[Elecraft] Just how good is the K2?

[Earl W Cunningham]

George, W5YR wrote:

"Remember that I was not attempting to put down the K2 in favor of the
PRO2.  I merely was enquiring as to why the K2 has gained such favor as
the "preferred" station receiver, based upon BDR and IMD3 measurements, 
in the face of the features and functions that it lacks in its design."
==========
Clearly the IC-756Pro2 does not have as good BDR and IMD3 figures as the
K2 (and the FT-1000MP).  I have used all three radios in 160-meter CW
contests where many strong signals prevail with the following findings
(all three radios were used with their preamps turned off):

The strongest signals encountered are less than S9+40 dB and BDR has
never been a problem with any of the radios.  

IMD3, which manifests itself by occasional bleeps and birdies being heard
on a clear frequency, has never never been a problem with the K2, even
with the attenuator turned off.  The FT-1000MP eliminates them when I use
6 dB of attenuation.  The IC-756Pro2 requires 12 dB of attenuation to
eliminate them.

My conclusion, then, is that the K2 is the best receiver of the three
with respect to IMD3, with the FT-1000MP placing second and the
IC-756Pro2 third.

Even with 12 dB of attenuation, the Pro2's receiver has adequate gain to
hear even the weakest signals with the audio gain control set to less
than 12 o'clock.  The FT-1000MP's audio gain sits at wide open on those
weak signals, as does the K2's audio gain control.

So, even though the Pro2's IMD3 figures aren't as good as some other
radios, it's not a show-stopper when you are DX or contesting.

73, de Earl, K6SE