[Elecraft] Problem? Don't know

[Wingkeel at aol.com]

73's everyone,

     I don't know if I have a problem or not.  I have made several CW 
contacts with my newly built K2 during the past week.  Most of them, the incoming 
signal goes in and out to a certain extent.  For the most part, I can read most 
of the message but some it gets lost in the mud.  The problem is, I am 
transmitting at 5-watts and everyone is giving me 559 reports.  Could I have a problem 
with my receiver or is the 20-40 meter bands really that flakey lately?  I'm 
using 100' of wire strung 12' off the ground at the balum going to about 30' 
up a tree.  The other side is about 70' of wire thrown over the roof because 
there is nothing back there to connect to because my property ends 5' beyond.  
The antenna is fed by about 50' of RG8X.  My K2 has the antenna tuner built in 
and gives me a 1.1:1.  I can almost convince myself that there is no problem 
becuase I am answering contacts that nobody else is coming back to.  If only I 
had more experience...  If only I had started this 40-years ago...  But then 
again, IF a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his butt on the ground...

Thanks everyone for the wonderful feedback when I was building my K2.

                                73 de Terry Southern - KC0QZX