[Elecraft] Frustration: The demise of the KAT2

[Tim and Nancy Logan]

Thanks Dave, Phil, Charles, etc - Yep, I guess I did jump to conclusions
and was premature.You guys are very much right on the mark and I
appreciate the feedback. I had not heard the range on the new ATU  - so
thanks for the info Dave. 

As I mentioned in an an email I just sent a few seconds ago, I should
have kept my silly mouth shut! Thanks everybody and have a great day!
Regards, Tim NZ7C

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