[Elecraft] Alligators and Bats

[Tree N6TR]

I thought these QRP messages were really "test" message in disguise.

I guess I don't see the connection between having a K2 and QRP.  Sure, it is
a low power radio - but that isn't the reason I bought one.  I can run QRP 
just about as well with my TS850 by turning a knob.  I even did that for
an all out SS SSB effort once (yes, on SSB).

The reason I bought a K2 - is for the receiver.  I am hoping (I haven't 
actually listened to one yet) that when I slip on the headphones and listen
to the sounds that come out of them- that I will feel like I am in my
living room listening to my audio system.  I want to make the connection 
between the ionosphere and my brain as clean as possible,  I find the
in-band IMD distortion of a weak signal in the QRN to be totally unacceptable
with my current radio - everything turns to mush.

Hopefully, with the K2, I wlil be able to work more weak stations (I don't
really care why they are weak), which translates into a competitive advantage
in the contests.  

Working QRP stations outside of a contest is always a bit more fun.  I do most
of my non-contest work on 160 or 6.  I can remember working guys with 5 watts 
and a 2 meter 5/8 wave vertical mounted on a garden shed (on 6).

For me - the receiver is the hard part - and the main reason to buy any rig.  
Being a kit makes it fun to own and you can feel good about the quality.
Being small and portable is great - even more so when you are a two radio 
kind of guy.  These are the cross-over attributes that will make the K2
a more sucessful product in the long run.  

The K2 - it's not just for breakfast anymore...

Tree N6TR/BV enjoying my jet lag