ELECRAFT 87
Basic K2 Operation
Mode Selection
Tap M O D E to cycle through the operating modes, noting the
change in the mode indicator letter (C = CW, L = lower sideband,
U = upper sideband). If RTTY/data mode is enabled, r = RTTY/data
will also appear in the mode list (see page 101).
Sideband Inversion: The K2 inverts the sideband on 15 meters
and above due to the frequency mixing scheme (the upper and lower
sidebands of the signal become reversed). In CW Normal mode, the
pitch of CW signals goes up with frequency on the lower bands; on
15 m and up, the pitch goes down with frequency.
Receiver Configuration
Gain Controls: The RF GAIN control should normally be set
fully clockwise. Adjust the AF GAIN control for comfortable
volume. Sidetone volume is set using S T L (page 93).
Crystal Filter Selection: Each operating mode provides up to
four filter settings, FL1-FL4. Bandwidth and BFO settings can be
customized using C A L F I L (page 85)
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. Tapping X F I L cycles
through the filters. FL2, 3, or 4 can also be turned OFF.
Filters and Operating Modes: The CW Normal and CW Reverse
crystal filter selections are tied together. For example, if you switch
to FL2 when in CW Normal mode, CW Reverse also switches to
FL2. The same applies to the LSB and USB modes.
Checking Filter Status: You can check the current filter number
and its bandwidth without changing filters by holding
X F I L + A G C . For example, you might see F L 2 0 . 8 0 c . If the
KAF2 audio filter is installed and the CW filter is enabled, you'll see
A F 1 or A F 2 following the crystal filter display.
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Bandwidth settings below 0 . 2 0 may cause excessive signal attenuation.
Audio Filter Control: If you have the KAF2 option (audio filter
and real-time clock) installed, holding
A F I L will allow you select its
operating mode.
Preamp: When operating on higher bands, you'll probably want to
use the preamp (about +14 dB) to improve the overall signal-to-
noise ratio. If you experience very strong in-band interference, you
may need to turn the preamp off.
Attenuator: If necessary, an additional 10 dB of attenuation can
be switched in by turning on the attenuator. This is more effective
than using the RF GAIN control in the case of strong-signal
overload.
Scanning: See Advanced Operating Features, page 96.
Antenna Selection: If you're using a KAT2 or KAT100
automatic antenna tuner, the
A N T 1 / 2 switch will toggle between
the two ATU antenna jacks. This also instantly recalls the ATU's
stored L-C parameters for each antenna. Refer to the relevant
ATU manual.
Noise Blanker Controls: The KNB2 option is required to use
these controls. The noise blanker is always turned OFF on power-
up, and you should leave it off unless needed. When it is turned on,
the receiver will be more susceptible to interference from strong
signals. To turn on the noise blanker, tap the
N B switch. You’ll see
N B 1 , N B 2 , and O F F in that order. The N B 1 and N B 2 modes
provide short or wide pulse blanking intervals, respectively. One
may be more effective than the other, depending on the type of
noise. In either mode, the NB annunciator will turn on.
The noise blanker provides two thresholds of noise detection: high
and low. If you hold
L E V E L the noise blanker will toggle between
these two modes, with the display showing H I T H R or L O T H R .
High threshold is the default and should be used in most cases. If
you select low threshold, the noise blanker may be more effective
on certain types of noise, but it will also leave the receiver more
vulnerable to strong in-band signals. When L O T H R is selected,
the NB annunciator flashes as a reminder.
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