[Elecraft] What it's all about (first QSO with K2).

[Darwin, Keith]

So how did the K2 work?  Wonderfully.  QSK is smoother than the TenTec's
I've owned.  Audio is cleaner than any other rig I've owned.  The rig is
easy to use and works well.  I already miss IF shift a bit but I'll
learn to live without it.  10 watts CW isn't much but was enough to do
the job.
 
Tuned the antenna to 40 meters.  Dialed in 7120 KHz, the SKCC hunting
ground.  Hooked up my Speed-x straight key and called CQ at 10 watts a
few times.  In the middle of a CQ call, I heard another station call CQ
a bit off freq.  Chalk one up for QSK.
 
I tuned him in and answered his call.  His fist was a bit rough but I
could get 90% of what he said.  We chatted for over 30 minutes.  I gave
a 479, received a 459.  Broadcast QRM at 2300 UTC was getting bad as the
QSO went on.  I certainly appreciated the cleanness of the K2 receiver
under those conditions.  Other guy turned out to be 88 yrs old and using
a straight key.  I really enjoyed chatting with him and was quite
grateful to Elecraft, the K2 and this reflector for allowing me the
privilege of meeting this OM on the air and getting to know him just a
bit.
 
Sometimes a contest-grade receiver is useful for completing a
non-contest, non-DX QSO. 
 
He has no QSL cards (said so during the QSO) which is a bit of a
disappointment.  I'd like a card from him.  Still, the memory of the QSO
and my log entry will serve to keep the experience from disappearing.
 
At age 88, his remaining time on the air is up in the air.  I may get a
chance to work him further down the log, or maybe not.  Knowing that
makes last night's chat that much more memorable.
 
Just one of many future QSOs the K2 and I will be enjoying!
 
73!
 
- Keith KD1E -