[Elecraft] K2 volume
Hi, I’m still trying to pin down the cause of the low-ish volume of my K2 (s/n 6905), which seems to be something occasionally reported with this transceiver. Dave White, VE6DRW, recently sent me the documentation of the AGC mod to try. (Thanks Dave for digging it out for me – I tried to thank you via email, but they kept bouncing.) According to Dave the mod usually fixes the problem, but this doesn't explain why sometimes it's necessary and not others. I know the K2 does not have a huge amount of audio gain (for reduced battery consumption during portable operation), nevertheless, most users say it is more than adequate in a normal environment. I always have the RF gain set to max and need AF set to max, or near max. I am listening in a very quiet shack. (And last time my hearing was tested about two years ago it was normal.) I have a separate active receive antenna, but this only confirms the situation is not due to a poor antenna. (The main antenna is 120 ft random wire at 40 ft high via an ATU.) The audio amp in my K2 is working properly as far as I can tell by tests carried out using the side tone set to max and measuring the peak-to-peak voltage across the speaker (1.7 V p-p) which is about right by all accounts. The speaker in not faulty and I have used various makes/types of headphones all with similar results. The AGC voltage is set to 3.75 volts and with no antenna connected there is no difference in noise between AGC ‘on’ and ‘off’. L34 is peaked and the alignment procedures were followed. Reading through the threads again it seems there is a real ‘issue’ here, not a variation in expectation from owner to owner, but ‘something’ that is going on. What seems odd to me is that most owners say volume is fine, so there genuinely appears to be a variation in audio volume - though not necessarily sensitivity as far as I can tell. But what is causing it? I am considering building the Elecraft SP2 speaker, but I don’t feel this should be necessary given the complexity and design of the K2; and it's not really getting to the cause. So… is this a consequence of component tolerances or just incorrect/sub-optimal alignment? Thanks and regards, Ian, G4JQT __ 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] K2 volume
On Thu, Aug 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM, Ian Liston-Smith ian...@hotmail.co.ukwrote: I’m still trying to pin down the cause of the low-ish volume of my K2 (s/n 6905), which seems to be something occasionally reported with this transceiver. There are some number of things you do not mention. 1) is the S-meter showing AGC in action when you are having the low volume? 2) are you using the internal speaker in the top cover or are you using an external speaker? 2a) if external, what speaker is it, brand and model number, what is its impedance, and is it amplified? 2b) if internal in the top cover, does its sound seem constricted or narrow banded, or does it seem full ranged? Would need the answers to the above to make any intelligent comment. 73, Guy. __ 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] K2 volume
Hi Ian, Do you have access to a RF signal generator, or can you build the crystal oscillator source shown in the troubleshooting section of the K2 manual? I've found the receiver signal tracing protocol described there to be helpful. The RF probe supplied with the K2 is useful if you have a good high input resistance DMM. There are several possible sources of unintended signal attenuation along the path from antenna connector to audio output, so more experiments will be required to deduce the section(s) in which problems may exist. You mentioned using an ATU with your longwire antenna -- if it's the KAT2 inside the K2, did you check to be sure that your antenna port selection in the menu is for the connector to which the antenna is actually connected? Do you notice a difference in audio signal levels on different bands or is the audio output uniformly low on all bands? 73, Mike, K8CN -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-volume-tp6699863p6700080.html Sent from the Elecraft 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
[Elecraft] K2 volume
I am very hard of hearing. Is there a way to increase the volume in this radio. My K1 is much louder. George/W2BPI __ 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] K2 volume
George, The available audio from the K2 is not as much as for the K1. The K1 has an extra audio stage. If you have to run the AF Gain on the K2 to maximum, then I would suggest that you use an external amplifier. Some amplified computer speakers will do the job fine, while others pick up RF and make strange noises when transmitting. Normally the Motorola Amplified communications speakers are a good choice. Tom Hammond N0SS has a number of mods for these speakers on his website www.n0ss.net. 73, Don W3FPR w2b...@aol.com wrote: I am very hard of hearing. Is there a way to increase the volume in this radio. My K1 is much louder. __ 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] K2 Volume and Sensitivity
Tom, I would say that you have some problem with that K2 - unless you have a very poor antenna. I would suggest that you first try the Cheap and Dirty Signal Tracing methods that you can download from the Builder's Resource page at the Elecraft website. If that does not produce an answer that identifies the failing stage of the receiver, then you should go to the Receiver Signal Tracing section in the back of the K2 manual - build the oscillator and use the RF Probe (the parts for an RF Probe were included with your K2 kit). Once you have identified the stage that is failing, if you cannot determine the failing component, give us the information about the failing stage and we can help you isolate the problem source. 73, Don W3FPR trb...@aol.com wrote: ((I have K2 06660 with KAT-100, KDSP2, KNB2-R, KPA100-R, KSB2-R, KUSB installed.)) ((Currently in process of replacing KSB2's U3 for SSB problem. Can not transmit SSB. (Posted on this site last week and got 3 direct responses within several hours! New part fm. Elecraft in 2 days!))) Kit is assem, aligned as directed in var. instrs. I notice max. audio volume not very high - thru spkr. or headph., barely enuf w AF Gain up all the way. KDSP [AFIL] and XFIL set to FL1 and SF1 in def. config. NB off. Tried turn off AGC but no signif. chg. in perf. W/ auto-tuner, using Elecraft 1:1 balun (in wprf. box) and temp. 50 ft dipole at abt. 8 ft /gnd outside. Better (dipole and later vert) when stops raining.. and I get busy. A notice sensitivity not great. Get reception all bands and, w noise source, can find it on all bands. Hear some stations (CW and Phone) on 80M and 40M bands with occas. sigs. other bands - but then conds. poor so is antenna. Curious why, even tho. hear some sigs, must always use preamp [PRE} and S Meter never shows anything, maybe a S1 but never higher. Compared sensitivity w portable Sony ICF-SW7600 and heard more signals (and noise too, and birdies!) on the Sony. What do other K2 owners suggest re making sure that alignment and sensitivity are per-specs? 73 DE AF6TB, Tom __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 Volume and Sensitivity
((I have K2 06660 with KAT-100, KDSP2, KNB2-R, KPA100-R, KSB2-R, KUSB installed.)) ((Currently in process of replacing KSB2's U3 for SSB problem. Can not transmit SSB. (Posted on this site last week and got 3 direct responses within several hours! New part fm. Elecraft in 2 days!))) Kit is assem, aligned as directed in var. instrs. I notice max. audio volume not very high - thru spkr. or headph., barely enuf w AF Gain up all the way. KDSP [AFIL] and XFIL set to FL1 and SF1 in def. config. NB off. Tried turn off AGC but no signif. chg. in perf. W/ auto-tuner, using Elecraft 1:1 balun (in wprf. box) and temp. 50 ft dipole at abt. 8 ft /gnd outside. Better (dipole and later vert) when stops raining.. and I get busy. A notice sensitivity not great. Get reception all bands and, w noise source, can find it on all bands. Hear some stations (CW and Phone) on 80M and 40M bands with occas. sigs. other bands - but then conds. poor so is antenna. Curious why, even tho. hear some sigs, must always use preamp [PRE} and S Meter never shows anything, maybe a S1 but never higher. Compared sensitivity w portable Sony ICF-SW7600 and heard more signals (and noise too, and birdies!) on the Sony. What do other K2 owners suggest re making sure that alignment and sensitivity are per-specs? 73 DE AF6TB, Tom **You're invited to Hollywood's biggest party: Get Oscars updates, red carpet pics and more at Moviefone. (http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards?ncid=emlcntusmovi0001) __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 volume and sensitivity
I pick up stations on my K2 without an antenna hooked up. I also get way more then enough volume. I never need or use the preamp below 20 meters. Did you check the antenna with a different receiver? I am not fond of coincidences, no ssb output, weak receiver Sounds like it might be time for signal tracing from the antenna back. Brett N2DTS __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 volume
kc4eyf Here! To veteran k2'ers Building #4877 k2 I have completed Alignment and Test,Part 1 Alignment and Test,Part 2 I Have Two Questions 1-Should I be picking up 40 meter band signals at this point CW/ 2-Will my volume increase as I Proceed with project Might be a dumb question but im curious at this point of k2 I will be adding ssb/nb/audiofilter Thanks kc4eyf ___ 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 volume
I'll answer this since the experts don't seem to be available at the moment. 1. Yes, you should be able to receive signals on the 40-meter band. 2. You should have full headphone volume now. Good luck and I'm sure someone will be able to help you track down the problem if there is one. 73, Dave N7AF - Original Message - From: randt [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 12:41 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 volume kc4eyf Here! To veteran k2'ers Building #4877 k2 I have completed Alignment and Test,Part 1 Alignment and Test,Part 2 I Have Two Questions 1-Should I be picking up 40 meter band signals at this point CW/ 2-Will my volume increase as I Proceed with project Might be a dumb question but im curious at this point of k2 I will be adding ssb/nb/audiofilter Thanks kc4eyf ___ 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 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 volume
Not a dumb question at all. At this point you should have all the receiver you ever will get on 40 meters, and you should be hearing 40 meter signals loud and clear with the AF gain set at about the 9 o'clock position. If that is not true, either the band is dead, you have a poor antenna, or there is something wrong with the K2. The audio in the K2 does not have a LOT of excess AF gain, but it is more than adequate if the receiver is functioning properly. You did set the filters and BFOs as indicated in the manual dod you not? The filters do make a great difference in the K2 performance - if you set them per the manual steps they should be good enough for now, but plan to refine them later for optimum performance. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Alignment and Test,Part 2 I Have Two Questions 1-Should I be picking up 40 meter band signals at this point CW/ 2-Will my volume increase as I Proceed with project Might be a dumb question ___ 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
