[Elecraft] K2 #3679 first contact etc.

[A.K.Forrest]

Just to keep up traditions made my first contacts with K2 #3679  this 
weekend with Macedonia on 20m and North Morocco on 15m (I'm in London 
England), both using SSB. I should also say that these were my first 
ever contacts. I just got my license a few weeks ago. Quite a rush 
when someone out there actually mentions your call sign. Reports were 
53 and 55 but it is only 10 watts into a MQ26 mini-beam.

Build went smoothly and worked first time, almost. I could only get 2 
watts on the lower frequency bands because the PA was oscillating. 
After spending hours checking my soldering, coil winding etc. it 
turned out that my cheap 3A power supply was not up to the job. 
Replacing it with a 25A supply that I bought ready for the KPA100 
solved all the problems and I now have 10 watts + on all bands.

My main problem now is that due to space limitations I only have 
aerials for 20-6m. This makes it hard to find someone to comment on 
audio quality or just have a chat with. I own the top two floors of a 
house but don't really have access to the ground. At least I have the 
roof. A company in Italy is making a Poynting vector aerial for 40m 
(and others) that is only 4 foot long. I think I may try that. The 
RSGB RadComm magazine seemed to think it was OK. Anybody any 
alternatives?

I have the KPA100 kit and its about half finished and the KAT100 kit 
is waiting patiently in the cupboard.

Roll on the K3. The K2, if it was a car, would be a Lotus 7. Fast and 
light. I would like something a bit more like an Aston Martin. Just 
as fast or faster  but more creature comforts. My wish list

Ultimate dynamic range (see off the Ten Tec Orion)
High level "H" style mixer
Fully synthesised from one oscillator using DDS and PLL to give 1Hz 
resolution and stability
Calibrated S meter
Choice of AGC time constants
Microphone amplifier (I had to use an external one for my Hiel proset)
Very variable SSB filtering (passband tuning +)
Full PC interface built in

And finally some kind of modular construction system which doesn't 
have to be complete the first time the radio is sold. The system of 
connectors on the K2 is very clever but isn't future proof. Maybe 
some kind of screened modules on edge connectors?

This has been a lot of fun so far and I look forward to having more. 
The K2 receiver is exceptional and the instructions are great. If you 
are thinking of building one, do it but set aside a lot of time.

73
Andrew Forrest
M1KAZ