To cut down on PC noise, use a metal case with no plastic inserts.
Use ferrite beads/chokes on all cables coming out of case, and if
possible, put a metal plate between PC and radios, I have a metal layer
under my desktop/workbench that is grounded, with the radios above, and
Pc's below, with a LCD monitor connected to each pc through a KVM
switch, with very little if no noise from pc!!!

Bob N9LVU

Ken Bessler wrote:
"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
news:JdVse.4796$kj5.3590@trnddc03...


As for noise floor- take Pete's suggestion or take your K2 to your friends
house and compare signals there.

It is likely the noise comes from your house- switching power supplies in
consumer electronics, fan speed controls, dimmers, microwave ovens etc.

Put the K2 on battery power and turn offf the main breaker into the house.

Dale W4OP




I did that today - WOW! What a difference! Unplugging my PC and
turning off the SEC 1223 ps (leaving the K2 on SLA cells automatically)
made a HUGE difference! The PC was causing 90% of the noise.

My noise floor went from S7 to S4 and new stations just jumped
out of the air.

My friend still hears less band noise than me but only by 1-1.5db at
the most now.

Now, how do I solve the PC noise problem? I guess I could spend
a small fortune in ferrite snap on chokes but I doubt I would be able
to equal how quiet it is with the PC off. If that's so, I doubt I'll bother
- it's just too easy to turn off the PC during net time......

Would a laptop on batteries work without noise?

--
Just my 2¢... 73 es gd dx de Ken KGØWX
Grid EM17ip, Flying Pigs #-1055
Proud builder & owner of Elecraft K2 #4913