[Elecraft] Just how good is the K2?

[George, W5YR]

Brendan, unless you add the internal audio DSP module or use an external
processor such as the NIR-12 or 599XXX, how on CW do you deal with
heterodynes without a notch filter? With no IF shift available, how do you
deal with adjacent channel QRM other than narrowing the IF or audio filter
(if used) bandwidth? Ditto for SSB?

I use my PRO2 and 746PRO as the main station radios with the K2 sitting at
the ready for portable use and occasional background listening while working
in the shack. I realize that our operating requirements are different in all
likelihood, but I have found no constructive way around the above-mentioned
shortcomings of the K2. I love the little radio for portable use and for
taking on trips - a complete station in a small tool case - but for main
station use, I just don't understand . . .

I can hear on the PRO2 or 746PRO any station that I can hear on the K2. The
exception is that with either PRO I can take that weak "hearable" signal and
work on it with the IF and audio tools in the PROs and turn it into a
readable/workable signal. I have found that either PRO will handle strong
signals as well or better than the K2.

The K2, with the wider filters and higher shape factors, does have a more
pleasing sound on CW, but when the chips are down, the 50 or 100 Hz IF DSP
filters in the PROs remove the QRM and QRN at the loss of some of the
pleasant sound - I can accept that trade-off.

I am not knocking the K2 for what I think it was designed for and the
purposes for which I personally use it. The part I don't understand - based
upon over 57 years of hamming, mostly CW - is why and how it has become
regarded by so many as superior to the PROs and other high-end rigs with
more capabilities. Perhaps my serial no. 489 has not kept up with the
attainments of the latest production units.

This is not intended to do anything other than comment on the technical
merits of the K2 - let's leave off the missionary and flame notes, folks. I
have the K2, I use the K2, and I enjoy the K2. But I do my Fox Hunting on
the PRO2.

73, George W5YR
w5yr@att.net


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brendan Minish" <ei6iz@oceanfree.net>
To: "Brad Hedges" <bhedges@nc.rr.com>; <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Just how good is the K2?


> 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.