[Elecraft] Please end thread re Frustration: The demise of the KAT2

[Tim and Nancy Logan]

Yes Phil - Sounds like I was perhaps a bit premature (well, it was
2am!). I had not seen the description of the raw board and appreciate
you passing it along to me. That really would give total freedom of
choice to all K2 owners.

I really should not have even said anything hi hi! The problem is that I
think the idea Eric and Wayne ended up with is, for me, just PERFECT -
so in my own case I will probably not use the little ATU - but that's my
choice. I do plan to install the KPA100 and use external power if I go
portable (whether QRP or QRO). I was just thinking to myself that I'll
miss using that totally cool little tuner. 

It's such a minor thought that I'm sort of sorry I put it on the
reflector - so I hope anyone else will ignore the thread and drop it.
Thanks again Phil for the sites! There already in my bookmarks.

73/Tim NZ7C

Phil Wheeler wrote:
> 
> 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