[Elecraft] Just how good is the K2?

[Brendan Minish]

Hi Brad.
I have a K2 with all the trimmings including the 100w PA and ATU (remote 
mounted in an EC2 case)

A properly set up K2 (take your time and follow the instructions ;-) is a 
phenomenal receiver and the ergonomics are to my mind spot on. My other 
radio in this shack is an Icom 756pro2 when things get tough (E.g CW 
contests) the K2 out-hears the pro2 easily.
A few moths ago I rearranged the shack so as to put the pro2 in the second 
radio position, the K2 is my primary radio.

the K2 drives my Acom 1000 amp very nicely, the band decoder works a treat, 
the computer interface works like the kenwood ts570 so even software that 
doesn't directly support the k2 will work fine.

I also use the K2 from time to time in SSB and am perfectly happy with the 
sound of the received audio and get good reports on my transmitted audio. 
The DSP filtering is a big help in SSB if things are tough going.

If you want general coverage receive or intend to operate a lot of data 
modes the K2 may not be for you but if you want a great CW / SSB rig I 
doubt you could do better than the K2.

As an added bonus you will get a lot of enjoyment out of building it.

73
Brendan EI6IZ k2 # 1642


At 14:29 19/01/2004, Brad Hedges wrote:
>I have read all the reports. I have seen where various contesters use the
>K2. I have even SEEN a K2 <grin>
>
>But I just have a hard time getting over this six pound box the size of,
>well, small.
>
>I am in the market for a new primary rig for the shack. I'm getting a pretty
>substantial tax refund, and short of an Orion, I can get *almost* any rig I
>want. I have pretty much settled on a Yaesu FT-1000 MP Mk V Field, or a used
>TenTec Omni VI+ if I can find one, but there is still that voice that says
>"K2".
>
>I need some pretty hard convincing. I just built a K1, and while I have yet
>to get the transmitter pumping, the rest of the rig is every bit what I was
>looking for.
>
>But it's not a "primary station rig" - at least, not for me.
>
>Help?
>
>
>Thanks,
>Brad
>K0BHC
>
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