[Elecraft] K2 QRO or Not?

Thu May 6 00:54:01 2004

 All,

I received many replies to my inquiry.  Thanks to all on the reflector for
your input and information provided.  I've had many replies that I should
put more into antennas vs. power.  Actually, this is what I've recently
done.  I put up a 2-element 5-band lightning bolt quad and wow what a
difference.  I now have a new found hobby in amateur radio (DXing!)  This is
my first beam and up until now, I've only had wire dipoles of limited height
and a R7 vertical.  Now that I can hear all of that DX, I'm looking to
proceed with the SSB option only to pick up the SSB DX.   I work almost
entirely CW even when I had a commercial packaged rig.  With only about a
week with the quad up, I've worked about 20 countries and some countries
more than once (a lot of UA stations.)  I'm also considering the KPA100
option for that extra oomph when needed to get the contact when the majority
of the competition is running at least 100 watts.  What I have generally
learned though is that if I can hear them well, I can work them with 5-10
watts.  Sometimes you just have to wait in line a little longer.

As mentioned in my original posting, the K2 is my only rig, so when
considering 100 Watts I was contemplating the purchase of a used 100W rig
vs. the KPA100 option.  I've been surprised to learn how many responses I
received by people that have a K2 along with a high end packaged rig e.g.
1000MP, IC-756 TS-850 and that they use their K2 more than they do these
rigs due to the receiver of the K2.  With no commercial rig on-hand to
compare the K2 with, I may have lost the realization of what I really have
in the K2 and to proceed with upgrading the K2 vs. going with a used 100W
packaged rig.  Thanks again.

Hpe to cu on the bands.

John - KI7V
#3706
http://www.users.qwest.net/~jlsmith3/index.html

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 1:46 PM
To: 'Elecraft Mail list'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 QRO or Not?

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 

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

Hello all,

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.

73s,
John - KI7V
K2 #3706

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