[Elecraft] Want details of K2 lockups on field day

[Len Koppl]

I used my K2 for field day and had it in the direct sunlight during the day,
and at uncomfortably cold temps at night.  I was camped at somewhere around
8,300 ft near Rocky Mountain National Park.  The case got too hot to touch
during the day (I normally rest my fingers on the top while I spin the
tuning knob with my thumb).  The rig never locked up, and it did not drift
noticeably during these wide temp swings (I have the PLL temp comp circuit
installed).

I am active in ARES in Colorado, and at one of the exercises last year, I
brought out the K2 just for grins.  I had a 100 W transmitter going on
Pactor on 80 meters while using the K2 at 15 W on 75 meter phone.  The
antennas were physically close (less than 100 ft) and the rigs were right
next to each other.  Surprisingly, there was ZERO interference from the
Pactor rig, and even though conditions were not great, the K2 was being used
by the Boulder County EC to relay traffic that the other stations could not
hear.  I would have been happy just to be heard at all...

While I do not intentionally abuse my K2, I do not baby it either (no
plush-lined case, etc).  It has gone on quite a few camping trips in
ridiculously hot or cold weather, and up some extremely rough 4WD roads.
None of this has adversely affected it at all, and it looks and works as
perfectly as it did the day I built it. (I do, however, bring it in out of
the rain and snow...)

I definitely consider it a piece of emergency gear, and would not hesitate
to bring it on future exercises or real emergencies.

73,
Len, KD�RC


>However, It has been reported that the K2 has "locked up" during field day
>ops while in intense heat and intense use.