[Elecraft] Changes from 100 watts to 10 watts

[k4wtf@ENTERZONE.NET]

On Tue, 31 Dec 2002, Julian (G4ILO) wrote:

> The trouble with the 10/100W argument is that it applies equally to
> 100W/1000W. There's always going to be a situation where more power would
> help. 

Tim the Tool Man Tailor comes to mind.  Boy, I wonder if there would be
any fingerprints left on his hands after he completed a K2?  (Or the front
panel board for that matter!)

> 
> But 100W is just an arbitrary figure: it's neither QRP nor the legal limit.

I'm pretty sure that some research went into the 100w "defacto" power
level that most of the off-the-shelf HF rigs are capable of.  Otherwise, I
can't imagine why everyone would choose around 100w.  It would be
interesting to know just what the research was though.

> But my only disagreement is with those who think that a 10W radio is almost
> worthless. Like those who wouldn't buy a K2 kit while there was no 100W PA
> available; those who gave Wayne and Eric hassle over the long period
> between the PA's announcement and it's appearance, and the few who actually
> sold their K2's because they were fed up with waiting. I think the problem
> is that in many people's subconscious, one tenth the power equals one tenth
> the number of contacts. If that were really the case, QRP would not be such
> a popular branch of this hobby. (But it probably explains the number of
> people who run 100W and are received at S9, who are surprised that my 10W
> are almost S8!)

The KPA100 wasn't available when I ordered my K2 and to be quite honest, I
don't think that it ever crossed my mind.  I don't know who it was,
hopefully they'll step forward, but, I stumbled upon a K2 owner running
PSK31 on 20m I think one night.  We chatted for almost an hour with 100%
copy.  He was camping and 100% battery power with an expedient antennam,
his K2 and a laptop.  He was running 2-3w but was making trip to here from
somewhere on the left side of the country just fine.  He expounded upon
the virtues of the K2 for a while and answered the obvious questions like
"was it hard?" "How long did it take?" from me.  After we went QRT, I
fired up the laptop and went out to the elecraft site.  A few days later,
a box full of parts that would later become K2 #2490 arrived at my house!

I'm not sure if I should feel sorry for or envy the guys who sold their
K2's prior to the KPA100 being released.  I mean, they missed out on some
operating time with the K2 but, now, they get to build another one!


Happy New Year and remember every one, if you're going to drink, don't
drive!  And if you're going to drive, watch out for the fools who ignore
the first suggestion!

73 de John - K4WTF