[Elecraft] I'm convinced...

[KC4KGU@ENTERZONE.NET]

I had a friend over today who has an IC-706MKIIG.  He wanted to hook it up
to the antenna farm here and see what it would do on HF.  (The only non-FM
he had ever worked on it had been 2m and 440Mhz SSB two nights previous
when I twisted his arm to do so.)

The 706 RX was OK.  Next to my TS-2000, it was, of course, kinda
dissappointing for him. We never could get any answers to CQ on SSB with
the 706 though. I should have left it that but, he wanted to see
what my K2 would do.

I fired up on 28.400 at 10w showing on the K2 (about 5w at the antenna
after the tuner and 150ft of 8x) and instantly had a SSB QSO with a
gentleman in Montana.  The trip was 1,467mi.  He gave us a 5/5/9 report on
the K2 and he was 5/9/9 (running QRO).

This was the first time I'd worked QRP on 10m so, it was quite thrilling
for me.  (That and the fact that we could shake someone out of the sticks
with the K2 and not with the 706!)

Loads of fun.  Looks like we're going to have another K2 builder/owner
soon since my buddy now swears he's going to sell the 706 and build one.

73 de John - KC4KGU