[Elecraft] K2 drif problems?

Sun Dec 15 13:07:00 2002

Eddy:
  The 'drift problem' with the K2 is strictly relative.  With the fantastic 
specs and performance of this little rig, owners have come to expect 
something approaching perfection, and in many respects feel they have found 
it with the K2.  One point that is slightly further removed from perfection 
is drift, which occurs in two oscillators, the VFO and the BFO.  In both 
cases, the 'problem' is relatively minimal, and most ops (as prior posts 
have verified) would never notice it in actual qsos; I certainly don't. 
The drift does, however, vary from rig to rig, and while most find no real 
problem, others seem to have concerns -- some because their drift, for 
whatever reason, is substantially more than is typical and others because 
they are putting stringent demands on their K2 for digital operation.  The 
Elecraft crew, as is usual, have not only been aware the issue but have 
made efforts to reduce the relatively small drift to be even smaller. 
Their admirable action, however, has prompted a great deal of recent 
discussion about drift, giving prominence to the issue that is far greater 
than it deserves.  But that often happens on this reflector.

Bottom line: if drift is a concern to you, do not worry about the K2.  No 
rig is completely free of drift, and I must say that I find the stability 
of my K2 to be true fine -- this without yet doing the BFO mod.  I have the 
BFO mod, but I have been in no rush to do it because I have not really felt 
the need. I will eventually do it just because I want my K2 to be 
'up-to-date.'

I suppose there are those who regret getting a K2, but I doubt there are 
many.

best wishes,

dave belsley, w1euy

--On Sunday, December 15, 2002 4:41 PM +0000 Eddy Avila <[email protected]> 
wrote:

> Elecraft reflector question.....
>
> I've seen a lot written on this reflector about frequency-drift problems
> in the K2 (and some fits for this problem) - I don't yet own a K2 - but
> I'm now wondering if this is a significant problem with the K2 that
> should be considered before purchasing the kit?
>
> Now, I've been a licensed ham since the early 60's and I've owned plenty
> of rigs that drifted a lot and this was ok and acceptable given the
> technology of the times! But, with modern osc circuits nowadays I've
> grown accustom to expecting no or almost no freq drift anymore so I'm a
> bit concerned why the K2 (otherwise a killer rig!!) would even have a
> frequency-stability problem at all. This definitely could be a pivotal
> issue as to whether I buy a K2 or not...
>
> Thanks in advance to anyone offering your honest (no flaming please, I'm
> an ardent Elecraft fan!!) opinion on the subject helping to enlighten me
> on this problem!
>
> 73....ed
>
>
>
>
>
>
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----------------------------------
David A. Belsley
Professor of Economics