ELECRAFT KX2 - Band Selection; Mode Selection; Direct Frequency Entry

15
Band Selection
The KX2 transmits and receives in the 80-10 m
amateur bands. It also provides general coverage
receive from 0.5 to 32 MHz, which includes the AM
broadcast band and 160 m.. (Sensitivity and image
rejection are reduced below 3 MHz; see
Specifications, pg. 68.)
Characteristics of each amateur band are briefly
summarized below. For further information, see the
ARRL band plan (www.arrl.org/band-plan-1).
To change bands: Tap BAND, rotate the VFO A knob
to select the desired band, then tap any switch to exit.
You can also change bands using direct frequency
entry (described at right) and memory recall (pg. 24).
Band
(m)
Range
(MHz)
Best
DX
Other
Characteristics
160
1.8-2.0
(RX only)
Night
Challenging “Top Band”; high
power often used to counter noise
80
3.5-4.0
Night
Excellent regional band; many
CW and SSB nets; AM ~3.870
60
~5.3-5.4
Night
Shared with government services;
power level and modes restricted
40
7.0-7.3
Night
Excellent local CW/SSB band by
day; QRP & data modes, 7.03-7.04
30
10.1-10.15
Both
DX possible anytime; no contests
20
14.0-14.35
Both
Very popular DX & contest band;
many nets on SSB; Data modes:
PSK ~14.070; RTTY ~14.085
17
18.068-
18.168
Day
Long-haul DX band; no contests;
“HF Pack” at 18.1575 (often QRP)
15
21.0-21.45
Day
DX/contest band; low power very
effective when band is open
12
24.89-24.99
Day
Excellent DX band; no contests
10
28.0-29.7
Day
Great QRP DX band; CW beacons
(28.2-28.3) show if band is open
Direct Frequency Entry
A subset of the controls functions as a numeric keypad
for use with FREQ. See white secondary switch and
knob labels 0 - 9, decimal point, and enter ( ).
First, hold FREQ . Then enter one or two MHz digits,
optionally followed by a decimal point and up to three
kHz digits. Next tap . (BAND) to accept, or any
other switch to cancel. Examples:
14.255 MHz: FREQ 1 4 . 2 5 5 . . .
7.000 MHz: FREQ 7 .
Mode Selection
Tap MODE to select SSB, CW, or AM mode. Tap
DATA to select data mode (pg. 15). To select alternate
modes (USB/LSB, CW normal/reverse, or DATA
normal/ reverse) use the ALT MD menu entry.
SSB (pg. 20) is either LSB (lower sideband) or USB
(upper sideband). LSB is normally used on 160, 80,
and 40 m, while the other bands normally use USB.
CW mode (pg. 21) uses much less bandwidth than
SSB, providing a high signal-to-noise ratio ideal for
low-power (QRP) operation.
AM mode (pg. 22) has a characteristic “warm” tone. It
can be used for listening to broadcast stations.
DATA modes (pg. 27) are often used with a computer
connected to the KX2 to send/receive text. However,
there are also three built-in data modes that use the
KX2’s display for received text, and a keyer paddle for
transmit, converting the CW you send into data.