KX2 A Tale of Two Radios

Product Information

Table of Contents

• CHAPTER 1. BEFORE YOU START
  • 1.1 Ordering Your New KX2
  • 1.2 KX2 Options
  • 1.3 What You get When You Order
  • 1.4 Key to Symbols and Text Style
  • 1.5 More Information
• CHAPTER 2. KX2 CONFIGURATION AND CALIBRATION
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Power On and Off
  • 2.3 Configuration Menus
  • 2.4 Configuring and Updating the KX2
  • 2.5 Configuring the KX2
  • 2.6 Calibrating the KX2
  • 2.7 Other KX2 Set Ups
• CHAPTER 3. KX2 OPERATIONS
  • 3.1 Band and Mode Selection
  • 3.2 Tunable Functions
  • 3.3 VFOs
  • 3.4 Dual-Watch Receiver Mode
  • 3.5 Operating Split
  • 3.6 Memories
  • 3.7 Noise blanking and Noise Reduction
  • 3.8 Audio Effects
  • 3.9 Using an External Speaker
  • 3.10 Clock
  • 3.11 Programmable Function Key
  • 3.12 Setting Keyer Speed and Output Power
• CHAPTER 4. CW
  • 4.1 Getting Started
  • 4.2 CW Weight
  • 4.3 CW Break-In Operation
  • 4.4 CW Front Panel Controls
  • 4.5 Connecting a Key
  • 4.6 Setting Your Sidetone Pitch
  • 4.7 Zero Beating the Station
  • 4.8 Computer Operated CW
  • 4.9 CW Message Memories
  • 4.10 The KX2 CW Decoder
  • 4.11 Using the KX2 Utility Program for CW
• CHAPTER 5. SSB
  • 5.1 Getting Started
  • 5.2 KX2 Microphone Set Up
  • 5.3 The Digital Voice Recorder (DVR)
• CHAPTER 6. DIGITAL MODES
  • 6.1 Data Modes
  • 6.2 Data Text Decode
  • 6.3 CW-to-Data
  • 6.4 Using the KX2 Utility Program for Digital Modes
  • 6.5 Data Mode Computer Connections and Set Up
  • 6.6 Radio Teletype (RTTY)
  • 6.7 PSK
  • 6.8 Other Digital Modes
  • 6.9 Riding the Thermals
• CHAPTER 7. KX2 OPERATING HINTS AND KINKS
  • 7.1 Reducing Interference with Filtering
  • 7.2 Notch Filter
  • 7.3 Noise Rejection
  • 7.4 Preamplifier and Attenuator
  • 7.5 RF Gain Control
  • 7.6 Receiver Audio Equalizing
  • 7.7 VFO B Alternate Displays
  • 7.10 Oops, Why is it doing That?
• CHAPTER 8. KX2 HARDWARE
  • 8.1 The KX2 Receiver
  • 8.2 The KX2 Transmitter
  • 8.3 The KXBT2 Li-ion Battery Pack and KXBC2 External
    Charger
  • 8.4 The KXIO2
  • 8.5 Antennas and Antenna Tuning
  • 8.6 KX2 Interface Circuits
• CHAPTER 9. USING THE KXPA100 AMPLIFIER AND KAT100 TUNER
  • 9.1 The KXPA100 Amplifier
  • 9.2 Basic Operation
  • 9.3 KX3/KX2-Controlled Operation
  • 9.4 The KXAT100 Autotuner
• CHAPTER 10. KX2 UTILITY PROGRAM
  • 10.1 Configuring and Updating the KX2
  • 10.2 Firmware
• CHAPTER 11. WHY CAN’T I MAKE QSOS WITH MY KX2?
  • 11.1 The Transmitter and Antenna
  • 11.3 Balanced and Unbalanced Systems, Baluns and Un-Uns
  • 11.5 Cut Your Losses
  • 11.6 Some Antennas
  • 11.7 The Gods of Propagation–Part II
  • 11.8 Why Can’t I Make a Contact Troubleshooting Flow Chart
  • 11.9 More Information
• APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS
• APPENDIX B. MICROPHONES
• APPENDIX C. KX2 CONFIGURATION MENU
• APPENDIX D. KX2 FIRMWARE UPDATE RECORDS
• INDEX

Product Usage Instructions

CHAPTER 2. KX2 CONFIGURATION AND CALIBRATION

• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Power On and Off
• 2.3 Configuration Menus
• 2.4 Configuring and Updating the KX2
• 2.5 Configuring the KX2
• 2.6 Calibrating the KX2
• 2.7 Other KX2 Set Ups

CHAPTER 3. KX2 OPERATIONS

• 3.1 Band and Mode Selection
• 3.2 Tunable Functions
• 3.3 VFOs
• 3.4 Dual-Watch Receiver Mode
• 3.5 Operating Split
• 3.6 Memories
• 3.7 Noise blanking and Noise Reduction
• 3.8 Audio Effects
• 3.9 Using an External Speaker
• 3.10 Clock
• 3.11 Programmable Function Key
• 3.12 Setting Keyer Speed and Output Power

CHAPTER 4. CW

• 4.1 Getting Started
• 4.2 CW Weight
• 4.3 CW Break-In Operation
• 4.4 CW Front Panel Controls
• 4.5 Connecting a Key
• 4.6 Setting Your Sidetone Pitch
• 4.7 Zero Beating the Station
• 4.8 Computer Operated CW
• 4.9 CW Message Memories
• 4.10 The KX2 CW Decoder
• 4.11 Using the KX2 Utility Program for CW

CHAPTER 5. SSB

• 5.1 Getting Started
• 5.2 KX2 Microphone Set Up
• 5.3 The Digital Voice Recorder (DVR)

CHAPTER 6. DIGITAL MODES

• 6.1 Data Modes
• 6.2 Data Text Decode
• 6.3 CW-to-Data

The Elecraft KX2 ­ Ultra Portable, Handheld, HF Rig by Fred Cady ­ KE7X$

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1.

BEFORE YOU START

1.1

Ordering Your New KX2

1.2

KX2 Options

1.3

What You get When You Order

1.4

Key to Symbols and Text Style

1.5

More Information

CHAPTER 2.

KX2 CONFIGURATION AND CALIBRATION

2.1

Introduction

2.2

Power On and Off

2.3

Configuration Menus

2.4

Configuring and Updating the KX2

2.5

Reset ­ When All Else Fails

2.6

Configuring the KX2

2.7

Calibrating the KX2

2.8

Other KX2 Set Ups

CHAPTER 3.

KX2 OPERATIONS

3.1

Band and Mode Selection

3.2

Tunable Functions

3.3

VFOs

3.4

Dual-Watch Receiver Mode

3.5

Operating Split

3.6

Memories

3.7

Noise blanking and Noise Reduction

3.8

Audio Effects

3.9

Using an External Speaker

3.10

Clock

3.11

Programmable Function Key

3.12

Setting Keyer Speed and Output Power

CHAPTER 4.

CW

4.1

Getting Started

4.2

CW Weight

4.3

CW Break-In Operation

4.4

CW Front Panel Controls

4.5

Connecting a Key

4.6

Setting Your Sidetone Pitch

4.7

Zero Beating the Station

4.8

Computer Operated CW

4.9

CW Message Memories

4.10

The KX2 CW Decoder

4.11

Using the KX2 Utility Program for CW

CHAPTER 5.

SSB

5.1

Getting Started

5.2

KX2 Microphone Set Up

5.3

The Digital Voice Recorder (DVR)

CHAPTER 6.

DIGITAL MODES

6.1

Data Modes

6.2

Data Text Decode

6.3

CW-to-Data

6.4

Using the KX2 Utility Program for Digital Modes

6.5

Data Mode Computer Connections and Set Up

6.6

Radio Teletype (RTTY)

6.7

PSK

6.8

Other Digital Modes

6.9

Riding the Thermals

CHAPTER 7.

KX2 OPERATING HINTS AND KINKS

7.1

Reducing Interference with Filtering

7.2

Notch Filter

7.3

Noise Rejection

7.4

Preamplifier and Attenuator

7.5

RF Gain Control

7.6

Automatic Gain Control ­ AGC

7.7

Audio Effects ­ AFX

7.8

Receiver Audio Equalizing

7.9

VFO B Alternate Displays

7.10

Oops, Why is it doing That?

CHAPTER 8.

KX2 HARDWARE

8.1

The KX2 Receiver

8.2

The KX2 Transmitter

8.3

Software Defined Radios ­ SDRs

8.4

The KXBT2 Li-ion Battery Pack and KXBC2 External Charger

8.5

The KXIO2

8.6

Antennas and Antenna Tuning

8.7

KX2 Interface Circuits

CHAPTER 9.

USING THE KXPA100 AMPLIFIER AND KAT100 TUNER

9.1

The KXPA100 Amplifier

9.2

Basic Operation

9.3

KX3/KX2-Controlled Operation

9.4

The KXAT100 Autotuner

CHAPTER 10. KX2 UTILITY PROGRAM

10.1

Configuring and Updating the KX2

10.2

Firmware

CHAPTER 11. WHY CAN’T I MAKE QSOS WITH MY KX2?

11.1

Radio Wave Propagation ­ Part I

11.2

The Transmitter and Antenna

11.3

Standing Wave Ratio ­ SWR

11.4

Balanced and Unbalanced Systems, Baluns and Un-Uns

11.5

Cut Your Losses

11.6

Some Antennas

11.7

The Gods of Propagation–Part II

11.8

Why Can’t I Make a Contact Troubleshooting Flow Chart

11.9

More Information

APPENDIX A. GLOSSARY AND DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX B. MICROPHONES

APPENDIX C. KX2 CONFIGURATION MENU

APPENDIX D. KX2 FIRMWARE UPDATE RECORDS

INDEX