+++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2001 14:03:53 -0700 From: "Bob Tellefsen" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 Hi Daryl Got a chuckle from your question on this reflector--"Does anyone have any opinions of this rig ?" We are an opinionated lot here. I'll bet you get lots of replies. To answer your question, the K2 is a marvelous portable rig. If you are backpacking, though, size and weight are only part of the equation. How much battery do you propose to take along? If you run lower power, say 1-2 watts, whatever battery you have will last somewhat longer. Are you day hiking with the K2, or taking a week's supplies along as well? For a day hike, the K2 would be just dandy. For a longer trip, I would suggest the K1, as it was designed for that application. Physically smaller and lighter. Trail friendly antennas have been discussed at some length on the Adventure Radio Society web page. You might check there for some ideas. Lightweight dipoles, with or without feeders, are commonly used. A longwire can be used but matching can be a problem at some lengths and frequencies. I would suggest you give some thought as to what you want to do while backpacking--ragchew on 40m, chase a little dx from a high spot, operate during a weeklong camping trip, etc. We may be able to provide more pointed answers if we know what your intentions might be. 73, Bob N6WG - -----Original Message----- From: owner-elecraft at qth.net [mailto:owner-elecraft at qth.net]On Behalf Of Daryl Cline Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 10:37 AM To: elecraft at qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K2 I am going to purchase an Elecraft K2 for mountain biking and Backpacking. Does anyone have any opinions of this rig ? Also I am interested to know what different people use for light weight antenna systems. Especially those who backpack. Thanks. ===== ******************************************* Daryl Cline WB4YEX Harrisonburg, Va. http://www.cfw.com/~jdc "She changed me into a Newt.... I got better" +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 13:31:20 -0600 From: "Robert Armstrong" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 update after three Field Days Ya'll K2 SN 0000013 is the veteran of three Field Day experiences, numerous trips to the field in many conditions, and daily operating since I wrote my original review of the K2 in the ARS Sojourner magazine http://www.natworld.com/ars several years ago. Perhaps an update with some thoughts might be interesting for newcomers. 1. As a QRP contesting radio, the K2 has no match. This year NC7X ran in the 2A category and made about 1550 QRP CW QSO's. The other radio was a FT1000MP. The difference in the two radios was immense ... in size and power consumption. In performance they were equally matched. I find the built-in CW memory ackward to use and have not contested with it, but it is OK for casual use. 2. The receiver in the K2 is more than wonderful. My TS570 is gathering dust (anyone want to buy it, cheap?). There have been a few times when I needed more power due to poor band conditions, but on those occasions the TS570 has been useless because it won't hear bad-band signals that are fully readable on the K2. 3. The autotuner in the K2 is the best I have ever used and is no less than astounding in it's versatility. It is a little slower than some, but consistantly finds matches when other tuners give up. 4. The internal battery holds up well and has worked well for solar power applications (with some minor modifications to the rig). It has added greatly to my operating pleasure. 5. The K2 has lived in a tent for weeks at a time and has held up well. I use a dust-free, waterproof high impact plastic handgun case for my K2. In this case the K2 has endured many, many miles of travel on very rough roads in the back of my 4WD truck, suffering no problems due to mechanical instability whatever. The knobs and buttons still function like new. I worry a little about the headphone jack on the front panel where the paint is starting to show some wear, and am concerned that the jack it is taking a beating, but so far all is well. Heat and ice have not seemed to bother the K2 operating outdoors. 6. The original noise blanker circuit worked amazingly well ... the modified circuit (changed shortly after production) is not nearly as good in my opinion. I wish I hadn't changed it in my isolated operating environment. 7. After having built and used this radio, it feels like an extention of myself. I'm sure Wayne and Eric designed it especially for me. It is the "funnest" radio I have ever used. 8. The K2 is great for camping and portable use. It is NOT for backpacking - too big, too heavy. I have a set of Wilderness radio SST's and a Sierra that is much better for the trail. I have seen an K1 in action in the field and am impressed, but won't trade in my five-band fully equipped Sierra for a two band K1 (yet). Thanks for the bandwidth. "Backpacker" Bob N7XJ, Utah ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 07:24:58 -0700 From: "N7SG K7FD" Subject: [Elecraft] K2: Apples vs Oranges When someone finally quantifies 'FUN', you'll see the K2 comes out way ahead. You can add 'SATISFACTION' and 'PEACE OF MIND' to the equation, too. Sure the K2 is a hot performer, but it's the fun that keeps me coming back! And the satisfaction of seeing something I built come to life. Not to mention the peace of mind of knowing I can do my own modifications and repairs when needed... 73 John K7FD, K2/586 K1/52 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 10:27:45 -0500 From: "W3SZ R Rehr" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 as main station? Hello, Ed and the list: I built the K2 shortly after it was 'introduced' to the larger ham radio population at Dayton several years ago. I have SN 334. The K2 replaced an ICOM 735. I had the opportunity to compare the K2 side by side with a Ten-Tec Omni VI+ as IF for VHF/microwave work, and with a Yaesu FT 1000 MP for HF work. In both cases I felt the K2 held its own, although in the case of the 1000MP there were a few (CW) signals that I thought I could copy better on the MP; there were an equal number that I thought I could copy better on the K2. Because the MP seemed to hear better on a few signals, I went out and bought one this past spring, so I've had extensive experience comparing the MP (which many feel is the finest xcvr out there) with the K2. I found that the K2 is just better as a receiver. Its strong signal handling capability in the real world is superior, its noise blanker handles noise the MP cannot. I had previously written a note to the reflector on this comparison, the germane portion of which follows: I had played with an MP at a friend's house, side by side with my K2 under difficult HF conditions, and found the two receivers to be on a par time after time. But I liked the 'creature comforts' and the feel of the MP. So I bought one. Used it for as IF rig for terrestrial contests. Worked fine. Then I began to experiment on 2 meter EME comparing it to the K2, and comparing both to a homebrew dual conversion receiver I built that uses Linrad (Leif Asbrink's software) running on a P4 1.4 GHz as the final IF processor. I didn't just 'listen', but also used Spectrogram to look at S+N/N under a variety of conditions, quiet and noisy, with and without noiseblankers. Well I found that the K2 stacked up very well to Linrad, though I prefer running Linrad because with it I can see 30-40 KHz of the EME segment all at once, can receive both H and V pol at the same time (and have the receiver match receive polarity to the polarity of the incoming wave), and I can use a 20 Hz filter. But the MP, which did fine under quiet conditions, folded when the pulse noise came on. Its noise blankers could simply NOT handle the pulse noise I get here adequately, with ANY setting of either blanker. The noise was incompletely eliminated, and significant degradation of the signal under test occurred. As far as EME goes, my MP serves me well, but ONLY as a shelf on which to place the K2 (expensive shelf). I wish it weren't so, as I do love some of the features of the MP (0.625 Hz tuning steps and its RIT for example) and I don't like the idea of having spent the $3000+ (rig plus filters and other accessories) for inferior performance, but its receiver is NOT up to the K2's in this application. And no, I am not going to sell the MP...it works fine as a standalone transmitter when I run the Linrad receiver, and it does well in applications that don't require a receiver of the K2's caliber, like HF and terrestrial contests. The receiver test data published by the ARRL shows that the K2's receiver (run with the preamp on) is superior to both the MP and the Omni in terms of MDS, IMDDR#, IP3 and Phase noise. And this doesn't include the effects of the Noise Blanker, where the K2 is clearly superior to the MP and all other rigs I've used. This agrees with my experience. - -----end of previous email snippet I work primarily VHF and microwave although I do some HF work as well. I have found that using a rig as IF for weak signal work places far greater demands on the rig than HF work does, and I have used this test (using a rig as IF for VHF/microwave) to 'separate the men from the boys', as it were. I haven't turned the MP on in a couple of months, except to see if it still works. As noted above, it serves only to place the K2 at its preferred height above the desktop. Probably qualifies as the most expensive K2 accessory out there, in terms of $ spent for functionality achieved in this regard. So can the K2 serve as primary rig? Absolutely. Though if u use it for HF you may want the PA option in the future... Hope that helps... 73, Roger Rehr W3SZ FN20ah 2 Merrymount Road Reading, PA 19609-1718 http://www.qsl.net/w3sz +++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 15:35:51 -0800 From: "Douglas Westover" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 as main station? I get uniformally good reports on both the "punch" and audio quality of the K2 on SSB. SSB is not my "first" mode, much prefering CW, but when I've tried to pick up a new country on phone the K2 at 10 watts hasn't failed me. As far as the K2 as a "main station" rig it is for all practical purposes now my main station. My TS-870 hasn't been turned on in months. When I need a little more "suds" i can drive my AL-80A to about 200 watts. Once the 100 watt PA arrives, I plan to buy a second K2, sell my '870, using my current K2 (with battery & tuner) as a back-up / portable / emergency rig. My 2 cents. Doug W6JD, K2 #1626 +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 04 Oct 2002 14:37:45 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net, QRP-L , GQRP Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft K2 articles in QEX, CQ; K2/100 review in Nov. CQ The Elecraft K2 is featured in this month's CQ Magazine (Oct.) in an article titled: "Musings on an Experiment in QRP" by W9KNI. Bob writes about how he rejuvenated his interest in ham radio with the K2 running QRP to hunt DX. Also, watch for a new K2/100 product review in the upcoming November issue of CQ magazine. QEX Magazine (the ARRL technical journal) features the K2 in the current Sept./Oct. issue. The article is titled The DX Prowess of HF Receivers, by Tadeusz - SP7HT (page 36). This article covers the receiver performance that is important for use in real world, strong signal situations. Tadeusz describes the important types of dynamic range measurements and phase noise impact and he gives a detailed description of the K2's receiver design. Naturally we're pleased as he ranks the K2 as #1 in receiver performance :*) 73, Eric WA6HHQ +++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2002 07:22:59 -0600 From: Lee Buller To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Impressed...Again! I am a contester. I love contesting. I love CW contesting. Well, I put the K2/100 on the 10 meter CW contest yesterday to dink around with the contest. I must have worked 50 countries. I almost got 500 QSOs just dinking with the contest. The rig worked perfect. I did a lot of running on one freq....and the heat sink did get hot. The fan was running so I took and old pan-motor fan and just placed it to the side of the K2 and it handle everything fine. Heat was not a problem and I do not think the heat was a problem to begin with. I am sure Elecraft tested this heat sink to extreme temps. Hunting and Pouncing is great!. The filters are very good with nice skirts....and there was very few times that it did not handle strong signals. I was truely impressed with the selectivity of the rig. Now, I have operated rigs from 756PROII ... 950SDX...IC765...and a host of others. I pick the K2 at this point. Amazing little receiver. I am taking the rig along the next time I go to a multi=multi and see what other guys have to say too. I think they will be impressed..... Great Radio. Great Service too. Great Company. I am sure we will see more stuff coming out of Elecraft which will be fantastic. Lee Buller - K0WA +++++++++++++++ From: "Leo Starrenburg PA5LS" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 08:15:25 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] In the dark, allmost. LS, last night I was listening on 80m in my shack, when we lost the 220V ac supply. Suddenly the room was dark, and every piece of equipment stopped. Everything except my K2, the internal battery took over and it kept on working just as usual, allowing me to finish the qso. If Elecraft is contemplating a television commercial, this would make a nice scenario :-) 73' Leo PA5LS +++++++++++++++ From: Kevin Rock To: Elecraft , Vic Rosenthal Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 20:01:53 -0800 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] In the dark, allmost. Once when I was working on my computer the power company knocked on my door to tell me the power would be shut off for an hour. So I took the K2 and a battery out on the back porch. The bands were very quiet. So I worked a number of stations until the power came back on. The noise level jumped to about S5 in an instant. I had thought my antennas were not very good until that day. I learned that living in the city is not where you want to be an amateur radio operator. Now I live on a mountain in Oregon miles from my nearest neighbor. It is very quiet too :) Kevin. KD5ONS 1/23/2003 8:03:15 AM, Vic Rosenthal wrote: >Leo Starrenburg PA5LS wrote: > >> Suddenly the room was dark, and every piece of equipment stopped. Everything >> except my K2, the internal battery took over and it kept on working just as >> usual, allowing me to finish the qso. > >I presume you noticed the tremendous drop in noise as all of the thermostats, >doorbell transformers, motors, computers, and 'entertainment' equipment for >blocks around quit. This once happened to me and the bands sounded almost as >quiet as they do when I'm on a camping trip! > >Vic K2VCO +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 10:17:42 +0000 From: "Julian (G4ILO)" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RSGB Article To: "Elecraft List" I wrote a review of the K2 after I finished building #392. I never offered it to RadCom as my understanding was that you have to be a member of one of the committees, or a pal of someone who is, before they will take you seriously. I did send my review to Practical Wireless, who wrote back that they never accepted unsolicited reviews because they wanted to ensure impartiality. I thought that was a joke given the already dreadful quality of reviews in that publication. Incidentally, I've never seen it mentioned on the reflector but there is a good two page review of the K2 in, of all places, the 2003 catalogue of Waters and Stanton PLC (the major ham radio dealer in the UK.) What's even more interesting is that it is written by Peter Waters himself. According to the caption of the main photo, the K2 is now Peter's current station. So get this: the boss of Britain's biggest ham dealer, who has the latest gear from every manufacturer in the world at his disposal, chooses to operate a 10W Elecraft K2. Can you get a better endorsement than that? 73, -- Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392) G4ILO's Shack: http://www.qsl.net/g4ilo R Hirst wrote: At Last the RSGB is publishing an article on the K2! I contacted them = some 2 years ago by phone and they were disinterested. Never heard of = the K2 I was told. I don't know how you managed it Bob but well done. I = wonder why its taken some 3 years? The Far Eastern products seem to be = reviewed as soon as they hit retailers. Rowland G4APO K2-236 K1-156 +++++++++++++++ From: To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 13:10:10 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Interesting aftermarket observation - a plus for Elecraft Hi folks - I think we need to add one more positive attribute to the K2 - K2/100. I have sold a completed K2 as well as a completed K2/100. They both sold in within about 2 days or so with lots of inquiries and for what I thought was a reasonable price. (I guess I just love building them because my third complete K2 station is on its way to me from Elecraft!). The people that bought them were absolutely thrilled. Now comes along my Pro II - which I guarantee you folks gives the K2 a run for its money....but it IS a different type of operating experience. I sold a Pro to upgrade to a bargain on a Pro II. Now I am selling the Pro II. Both radios proved very slow to sell with a limited number of inquiries. Infact when the Pro II comes off Ebay tonite I will withdraw it from the market and holding on to it due to no nibbles. But here is the point. It looks like people have very little reservation about buying a pre-built K2 as compared to the Pro rigs. I find that amazing - because I would expect most buyers to be concerned about a "home built" rig. To the contrary - Elecraft seems to have created a kit radio that has a tremendous after market. That my friends is saying something! Of course maybe that's just my experience.....but 2 for 2 so far the Elecrafts come out way better in the aftermarket than the Pro's! 73/Tim NZ7C ++++++++++++++++