[Elecraft] K2 QRO or Not?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I have run 90% QRP and 10% QRO (100 watts) for the past 30 years on HF =
CW. I
do not consider myself a "dedicated" QRP-er.=20

I currently run a K2/100 and I am often at 100 watts output. It isn't my
only rig. I have some homebrew gear as well, but the K2/100 is my "main"
rig.=20

I'm at QRP levels around the QRP frequencies (7040, 14060, etc) and =
whenever
I run into someone running lower power than I am I match it unless they =
are
having trouble hearing me. After all, the K2 is one of the best "hearing
aids" around.=20

I'm a rag chewer. An hour-long QSO is not at all unusual for me. In =
those
situations, when the other station is also QRO, I run 100 watts to be =
polite
and improve the other station's copy. Most ops run at 100 watts these =
days
thanks to the large number of 100 watt rigs on the market. Unless =
signals
are very strong and stable, it doesn't seem polite to ask the other guy =
to
dig for my signal 1 or 2 S-units below his with me at 10 watts while =
he's at
100 watts. If we're at the same power, most often we're copying =
similarly
strong or weak signals.  "Parity" in power is nice.=20

Sure, some ops run a kilowatt. I don't. There's a limit to my budget for
"politeness" I guess <G>. After all, it takes a kilowatt to make the =
same
improvement in signal over my K2/100 at 100 watts as the 100 watts does =
over
10 watts. That's a huge step up in money for the rig to make a 1-1/2 to =
2
S-unit improvement in signals.=20

What I enjoy about QRP stations is *copying* QRP stations. It doesn't =
take
any more skill to send good CW at 1 watt than it does at 1 kilowatt. The
difference between QRO and QRP is in the receiver and the skills of the
operator at the controls. I always dig for weak signals. Those are often
some of the most interesting ops and lead to the most interesting QSOs. =
The
big thrill for me is to be a new "DX record" for someone running QRP or
QRPp. Because a lot of QRP rigs have limited receivers and I have a very
limited antenna farm, being able to "turn up the wick" so he can copy me =
is
often helpful as well.

I have the SSB module for the same reasons as others have mentioned. So =
I
can play with digital modes. Also, I've been known to pick up a mic and
actually TALK to someone. I did that just.. Lessee, looking the log...it =
was
just September of 2002 I had a brief chat with a buddy on 40 meter SSB.=20

I've run 15 watts or less through a couple of sunspot minima. Unless you
MUST work a new DXCC country every week to be happy, sunspot minima =
isn't an
issue. All that means is that the DX is a little more rare and appears =
on
lower frequencies. Frankly, I get more of a thrill working New York =
State on
80 meters with my miniscule antenna farm than I do piling up contacts =
half
way around the world on 10 or 15 meters. Anybody with a wet noodle can =
work
the world on the higher frequencies when the sunspots are cooperating. =
It's
when they don't cooperate that things get interesting for me.

Ron AC7AC=20


-----Original Message-----

Hello all,
=20
I currently have a basic K2 (no options).  This is my one and only rig. =
I've
been considering purchasing the 100W and SSB option to have the power =
when
needed as we slide down hill in the current sunspot cycle.  There are
options here, such as purchasing a used 100W rig for the cost of the
upgrades or proceed with the K2 upgrades?  Was wondering how many would
recommend the SSB and 100W option for the K2?  It would also be =
interesting
to see how many people use their K2 as their primary rig.
=20
=20
73s,
John - KI7V
K2 #3706
=20