[Elecraft] Getting ready to order K2

[Brett gazdzinski]

Well, you need to get the antenna, coax, a key, microphone?

I would nix the KPA100, and the DSP, and even the SSB option as
you can receive ssb fine on the base K2.

It might be more fun to put up a G5RV and use the low power
auto tuner, you can go anyplace on any band that way.

If you really want to TRANSMIT the digital modes, I guess
you would need the KPA100, but without a tuner, the swr
needs to be almost zero, something most multi band
antenna's will not do over a useful frequency range
on the lower bands.
You can receive the digital modes fine with the base K2 I guess.

You could build the K2 this year and next year build options,
or are you going to build a K2 every year?

It seems to me like building a K1 or K2 would teach students 
a lot more useful info than most of the other stuff in school.

Brett
N2DTS

 


> 
> So after all this discussion of the K3, here I am getting ready to  
> purchase a K2.
> 
> As I think I have mentioned before, I am setting up a science and  
> technology center in our school, Granite Bay Montessori School.  
> (http://www.gbmontessori.com) We have received a grant from the ARRL  
> to help populate the center with equipment including an amateur  
> station. We have been asked for a list of what we would like and I  
> have decided to go against the flow and request a K2 kit. (They were  
> recommending we choose either a Yaesu FT-897, an Icom 
> IC-706mkIIg, or  
> a Kenwood TS-570SG.)
> 
> My plan is to have the all the kids work on the kit so that 
> they have  
> the feeling of both participation and accomplishment. I also plan to  
> use the assembly and testing procedures to help cement what they are  
> learning about electricity.
> 
> The radios mentioned above all fall into the sub $1000 range so that  
> is a calibration point for what I think we can get away with  
> spending. So my question here is, if you were going to outfit a K2  
> and try to keep the price "reasonable" what would you get and what  
> might you leave behind. As I see it, the absolute must-have items are:
> 
> 1. the K2 itself (duh);
> 2. the SSB module.
> 
> After that it becomes a bit fuzzy. For instance, I would like  
> opinions as to the need for the KPA-100. Note that if I don't 
> opt for  
> the KPA-100 I *will* get the KIO-2. Since I expect to be using this  
> rig mostly in in the classroom with a matched antenna (I am leaning  
> toward the GAP Titan DX as I have one and like it), I probably would  
> not opt for the KAT-2. What about the DSP module?
> 
> The kids are learning the code and I hope/expect that there 
> will be a  
> fair amount of CW operation. (The kids actually think that learning  
> the code will be a cool thing in and of itself. I am using the Code  
> Quick system with them.) I also expect some SSB and digital (AFSK,  
> PSK31, MFSK, SSTV, etc.) operation.
> 
> Anyway, I solicit the input from the folks on this list. You have a  
> lot of experience with the product and can help me make the right  
> decisions.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> 73 de Brian, WB6RQN
> Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com
> 
> 
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