.
>
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