[Elecraft] My K2 experience

[Steve L.]

I built my K2 in a week, it powered-up without a hitch
except I hadn't really read the operator's manual
before I tried to use it (Doh!).

It was *really* fun to build, winding the toroids is
part of the experience, just do it!

Being over 45, I have a jeweler's magnifying headset
so I could read the tiny lettering on the smaller
parts and so I could inspect the solder joints. A huge
help in winding the toroids, too.

I did the preliminary IF filter alignment per the
book, it sounded like hell. Then I realized I'd
changed the CW offset (Spot) frequency from the stock
600 to 800 Hz (I have crappy low frequency hearing)
and you must re-align the filters after that.

Rule #1: Download Spectrogram and use it to align your
filters, it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I
liked it so much, I paid for it and use it for all
kinds of cool stuff now.

I get this thing on the air and really I'm astounded
at the neat features in this little box, it's one hell
of a radio. I love everything about it: dual VFOs for
real split, cool memory settings, CW memory keyer,
super low power on Rx, real RS232 CAT interface...
dang.

I find the audio driving the speaker to be good and it
sounds really good in a set of headphones. I've
compared it in A:B tests with my FT1000 MKV and it
hears as well. I have no SSB experience with this
radio at all, but it's excellent for CW.

So, if you are monitoring this reflector and wondering
if you should, you should. Now.

73, Steve N4SL K2 #4272


	
		
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