Rookie help cry : A or B PCB , version C or D , firmware 2.01 or 2.04 ?

[PE1E]

Being brand new to the K2 I got confused about the revions C D E F.
As well as about the " A " and " B"  PCB.
As well as about the firmware v2.01 and v2.04.
.
I searched on Elecrafts site as well into the archives but cannot resolve my
questions properly.
Please help.

1.
Does ( a S/N 2004 with the ) " A " PCB ( is this Rev C ? ) offer serious
drawbacks compared to the newer " B " PCB ( is this Rev or E ? ) ?

2.
Does firmware v2.01 offer serious desavantage compared to v2.04 ?

3.
If Rev C with firmware 2.01 would be essentially inferior to the B PCB with
version D and firmware 2.04 what is the cost and trouble for updating ( if
possible at al... ).

4.
Do the DSP option and the RS232 option work properly in the " A ", board
with the C version under firmware v2.01 ?


I tried to check lists of differences between the " A / B " PCB as well as
between the 2.01 and the 2.04 firware version, but really got lost onto the
oververwelming documentation.

I would be grateful for any comments.
On that basis I must decide to buy a " A " PCB with v2.01 or not.

Peter, PE1E






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[PE1E]

 I am new to K2.
On their website, Elecraft offers an audio sample of the K2 DSP noise
reduction ( the CW and the phone sample ).
I hardly can believe this diffference, it sound so great.

Who uses this K2 ( KDSP2 ) noise reduction ?
Does it really work that unbelievably well as the sample on the K2 page
suggests ?
If so, I buy definitely.
Has someone please some more .wav of .mp3 files for me with and without this
DSP NR ?

I am very eager to learn on this feature.
Thanks for any comment.

Peter, PE1E


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[PE1E]

Sri, forgot to mention  : my questions are on the K2.


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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Peter,

Yes, there is a lot of information for anyone on revision levels.
First let me say that any K2 will work great if properly constructed and
aligned.  I would never say that the older ones are inferior to the newer,
that is too strong a word.

Any older K2 can be fully upgraded to the newest level at moderate cost, and
the changes are done without a large number of components added to the
boards (it will still look very neat when completed).  I have K2 SN 20 that
has been fully upgraded, and I am not only pleased with it, I am quite proud
that it performs as well as a new one.

The K2 major revision levels are only 2 - those below SN 3000 are "A" and SN
3000 and above are "B".  This is the major change in the boards because all
changes that had been added up to SN 3000 were included on the board
layouts.

Beyond SN 3000 there have been only 3 changes.  The PLL Temperature
stability (thermistor board), the Keying Waveshape change, and the added
diodes for Extremely Strong Signal Handling.  Each option carries its own
revision level too, but there have not been as many changes on the options
as on the base K2.

The manual revisions have been more numerous and is now at Revision F.

Firmware changes have been made to enhance operation and to support added
hardware.  The 2.01 firmware will have most all the current functions
included, but will not support the Keying Waveshape change nor the addition
of the K60XV (the firmware must be upgraded if these changes are added to a
K2).

My recommendation for a SN 2004 K2 with 2.01 firmware would be to first ask
if the A to B upgrade has been added, and also ask if the IF crystals have
been changed.

The specifications for the crystals were tightened with Elecraft's vendor
and the new crystals have been used since SN 2560.

If you purchase this K2, you may want to bring it up to date, and you are
able to do that with the mod kits offered by Elecraft.  Many, many K2s have
already been upgraded. How much additional effort is required to bring it up
to the current level depends on how many previous mods have been added - the
cost to fully upgrade even a very low serial number is in the range of $75
to $200 depending on how much option firmware is upgraded.  Each of the
options have their own firmware revision levels, but not all need to be
changed during an upgrade.  The specifics would have to be addressed one by
one.

I am sorry that I can not provide a single answer for you.  The fact that
the K2 is so easily upgraded makes your question complex to answer.  I hope
I have provided some information details that will help with your decision.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Being brand new to the K2 I got confused about the revions C D E F.
> As well as about the " A " and " B"  PCB.
> As well as about the firmware v2.01 and v2.04.
> .
> I searched on Elecrafts site as well into the archives but cannot
> resolve my
> questions properly.
> Please help.
>
> 1.
> Does ( a S/N 2004 with the ) " A " PCB ( is this Rev C ? ) offer serious
> drawbacks compared to the newer " B " PCB ( is this Rev or E ? ) ?
>
> 2.
> Does firmware v2.01 offer serious desavantage compared to v2.04 ?
>
> 3.
> If Rev C with firmware 2.01 would be essentially inferior to the
> B PCB with
> version D and firmware 2.04 what is the cost and trouble for updating ( if
> possible at al... ).
>
> 4.
> Do the DSP option and the RS232 option work properly in the " A ", board
> with the C version under firmware v2.01 ?
>
>
> I tried to check lists of differences between the " A / B " PCB as well as
> between the 2.01 and the 2.04 firware version, but really got
> lost onto the
> oververwelming documentation.
>
> I would be grateful for any comments.
> On that basis I must decide to buy a " A " PCB with v2.01 or not.
>
> Peter, PE1E
>
>

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[Dave, G4AON]

> Who uses this K2 ( KDSP2 ) noise reduction ?

> Does it really work that unbelievably well as the sample on the K2
> page suggests ?

Peter

Don't forget the DSP unit costs 1/3 the price of a basic K2.

In answer to your question, mine is as effective as the samples on the
Elecraft web site. Most of the time I prefer to just use it as an
expensive bandwidth filter and generally I do not use the noise
reduction. The KDSP2 is more configurable than some other audio DSP
units such as those in the TS570 and FT857D. The K2 is a significantly
better receiver than either of those two rigs and has a very low
internal noise level. My FT857D has a higher than average "hiss" level
which needs DSP to minimise the noise!

For portable operation from the KBT2 (internal lead-acid battery), the
current consumption of the DSP may be an issue as it increases overall
current by around 60 mA with the DSP working (10 mA in bypass), the
simple KAF2 filter by comparison has a current consumption of 10 mA. The
K2 can be used without an extra audio filter, so if current is important
to you it might be worth running one in "minimum" configuration. I don't
find the real time clock to be of any use.

The most useful addition to the K2 is probably the KAT2, if you are
looking to buy a second hand K2 that ATU is worth considering.

73 Dave, G4AON
K2 #1892 - more or less modified to the latest standard, except for
crystal filter changes.




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[Nick Waterman]

Dave wrote:
> The KDSP2 is more configurable than some other audio DSP
> units such as those in the TS570 and FT857D.

For the ULTIMATE in configurability, you can even download the KDSP
firmware from the Elecraft website, and tweak or re-write your own noise
reduction code.

  http://www.elecraft.com/KDSP2/sourcepage.htm

Don't know if anyone HAS ever tweaked it, but if you wanted to get
REALLY low-level, you could.

... and you aren't going to be doing THAT with your YaeComWood DSP any
time soon   :-)

> The most useful addition to the K2 is probably the KAT2, if you are
> looking to buy a second hand K2 that ATU is worth considering.

Absolutely, or KPA100 + KAT100. Gotta love that "hold tune,
clickety-clickety-clickety-done!"

--
"Nosey" Nick Waterman, G7RZQ, K2 #5209.
use Std::Disclaimer;    [hidden email]
Please sponsor me! http://www.justgiving.com/noseynick
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit
there.
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[PE1E]

Yes Don,

This was most helpful and crystal clear.
On the basis of your appreciated explanations I made up my mind what to do.
This is a great reflector.

Thanks very much !
Peter, PE1E


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "PE1E" <[hidden email]>; "'Elecraft List Members'"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 6:41 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Rookie help cry : A or B PCB , version C or D
,firmware 2.01 or 2.04 ?


> Peter,
>
> Yes, there is a lot of information for anyone on revision levels.
> First let me say that any K2 will work great if properly constructed and
> aligned.  I would never say that the older ones are inferior to the newer,
> that is too strong a word.
>
> Any older K2 can be fully upgraded to the newest level at moderate cost,
and
> the changes are done without a large number of components added to the
> boards (it will still look very neat when completed).

snip ...( PvD )


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[johnny-52]

Hi Peter,

Don's comment is very true indeed.  I started K2 at the serial No1146 up to
4597.  All K2s can be easily upgraded to latest specifications.

For my s/n 4597, I have recently upgraded with the SSB B/W modification
kit.  The result is very pleased - better audio, less insertion loss, less
ripple but no compromise in selectivity.

Part of the costs we paid are not for the components but for the excellent
design, responsive support and customer services.

Although I built quite a number of kits an K2, I still make mistakes.  Each
time, Gary and other colleagues in Elecraft give me prompt support and have
never left me alone.

I do notice one thing in their design.  They use the best available
components for the critical parts and are also brave enough to use the most
economic ones (I don't use the word - cheap) for the less important parts.  
The designers are competent.  On the other hand, they are able to more
profits to keep the business run for years.  It is an impressive company
and does have all the characteristics of  a successful business.

73

Johnny Siu VR2XMC



From: "PE1E" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>,"'Elecraft List Members'" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Rookie help cry : A or B PCB , version C or D
,firmware 2.01 or 2.04 ?
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 01:47:07 +0200

Yes Don,

This was most helpful and crystal clear.
On the basis of your appreciated explanations I made up my mind what to do.
This is a great reflector.

Thanks very much !
Peter, PE1E


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "PE1E" <[hidden email]>; "'Elecraft List Members'"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 6:41 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Rookie help cry : A or B PCB , version C or D
,firmware 2.01 or 2.04 ?


 > Peter,
 >
 > Yes, there is a lot of information for anyone on revision levels.
 > First let me say that any K2 will work great if properly constructed and
 > aligned.  I would never say that the older ones are inferior to the
newer,
 > that is too strong a word.
 >
 > Any older K2 can be fully upgraded to the newest level at moderate cost,
and the changes are done without a large number of components added to the
 > boards (it will still look very neat when completed).

snip ...( PvD )


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