+++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 13:55:17 -0800 From: Phil Wheeler Organization: Outstanding To: ken cubilo electric Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] k2 and amp use ken cubilo electric wrote: >is anyone out there now using a external amp on their k1 or k2 rigs? >I see a number of cb type amps listed for sale that are susposed to >cover 80-10 meters at various power levels, but I am sure they are not >giving the cleanest sig on the bands. > I know some folks are using ham band amps with their K2s based on past msgs. Those CB style amps will likely not meet FCC requirements. They generally are lacking the necessary bandpass filters, etc. Phil +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] k2 and amp use Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 15:18:46 -0800 Some of those amps work, some are awful! If you pick up an 'unknown' amplifier, you are responsible for it meeting all current regulations regarding emission purity, harmonics, etc. just as if you had designed and built it yourself. It's not quite the same as picking up an old "boat anchor". Older equipment had much looser technical requirements and they are NOT required to meet the current rules. But if your "amp" is anything built in the last decade or so, you are individually responsible for it meeting the current rules. Like most privileges, there are two sides to our Amateur Radio Licenses. On one side, they give us the authority to design and build our own gear if we want. On the other side, we are personally responsible for the equipment we use meeting the FCC rules. A CB operator, on the other hand, has no personal responsibility for how his equipment operates as long as he has not modified it! Just as you or I are not responsible for our cellular phone going berserk and causing interference - as long as we haven't opened it up and tinkered with it . Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 +++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: "Bob Follett" From: "Bob Follett" To: Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 16:42:25 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: External Amps Ken, W8OB was asking about an external amp for the K2. Not to be confused with the forthcoming Elecraft 100W amp, there is now a relatively short window of opportunity to participate in a group purchase of parts to build a 1-2W in and 35W out external amp for portable/mobile/pedestrian mobile use. Unlike the CB amp, or "import your own" amps, this project, organized as a group buy of parts by the HFpack group, has been approved by the FCC. If you or others would be interested in a small, fully filtered, small external ssb/cw amp, the group buy sign up is taking place right now. It is organized by HFpack, a large, portable/mobile group. By accessing their web site, you can link to the HFpack amp project site and obtain all the details, cost, pictures, specs, payment options, etc. Go to: http://www.hfpack.com to get the http://www.hfprojects.com Personally, I am looking at the amp as a good set of boots for my K1 and K2 when operating by battery power -- to me, the Elecraft 100W module will fit another niche. On another note, if any of you K2 owners with the ssb module want to work some stations from portable locations -- check out with HFpack web site -- above. It seems be evolving has the ssb counterpart of QRP-L. When you feel burnt out on cw, try your ssb wings on the weekend with the group -- just look at their frequency/time charts. 73, Bob ______________________________ Bob Follett AB7ST Park City, Utah +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 22:24:01 -0500 From: Brian Murphy To: Cc: Subject: [Elecraft] k2 and amp use I have a Harris RF110 1000-1300watt amp that takes 100mW of drive. It works OK with the K2 via an adjustable 10db attenuator. The amp also warms the cold garage quite well drawing about 3kW of electric power. It sure is complicated to hook up and use, though. It takes a lot of time to setup and everything has to be hardened to handle the high power including nearby telephones, etc. Oh yeah, the power company likes it when I use it, too. Maybe it will come in handy near the bottom of the solar cycle. QRP is much quicker to setup, use, and take down, and I find myself getting more air time this way rather than with the big amp down in the garage! Brian N4YTL ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Steve Knell" To: "Christoph Rheker" Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Amp keying question Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 22:41:24 +0100 Hi Chris I had a similar "problem" with QSK switching of my amplifier. This is what I did to fix it: Hit "MENU" Scroll to "t-r" Hold down MENU to EDIT the t-r number Hit "DISPLAY" to toggle from "8r nor" to "8r hold" "8r hold" is the setting I used and the amp keying was fine. Good luck 73 Steve G0CKP ----- Original Message ----- From: Christoph Rheker To: Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2002 10:00 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Amp keying question > Hallo fellow kit builders, > > I have a problem keying my Amp with the K2 in CW mode. > > I am using a circuit similar to the one described on the > elecraft web pages. > > The signal I am using is "8R" as described because the > web page says: > > "We used 8R because it transitions from 8V to 0V about 15-20ms > before the K2 TX turns on." > > Sooo... here is the issue: > > The "8R" signal is 8 Volts during TX and goes to 0 Volts during > RX.. that's what I thought... > > But instead "8R" is 0 Volts only when actually the TX is keyed. > > For example: > > Via the menu I set the T-R delay to 0.5 secs. I sent a single > "DIT", the letter "E". > > I would expect that the "8R" signal goes down to 0 Volts for > the time "DIT" is sent plus 0.5 secs. But it is at 0 Volts > only for the time the "DIT" is transmitted. No delay at all. > > This is a problem because my Amp is a non-QSK type and it doesnt > like the fast switching. > > I am looking for a way to key my Amp while I am on TX including > the time defined in the T-R menu. > > I have looked at the diagram but am unsure what to do next. > > Any idea will be welcomed. > > Thanks and regards from Munich (Oktoberfest City for the next 2 weeks ..)) > > 73 de Chris, DL4YAO +++++++++++++++++++