Hi Randy,
I have used PSK31 with my K2 (S/N 4751) for about 2 years and have been on
PSK for about 6 years total. I originally bought an original "Rigblaster"
( original serial port version) for my IC706MIIG and later adapted the RJ45
connectors for the ICOM radio to interface with the K2 8 pin mike socket
(i.e., I made an RJ45 to 8 pin cable and changed the internal jumpers to
Kenwood). Because I use an Elecraft supplied Heil desk mike, I have the mike
biasing resistor internal to the radio as opposed to within the mike
connector as many people use (i.e., for different mike selections). I have
used Digipan exclusively since I went on PSK31 and am now used V 1.7. My
computers are totally obsolete (either a Pentium 200 MHz desktop clone
that's about 10 years old or a 350 MHz laptop for Field Day). In either
case, the K2 has always worked great with this setup in the shack or in the
field. I typically run 12 watts (i.e., using a heat sink finger touch
temperature sensing test every 2-5 minutes - it never gets hot for normal
QSO's), and for high use operations like field day, I direct fan cooling air
over the heat sink. The official Elecraft position for PSK31 ops is 5 watts.
The only problem that I had was in building the cable where I forgot that
the opposite end connections of CAT cables are 180 deg different. After I
mastered this problem, I had one field day cable to 8 pin connector cold
solder joint failure. Other than these two cable problems, I have had 0 PSK
problems, and none at all with the K2. BTW - I'm not wedded to the
RigBlaster (although it has worked flawlessly and WMR is a responsive
vendor - I just used what I had on hand). If I were to do it again, I'd
probably homebrew an interface first or buy a commercial one as a second
choice.
Good luck with PSK31.
Les WA3SGZ
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