[Elecraft] DSP settings
Hi guysI just finished building and installing the KDSP2 in my K2 over the weekend and am trying to learn how to use it. One question on the Denoisermine sounds more like a lowpass filter than a denoiser...it does reduce the noise a little but seems to mostly just muffle itmaybe my settings are wrong... what settings is everybody using on SSB and CW for the denoiser? Thanks Paul N2PD ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 receive sensitivity
Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Hi Paul: The test on one band isn't valid on other bands because the band QRN changes a great deal with frequency. The fact that you hear little or not change in background QRN when you remove the antenna on 10 meters with the preamplifier off is because the K2 is optimized for maximum sensitivity and greatest dynamic range across the HF spectrum. The sensitivity of a receiver - its ability to hear weak signals - is a function of the bandwidth of the receiver, the overall gain of the receiver and the amount of internal noise generated in the receiver. Most receivers, including the K2, have more than enough overall gain, so the things to look at are the bandwidth and internal noise generated in the receiver. Narrower bandwidths make a band sound "quieter" because they filter out noise as well as signals on adjacent frequencies. The most rigorous test is to check the receiver at the narrowest bandwidth you'll use. (That's why a weak CW signal is easier to copy than an equally weak SSB signal. The SSB signal requires a wider bandwidth at the receiver, so more noise comes through that reduces the signal-to-noise ratio.) The internal noise in a receiver is a concern only when it competes with a weak signal being received. Of course, in order to hear the weak signal on any receiver the signal must be strong enough to be heard over the band noise - the background QRN - being received along with the signal. If, when you connect the antenna, you hear the background noise increase you can be sure your ability to hear signals is limited by the unavoidable background QRN and not the receiver. On the higher-frequency bands, typically 14 MHz and up, the background QRN may be low enough that the internal noise in the receiver might mask weaker signals. You sense when that's happening when you disconnect the antenna while listening to the background noise and the noise level does not change! The K2's preamplifier is a low-noise amplifier that boosts incoming signals so they easily over-ride the internal noise. In order to do this, the preamplifier must be placed at the input to the receiver, ahead of the I.F. filters, so it amplifies not only the desired signal but signals over a wide range of frequencies around it as well. On the lower frequencies, too much "front end" gain (ahead of the I.F. filters) such as provided by the preamplifier can lead to overloading of the receiver by extremely strong signals outside of the passband. So the K2's preamplifier can be turned off when it's not needed. That results in a receiver that has the low noise figure needed for the higher frequencies and optimum strong signal handling capability on the lower frequencies. While your test is a good quick check to see if the receiver is limiting your ability to hear weak signals, a more meaningful test for comparing receivers is to measure their signal-to-noise plus noise and minimum discernable signal (MDS) levels. Normally such measurements require some rather costly test equipment. However, Elecraft created a simple test oscillator that you can use to measure the signal-to-noise plus noise ratio at 1 uV and, based on that, you can estimate the MDS with good accuracy. It works with any receiver covering 80, 40 or 20 meters. The oscillator produces accurate crystal-controlled outputs on the three bands. It can also be used to calibrate your K2's S-meter and do other tests. Check out the XG2 Three Band Receiver Test Oscillator/S-Meter Calibrator on the Elecraft web site at: http://www.elecraft.com/mini_module_kits/mini_modules.htm It's the second-to-last item on the page. Ron AC7AC -Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Del Negro Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 7:11 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K2 receive sensitivity Hi to all on the reflector. I'd like to put something out here and see if others experience the same thing or if I possibly have a problem with my K2 sn5834. Someone (I don't remember who) mentioned that a great way to test receive sensitivity is to simply check for an increase in noise level when switching from a dummy load to a resonant antenna on a dead band (like 10m is lately), and I am a great believer in that method. I have used it for years with various commercial and homebrew rigs. So here's the deal. K2 set for 10 meters, preamp off, antenna is resonant wire (and also used a beam). When switching between dummy load and antenna, there is no (or barely perceptible) change in receiver noise output. With the preamp on, the change is noticeable, as the noise increases both with dummy load and antenna connected. What I'm concerned about is the preamp off situation, as all other receivers I have tested do show a marked change in receiver noise when doing this test. I have already set
Re: [Elecraft] K2 receive sensitivity
Don Wilhelm wrote: Paul, I am not certain your test is entirely valid. If there is no atmospheric noise on the band you are using, you should notice no difference in level switching from a dummy load to an antenna. The bandwidth of the receiver will make a great difference as well, and that is both the IF bandwidth and the front end bandwidth. The K2 does have the low pass filters at the receiver front end - some other receivers run with a wide open 'DC to Daylight' front end which will pick up more wideband noise. You are not necessarily comparing apples to apples with such a simplified subjective measurement. It would be much more informative to actually measure the MDS at a given receiver bandwidth and at the frequency of interest. Measurements of that nature should be controlled and can be used for valid comparisons. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Hi to all on the reflector. I'd like to put something out here and see if others experience the same thing or if I possibly have a problem with my K2 sn5834. Someone (I don't remember who) mentioned that a great way to test receive sensitivity is to simply check for an increase in noise level when switching from a dummy load to a resonant antenna on a dead band (like 10m is lately), and I am a great believer in that method. I have used it for years with various commercial and homebrew rigs. So here's the deal. K2 set for 10 meters, preamp off, antenna is resonant wire (and also used a beam). When switching between dummy load and antenna, there is no (or barely perceptible) change in receiver noise output. With the preamp on, the change is noticeable, as the noise increases both with dummy load and antenna connected. What I'm concerned about is the preamp off situation, as all other receivers I have tested do show a marked change in receiver noise when doing this test. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.12/628 - Release Date: 1/15/2007 11:04 AM Thanks for your reply, Don... it has been my experience that there is always some level of atmospheric noise on 10 meters, even when the band is not open. The method of sensitivity quick-test I described was endorsed by many notable amateurs, including the late Doug DeMaw, W1FB, who I'm sure you have heard of. That's where I got the method from. But I guess what I'm asking of the guys on the reflector is whether or not they are experiencing the same result using this quick-test with the K2. 72 Paul N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] K2 receive sensitivity
Hi to all on the reflector. I'd like to put something out here and see if others experience the same thing or if I possibly have a problem with my K2 sn5834. Someone (I don't remember who) mentioned that a great way to test receive sensitivity is to simply check for an increase in noise level when switching from a dummy load to a resonant antenna on a dead band (like 10m is lately), and I am a great believer in that method. I have used it for years with various commercial and homebrew rigs. So here's the deal. K2 set for 10 meters, preamp off, antenna is resonant wire (and also used a beam). When switching between dummy load and antenna, there is no (or barely perceptible) change in receiver noise output. With the preamp on, the change is noticeable, as the noise increases both with dummy load and antenna connected. What I'm concerned about is the preamp off situation, as all other receivers I have tested do show a marked change in receiver noise when doing this test. I have already set the agc threshold so that there is no reduction in band noise when turning agc on and off. Band pass filter alignment was done with a minimum signal from a signal generator and IF and filter alignments were done with Spectrogram and everything seemed to check out OK. BTW, the I used two antennas for this test, a 3 el tribander at 40 ft and a OCF dipole cut for 160 and tuned with ATU. Do others have the same or similar results with this test? I'd really like to know if my K2 is behaving normally or I have a problem. BTW, the results improve as you lower the frequency, but the first band that shows a really marked increase in noise level with this test is 17m. Any and all comments are appreciated. 73, Paul, N2PD ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone
Don Wilhelm wrote: Paul, First check to be certain you have 8R HOLD set on - accessible from the T-R menu, edit the parameter (move the cursor to the right) and tap the DISPLAY button to toggle 8R HOLD or 8R NOR. Then check carefully to determine when the click occurs 1) at the beginning of the transmit cycle or 2) at the end of the cycle (hint, set the speed slow and send a few dashes). Lastly, turn the AF GAIN to zero (not the RF gain as someone else posted) and see if the clicks remain. If you have clicks with the AF Gain at zero, they are coming from the sidetone generating circuit, but if they are only prsent with the AF Gain advanced, they are coming from the muting circuit. Before making any suggestions here, try the above items and then tell us if you have both the KDSP2 and the KPA100 - if you have both, has your KPA100 been upgraded with the latest changes (KPA100UPKT) - if not, that is your first step. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 1:48 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Sidetone Wups! Okay, that exhausts my tiny knowledge of the switching issue! Perhaps Don or one of the other guys here will have some more ideas. Never hesitate to ask - believe it or not, that's what this reflector is for (although at times we wander so far afield one might not realize it, Hi!) Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Sounds like you have t-r in the MENU set to 0.00, Paul. That makes the t/r delay zero so you hear the actual switching going on. Try 0.01 or greater for smooth t/r switching. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I am hesitant to put this question up here because I have seen so many posts about it but here goes anyway. I love my K2 sn 05834 except for one thing...the sidetone. There seems to be excessive thumps (clicks?) on both make and break, especially when using the internal speaker. I know there were alot of comments about the sine wave improvements, but has anyone been able to eleiminate or reduce significantly the thumps? Thanks for the response, but changing the T/R timing was the first thing I did. 73 Paul -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.3/614 - Release Date: 1/2/2007 2:58 PM ___ 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 8R Hold is set on...t-r delay at .005no difference with audio gainbut I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't just the speaker resonating in the case at certain frequencies...when I change the sidetone freq to 500hz the pops disappear...and they aren't there in the headphones at any frequency...I will continue to play with it and see what else I can discover... Thanks for all the input. 73, Paul, N2PD ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Sidetone
Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Sounds like you have t-r in the MENU set to 0.00, Paul. That makes the t/r delay zero so you hear the actual switching going on. Try 0.01 or greater for smooth t/r switching. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I am hesitant to put this question up here because I have seen so many posts about it but here goes anyway. I love my K2 sn 05834 except for one thing...the sidetone. There seems to be excessive thumps (clicks?) on both make and break, especially when using the internal speaker. I know there were alot of comments about the sine wave improvements, but has anyone been able to eleiminate or reduce significantly the thumps? Thanks for the response, but changing the T/R timing was the first thing I did. 73 Paul ___ 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
[Elecraft] Sidetone
I am hesitant to put this question up here because I have seen so many posts about it but here goes anyway. I love my K2 sn 05834 except for one thing...the sidetone. There seems to be excessive thumps (clicks?) on both make and break, especially when using the internal speaker. I know there were alot of comments about the sine wave improvements, but has anyone been able to eleiminate or reduce significantly the thumps? ___ 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
[Elecraft] Low audio KSB2
Hank, regarding your low audio with the KSB2 installed, I had a similar problem when I built mineproblem turned out to be one of the crystalsits innards were partially shorted to the case, which is grounded. Try checking the resistance of the crystal leads to ground...if any read low ...like 12 ohms, in my case, disconnect the grounding wire from that crystal and if that solves it, you've found the problem. Good Luck 73, Paul, N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] Elecraft Christmas
Santa really came through this year (with a little help from the XYL). I found under the tree: - the K2 DSP module - the K2 ATU - the XG2 test oscillator - the step attenuator - the K2 finger dimple would have been there, but was on backorder Fire up the soldering iron Happy New Year to all! 73, Paul, N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] 160M HiCur
I have been enjoying my newly built K2 #058xx for several weeks now. I have seen the posts about excessive current draw on 160, but many of them are involving the 100w amp, which I do not have (yet). Well, I have the same problem, draw sometimes exceeds 4 amps on 160. Power supply is stable 13.8v. I saw an old post suggesting bypassing the ISENSE line on the control board with a .01 to .1 cap, soldering it across R7. Having a very new edition K2, I decided to check the schematic and found that a cap, listed as C44, is shown in parallel with R7, but it says "not used". So, before trying this fix, I figured I would put it on here and see what the gang knows about this issue. Thanks in advance for any input 73, Paul, N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] K2 Power setting
I just found out that it needs to be set in the Po28 menuDuh...read the instructions, Paul Thanks Paul N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] K2 Power setting
Is the "requested" output power of the K2 (ser# 058xx) limited by the firmware on 10 and 12 meters to 10 watts? When setting the power output on these bands (not key down) rotating the power control brings the display up to 10.0 at about 75 percent rotation on these 2 bands, and the remaining 25 percent of rotation to max makes no change to the display. I thought I had read something on here about power being limited to 12 watts on 12 and 10, but can't find it now. Paul N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] OHR WM-1
Does anyone have the alignment instructions for the Oak Hills Research WM-1 wattmeter? Now that I have the K2 I want to use mine again. Changed the battery and would like to re-calibrate it but can't find the instructions. And thanks to all for help with my previous questions. Great group! 73s Paul N2PD ___ 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
[Elecraft] Some K2 observations and questions
Just finished building and aligning sn 05834. Have a couple of questions: 1 - Preamp...I wonder if anyone else has noticed a very noisy K2 preamp...with no antenna or just dummy load connected, when I turn on the preamp there is a marked increase in noise output.. Is this normal or do I have a problem? 2 - I aligned the filters with spectrogramis there any way of getting the bfo set so that the received signal is the same pitch on all 4 filters? and, does the pitch change when switching filters affect the transmit frequency? Thanks for any input Paul N2PD ___ 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
