[Elecraft] Changes from 100 watts to 10 watts

[k4wtf@ENTERZONE.NET]

On Mon, 30 Dec 2002, Julian (G4ILO) wrote:

> I don't want to add flames to the fire this thread is becoming, but I'm not
> happy with the insinuation that a K2 without the 100W PA is incomplete.

The K2 was designed as a 100w radio.  If you don't believe me, ask Wayne
and Eric.

> The only thing there's room for in my K2's case is the transverter
> module; adding the PA would entail tossing out the battery pack and
> the KAT2, and I have no desire to build or pay for a PA that I neither
> want nor need.

And you are in the company of thousands of like minded individuals who are
just tickled pink with their K2 in QRP configuration.  You have built the
radio the way you want it.  You don't want or need the amp and that is
just fine.  It doesn't bother me at all.  There is a whole other camp of
people who, for whatever reason, build the K2 with the 100w RF deck.

> It's a pity that Elecraft didn't choose a different model number for the
> higher powered model, to emphasise the difference between them, and so that
> those of us who choose to run low power aren't made to feel that our K2's
> are somehow inferior or incomplete.

Automobile manufacturers have been providing a V8 or V6/4-cyl version of
vehicles such as the Mustang.  I can spot the difference between them
visually from about 50yds away but, it doesn't make the 4-cyl version any
less "Mustang" than the V8.  You built the K2 that you wanted.  You stated
above that you neither want nor need the KPA100 so, obviously your K2
isn't inferior.  If there isn't room for anything but the transverter in
your K2 case, you've obviously got a more "complete" K2 that I have.  I
only have the KSB2, K150M and KPA100 in my K2.

I guess that the only "complete" K2 in my humble and most definately NOT
THE LAST WORD opinion, is one that has every option available for the
configuration (QRP or QRO) being built.

Hopefully, Elecraft will continue to come out with more nifty things to
build for the K2 or to complement the K2.  I don't mind being incomplete
as long as I get to build more stuff!


> I think there's a lot of truth in the basic statement made at the start of
> this thread. The difference between 10 and 100 watts is less than 2
> S-points and I personally think the extra power makes less of a difference
> than those who insist on having the higher power want to believe. I'd
> hazard a guess that at least 90% of the contacts that can be made with 100
> watts, can be made with 10.

I'm going to hazard a guess that the 10% of contacts that require 100w
will be 75m phone and 160m phone.  Come down to 3.875 some summer
night.  When the band noise is at S8, it doesn't do you any good to be S7
with 10w.


> Personally I've had more success, and less frustration, using my K2
> than I've had using any other radio I've owned in the past, which has
> included some 100W models. I'd put that down to the good audio and
> highly effective speech processing, which enables the 10W K2 to punch
> well above its weight.

I agree although, since I use the K2 mostly on phone, I keep the power
knob full clockwise.

> I don't wish to be associated with the offensive suggestion that those who
> bought the 100W PA are not very smart, but I do wish that fewer people
> would consider higher power a necessity. I believe that the so-called
> "Mojo" that many K2 builders talked about in the early days was simply
> people who had never used low power before until the K2 forced them to,
> being surprised to find how little difference there actually is between 100
> watts and 10 watts.

I am very happy that you don't want to be associated with the comments
made by CHARLES K BROWN, 12165 MILLER LN, GRAND BAY, AL, 36541, USA.  I
don't know anyone who does want to be associated with them.

I would like to think that more than a few K2/100 owners think like I
do.  That is - "It sure a relief to know that I've got the extra 10db if I
_need_ it but, man this is cool operating at 2w!"  If the conditions
permit it, I'm not against turning the power knob counter-clockwise.  I
also think that there is Mojo involved with 100w contacts on the K2
also.  It's just spelled "MOjO" vs "Mojo"... ;->


> I'm personally sad that the 100W PA is now available, as I expect that
> many who build a K2 now will never put it on the air until the PA is
> finished, except perhaps for a brief test, and so will never make that
> discovery for themselves.
> 
> 73 de
> 
> Julian, G4ILO. (K2 #392)

I think, and HOPE that people will surprise you Julian!

73 and Happy New Year de John - K4WTF

PS: I'm personally jealous of the low serial number holders like you.