[Elecraft] Frustration: The demise of the KAT2

[Phil Wheeler]

Tim and Nancy Logan wrote:

>Hi folks - 
>
>I'm generally very, very positive about Elecraft and the K2, but the
>more I ponder the new amp (which I ordered happily today!), the more I
>feel abit frustrated. I've all along had the impression that part of the
>concept was for existing K2 owners to be able to build the amp and
>install it in an EC2 enclosure along with a higher power ATU. This
>separate amp and ATU could be turned off or on from the K2 control
>panel. I was expecting a high power ATU to follow the amp and, with
>luck, at some point a face plate for the EC2.
>
>If I undestand things correctly now, there will not be a separate
>hi-power ATU that is designed to fit in the EC2 case. I also understand
>that the K2/100 can operate as a QRP or QRO rig. Rather there will be a
>separate ATU that runs both QRP and QRO. I still have not heard from
>Elecraft what the full range of this ATU will be. Many ATU's will not
>activate unless they have a certain minimum wattage. I do not know yet
>if the new ATU will include the capabilities of the KAT2 as well as the
>higher power ATU. I certainly hope it does.  
>
>So as I see it, the final result will be two highly compact boxes that
>can operate QRP or QRO. 
>

Jim,

I think your conclusions are premature.

1.  At least two folks I know of have successfully remoted the KPA100 in 
an EC-2 enclosure.  While not officially supported by Elecraft at this 
date, it appears the design does allow it.  See the last item at:

http://home.pacbell.net/johngreb/KI6WX.html

and

http://www.fidalgo.net/~wa7gxd/

2. Re the 100 W tuner, this from Eric 10 or so days ago:

>Current plans are for the 100W external K2 ATU (KAT100) to be out by September
>or earlier. 
>
>It currently looks like it will be available both in a approximately 1 inch high
>enclosure that will fit under the K2 and also as a raw board that can be mounted
>in the bottom of the EC2 (in a similar manner to the RF board in the K2). It
>basically is a scaled up KAT2 and will integrate with the K2's front panel and
>menu identically to the KAT2.
>
>All of this is preliminary and subject to change as we get closer to release. We
>will post here as we get more details.
>

These words:

>and also as a raw board that can be mounted
>in the bottom of the EC2 (in a similar manner to the RF board in the K2)
>

suggest that Elecraft is making all the efforts needed to provide the 
desired flexibility.

Personally, having the KPA100 installed and operating nicely, I am 
unlikely to go the EC-2 route.  I find I can switch from it to my QRP K2 
in a leasurely five minutes -- most of it spent R&Ring the 4-40 screws. 
 I will likely opt for the tuner in the one inch enclosure format.

73, Phil