On Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 03:59:57PM +0100, Julian G4ILO wrote: > On 6/22/07, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >Understood. It has been a long time since I was a serious phone or CW > >contester, more S&P during a contest these days. Otherwise looking for "new > >ones" from this QTH for fun not awards - been there! In this context I find > >the K2's tuning rate not to be handicap but an audio monitor would be > >useful, when using the K2/100 my only monitor is a spectrum analyzer. A > >second built in receiver can also be useful for crossband split or search > >if > >the receiver's design allows for this. > > I'm glad I don't take radio too seriously, it sounds like you can > never be satisfied with anything. :) I can't really see what's wrong > with the K2's tuning rate, for voice. I find the 100Hz steps just fine > for that.
Most desktop size HF radios allow at least 10 Hz tuning resolution at 10 kHz per knob revolution (that's what the Yaesu FT-1000MP does, for example). With the K2, you can get a 10 kHz per knob revolution at 100 Hz tuning, or 10 Hz tuning at just 1 kHz per knob revolution. 100 kHz tuning resolution just does not work when trying to quickly tune in a station through QRM or difficult conditions, and having to turn the tuning dial three or four complete revolutions to get to the next station up or down the band is also not going to work. I've tried replacing the optical encoder in the K2 with one that is higher resolution. If you go with one that has four times as many steps per revolution as the stock encoder, you can have 10 Hz tuning resolution and get 4 KHz per knob revolution. While that is an improvement, it's not quite enough, and if you turn the knob fast enough, you can outspin the K2's CPU's ability to keep up (which sometimes results in you going the wrong direction in frequency!) Moving up to an 8x encoder will improve things to 8 kHz per knob revolution, but then it's very, very easy to outspin the CPU, and the radio become almost unusable. Some more thoughts here: http://www.wm5r.org/k2-100/encoders.shtml >From what I've heard talking from those who have hands-on experience with the K3 prototypes, all of these problems have been solved in the new radio. > As for an audio monitor, I've never found it helpful trying > to listen to my own voice as I speak. I use another radio and record > off-air using the computer, then I can play it back and listen > properly. I can even make several recordings using different settings > and pick the best. I think an audio monitor is invaluable to a phone contester. You can always tell when your signal sounds OK and when it might be getting rough due to unforeseen RF getting in the mic lines, some unexpected ground loop problem, etc. When doing SO2R with a voice keyer, it's extremely helpful to know what you're transmitting so you can judge the timing of your second radio activity. -- Kenneth E. Harker WM5R [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kenharker.com/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
