Subject: [Elecraft] K2 field-day tips, de N6KR/WA6HHQ Eric and I have done Field Day together for several years. In fact, many ideas for the K2 design evolved during FD operation--we wanted it to be the ideal battery-powered, competition-grade FD rig. Here are some things we've learned about how to get the most from your K2 on the big weekend. OPERATING TECHNIQUES - - As a QRP station, you'll often fare better doing "hunt and pounce" rather than calling CQ, *unless* you have directional antennas and a good location. - - Use the message memories on CW. The '6' and '8' buttons are the easiest to get to after tapping MSG, so set them up with your callsign (for calling other stations) and FD exchange. (Note: Two button presses are needed to play a message on the K2, e.g. {MSG, #6}. But you can tap MSG as soon as you hear a CQ, then be ready to tap the # button if it's not a dupe, or tap MSG again to cancel.) - - If you're calling CQ, you can set up a repeating CQ message. The menu's RPT entry can be used to specify the auto-repeat delay. - - If you're telling fish stories and drinking beer and can't be bothered with operating (!), or if you're half asleep and don't have the strength to turn the VFO knob anymore, use SCAN mode. The RX will stay muted until a signal is found, and when you hear a signal of interest, you can just hit the key. You'll also want to set up PF2 (or PF1) in the menu to do SCAN RESUME (e.g. PF2=SCAN); you can then press PF2 after a QSO to pick up the SCAN where you left off, +0.5 kHz. SCAN mode is especially useful on a quiet band, such as 15 m in the evening, or 10 m anytime. Just as a repeating CQ message can open a "dead" band, SCAN can make a "dead" band seem like it's open! ANTENNAS AND THE ATU - - Use two antennas if possible. We like to toss out two random-wire antennas in different directions, since each antenna will favor different stations. - - If you have the internal ATU, tune up both antennas on all bands. You can then check the signal strength of nearly every station you call using the K2's ANT1/2 switch. (That's why ANT 1/2 is a TAP rather than a HOLD.) This mode of operation was our subject of discussion for all of FD 98, and lead directly to the KAT2 design. We're looking forward to this year--we won't have to take our two external tuners and A/B switch! - - Lay out *at least* two radials to minimize RF problems, eliminate flaky tuner operation, and improve signal strength. If you have the luxury of using balanced feed rather than end-feed, use 300-ohm (or higher) twin-lead and a balun. You can make a balun from a medium-size toroid core; a T68-2 works well. BATTERY OPERATION; MINIMIZING RX-MODE CURRENT DRAIN - - To increase battery life, set up the K2 for minimum current drain on receive (< 150 mA) as follows: (1) GRPH=OFF. You'll still get a dot-style power-out indication on transmit. (2) During the day, set LCD=DAY to turn off the LCD backlight. (3) If you're not right next to another transmitter, set OPT=BATT. (4) Turn the PREAMP off if not needed, especially on 40 meters and below. (5) Use headphones. Current will go up on audio peaks when using the speaker. - - During FD you'll transmit a lot, even if you're not calling CQ. If you're using the K2's battery, bring a second, larger battery and/or solar panel. - - Be sure to turn the internal battery OFF (using the rear-panel switch) if you connect an external battery, or you may damage the internal battery due to under-voltage charging. When using a solar panel, make sure it's putting out at least 13.8 V during receive. If the panel voltage goes above 14.5 V or so when charging the K2's internal battery, you may need to use a 5-watt (or larger) 14 V zener diode to limit the panel's output. - - Current drain from 12 V will be higher for a given power level than when running from 14 V. We recommend staying at 5 W or less when using the internal battery. - - You'll see a "LO BATT" warning on the K2's LCD every 8 minutes if your battery voltage drops below about 11 V. This has no effect on operation. Transmit will be stable down to around 9 V, but below about 10.5 V you really should change batteries. Using the battery at or below 10 V will reduce battery life! - - Use the built-in voltmeter and ammeter (DISPLAY button) often to check battery status. Since the internal battery and the voltmeter are both connected to the cathode of the reverse-polarity-protection diode, the meter will read the correct internal battery voltage. (It reads 0.3V low when an external supply or battery is used.) 73 and good luck on FD! Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 08:27:14 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contesting Tip Rod Cerkoney wrote: > > Folks, > > I was disappointed by the lack of 10m and 15m contacts in the last > night's NJQRP HB Sprint. Why? Because given the band conditions I was > expecting more stations to be on 10 and 15. > > About 30min. before the contest I listened to the NCDXF propagation > beacons on 10, 15 and 20m. I could easily copy the beacons from NY, > CA, HI, CAN and South America. Hi Rod, I, too, wonder why these bands aren't more active when conditions are great. Just a reminder: K2 owners can help keep these bands open by using repeating CQs and/or SCAN mode. You can literally open what sounds like a dead band with a repeating CQ, and with SCAN mode, you can find other stations on bands that at first listening appear dead. I often leave SCAN mode running on 10 or 15 meters while I'm doing other things. 73, Wayne N6KR +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++