[Elecraft] Announcing an Update to the Elecraft K2 Transceiver

[Wayne Burdick]

We're pleased to announce a major update to the K2 transceiver (and K2/100), starting with
serial number 3000. (Looks like a few builders have figured this out already.)

If you've been waiting to buy a K2, you'll find many new reasons to take the plunge. If
you already own one, you'll be happy to know that you can obtain a complete update kit.
(Please hold any e-mail or phone calls about this until we post additional details on the
update kit later this month.)

The updated K2 offers new features, improved basic performance, and simplified assembly.
The most important changes are listed below. These changes make the K2--already one of the
highest-performance ham-band transceivers you can buy--an even better value. 

73,
Wayne Burdick, N6KR
Eric Swartz, WA6HHQ

www.elecraft.com

   *  *  *

New Features and Performance Improvements:

  - All of the most-requested modifications now incorporated into the design
  - Improved temperature stability; includes new pre-wound T44-7 BFO inductor
  - Increase in nominal receiver gain possible using new AGC threshold control
  - improved image rejection on 17 through 10 meters
  - Better LSB/USB pitch matching and flatter 2nd I.F. crystal filter
  - Smoother AF GAIN control
  - More pleasant sidetone sound
  - Speaker grille cloth supplied
  - Support for KAT100 150-watt ATU 
  - Support for upcoming K60XV 60 meter/low-level transverter I/O option

Changes that affect Assembly, Alignment, and Operation:

  - Complete RF probe kit now included (switch spacing tool now doubles as RF probe PCB)
  - Many improvements to PC board layouts; all required or recommended board mods added
  - Crystal filter grounding instructions improved to increase ultimate rejection
  - Owner's manual completely updated based on suggestions from builders
  - Operation section of manual now covers all recent firmware features,
    including all entries in the secondary menu

Other Changes/Enhancements:

  - Reverse-polarity protection diode is now ultra-low-drop type (only 0.1V in RX mode)
  - Improved FINE RIT resolution and better tuning linearity on highest bands
  - 12 pF caps in parallel w/20/30 BPF trimmers eliminates 20/30 alignment difficulties
  - Post-mixer amp collector choke is now a toroid, reducing unwanted S-meter activation
    from out-of-band signals (most often reported on 17 m)
  - VFO ALC changes included (in support of KPA100)
  - Voltage source selector switch on Control board is now a jumper--eliminates unexpected
    "0.0 V" reading in voltage/current display mode