[Elecraft] Just how good is the K2?

[Jim Brown]

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 09:29:47 -0500, Brad Hedges wrote:

>I am in the market for a new primary rig for the shack.

I think the K2/100 with the KAT100 tuner is a VERY good choice for CW
contesting if you like to operate at 100 watts or below. Since that's
my style, it is my favorite contest rig. I don't think I've heard a
better CW receiver. One of its major advantages in contesting is that
the KAT100 has outputs for two antennas, and remembers settings for
each, by band. That makes bandswitching virtually instantaneous, which
can be a big help in some contests. And in my home station, where I
have only dipoles and a vertical, it allows me to switch back and forth
from one QSO to another depending on which antenna favors a given
contact or set of band conditions. 

The only serious shortcoming I've found with my K2/100 for SSB is that
the narrow receive filters have pretty bumpy response, so they don't
help as much as they would if they were flatter.  I would like better
narrow SSB receive filters for a serious SSB contest rig. An Omni VI+
or Orion would be my choice in that category.  

Jim K9YC