[Elecraft] Frustration: The demise of the KAT2

[Dave Gingrich K9DC]

At 01:04 5/31/2002 -0700, Tim and Nancy Logan wrote:
>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.

Jumping to conclusions maybe?  Elecraft has said from the very beginning 
the only supported configuration is an internally mounted KPA. That can 
easily be swapped with the non-KPA top including the battery and KAT2. The 
external antenna tuner is a future product that will be out this fall sometime.

>If I undestand things correctly now, there will not be a separate
>hi-power ATU that is designed to fit in the EC2 case.

Elecraft never said this was even a gleam in their eye. They did say it 
might work, but it was definitely in the "you're on your own" category.

>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.

Elecraft has said it will have the same capabilities as the KAT2, except be 
able to handle higher power. This includes tuning at 3 watts or less.  Even 
the high power SGC tuner will tune at 3 watts.

>So as I see it, the final result will be two highly compact boxes that
>can operate QRP or QRO. I like that idea (wish I knew that was the idea
>in the beginning), but I have to admit that this sort of renders the
>alternate lid with battery power and KAT2 useless unless you like to
>hike with a QRP rig or have a once a year need for a self contained QRP
>field rig.

No... It means you will have to take 5 minutes to swap the tops.

Personally, I am considering a second K2, one for QRP with portable 
capability and one permanently QRO...  But I'll get there...ahh....Later  HI.

Still waiting for my KPA... ordered on 9-May <sigh>  OTOH, I won't have to 
pay for it now until July!

-Dave

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Dave Gingrich, K9DC - Indianapolis, Indiana  USA
K2 #2211, K1 #931, QRP-L #2376, ARS #1109,
FPQRP #389, IRLP #473, k9dc.ampr.org, CCIE #6748
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