[Elecraft] Century 22 vs. K2.

[Darwin, Keith]

I picked up a used C22 last night.  Had one years ago and remember it
fondly.  So, partly for old time's sake, I got another.  I hooked it up
next to the K2 and began tuning around.
 
Wow, was 40 meters alive with signals.  The lower end of the band was
packed.  I narrowed the C22's audio filter down almost all the way
before I started to hear the open spaces between the signals.  The rig
sounds pretty good and has nice big knobs.  I miss big knobs.  I
listened to the C22 for a bit then switched to the K2.
 
Wow, what a difference.  Suddenly 40 meters is not alive with signals,
but has quite a bit of open space between each signal.  The background
sounds quieter, smoother in the K2.  AF hiss is much lower in the K2
than the C22 which was a bit of a surprise.  I had expected the rather
simple receiver design in the C22 to produce minimal AF hiss.  Not so.
 
QSK in the C22 is not as good as the K2.  The C22 gives thumps and pops
in the headphones and speaker during QSK.  K2 is far smoother and
quieter.
 
Certainly, it is not a fair comparison but just the same, having another
rig has renewed my my "Wow Factor" for the K2.
 
- Keith KD1E -
- K2 5411 -