Re: [Elecraft] K2 and Rigblaster plus II
The K2 works fine with RIGblasters, SignaLinks, Donner Digital Interfaces, and any number of TNCs. For the RIGblasters, I plug into the Mic input jack and into the headphone output jack. As Don has mentioned, you can add a fixed output modification. On the K2, as opposed to most rigs, you do NOT want to set your power on full and then control output power with the input gain control (which is the technique described in the RIGblaster manuals). Instead, set your output power to the desired output power (e.g., 20 watts on PSK) and control ALC with the input gain control. Aim for 0 or 1 bar of ALC. You control input gain by setting the rig's input gain level to 1 (SSbA) and turning off compression (SSbC) AS WELL AS controlling the output volume from the computer and also using the transmit power control on the RIGblaster Plus II itself. Use both the output volume from the computer and the transmit power control on the RIGblaster, not just one or the other. Remember that you do not want high power on most digitial modes. 20w is usually more than enough for things like PSK31, Olivia, etc. The digital modes are continuous or near-continuous duty cycle -- which is a much higher duty cycle than either SSB or CW. If you have the KPA100, the finals will get very hot during digital operation -- even at 20 watts. That will cause drift in your transmitted signal, which will annoy other operators. It will also make others jealous because of your ability to fry up a couple of eggs while operating. Get yourself a 12v DC muffin fan (1-2 radius) to put on top of the rig and draw in more air (exhaust facing up, away from the rig). Some double-sided tape will hold it in place. As Don has helped me discover, there are many things in the shack that can cause RFI that will distort your signal. For example, I had a powered external USB hub connected to my computer that was generating enough RFI to totally destroy my PSK signal. I also had a small electric eye nightlight in the shack that was causing considerable damage to the signal. I've put ferrite beads and cores and whatever on every wire into and out of the rig and tested my output with a dummy load and oscilloscope -- and I don't put anything new into the shack until I've checked its impact as shown on the scope. Jon KB1QBZ -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-Rigblaster-plus-II-tp5691806p5693565.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Would you be interested in a K2 PSK31 digital interface card?
I just noticed this post. Sorry for being so late in responding. The short answer is yes, yes, heck YES!!! I would love the full kit Jon KB1QBZ -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Would-you-be-interested-in-a-K2-PSK31-digital-interface-card-tp5147084p5279790.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] DATA Jack for K2??
Thank you all for your replies. I should have known that Don Wilhelm already has a solution to the problem!! As I understand it, all this is happening in audio frequencies versus radio frequencies. Am I correct that I could breadboard all the necessary circuitry outside the rig and not have to worry about creating PC boards in the rig? Jon KB1QBZ -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/DATA-Jack-for-K2-tp4520924p4542531.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] DATA Jack for K2??
Thanks Don. As always, you are a treasure. Jon KB1QBZ _ From: Don Wilhelm-4 [via Elecraft] [mailto:ml-node+4543143-219819...@n2.nabble.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 1:56 PM To: jperelst Subject: Re: DATA Jack for K2?? Jon, Yes, it is audio, so the only problems with breadboarding is the possibilities of inadvertent ground loops and/or RF pickup by the circuit(s). Remember that mic levels are quite low, and that level is what you will be driving the K2 with. So the answer depends on just how rough *your* 'breadboard' circuit is. I would recommend putting the fixed audio output board in the K2 - the raw K2 audio is low level and balanced, and you need a source of single ended audio output. While one of the microHAM cable implementations draws audio from one side of this balanced signal, the level is lower than ideal. All the rest can be done outside the K2 in a small box. How small really depends on the size of the transformers you use in the audio lines - you can salvage small transformers from defunct computer modem boards, they work well. Alternately, you can follow Jim Brown's recommendations to bond the computer and radio together and perhaps eliminate the transformers. 73, Don W3FPR jperelst wrote: Thank you all for your replies. I should have known that Don Wilhelm already has a solution to the problem!! As I understand it, all this is happening in audio frequencies versus radio frequencies. Am I correct that I could breadboard all the necessary circuitry outside the rig and not have to worry about creating PC boards in the rig? Jon KB1QBZ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2677 - Release Date: 02/09/10 02:35:00 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=4543143i=0 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html _ View message @ http://n2.nabble.com/DATA-Jack-for-K2-tp4520924p4543143.html To unsubscribe from Re: DATA Jack for K2??, click (link removed) uY29tfDQ1NDI1MzF8LTQzMDM0MjE2Ng== here. -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/DATA-Jack-for-K2-tp4520924p4543485.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
