[Elecraft] a K3 owner's contest reflections on the K2

[Bill Coleman]

On May 27, 2007, at 8:57 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:

> 3.  What's wrong with the K2 for cw contesting (IMHO)
>
> A.  The QSK is almost worthless.  At the first setting above Ø.ØØ, you
> just can't hear between the dits and dahs.

Depends on how fast you are sending. But, I agree, you really can't  
hear much between elements, only between characters and words.

> C.  The AGC is not set up correctly.  Weak signals are, well, too weak
> (audio) and strong signals blow my ears off.

Something is wrong with your K2. The K2 has, hands down, the best AGC  
action I have heard on any radio, bar none. It is very difficult to  
tell the very strongest signals from the weaker ones without looking  
at the S-meter.

Now, if you turn the AGC off, you'll get the effect of blowing your  
ears off.

> I don't use RIT/XIT in the contest (since I"m qrp, I don't "run"
> much), so I don't miss the lack of the CLEAR button.

With 100w, you can run a bit more. RIT is essential. Having to clear  
by turning a knob to a given position is a pain. I don't see much of  
any use for XIT, however.

> I use the
> "400hz" filter (forget what it is exactly) and it is wide enough so I
> can hear callers substantially off frequency without RIT'ing.  For my
> style of contesting, I NEVER change the XFIL selection (good ears, I
> guess).

I have my filters set up for 1000 Hz, 400 Hz, 160 Hz, and OP1. I  
usually tune the bands with the 1000 Hz setting. If the contest gets  
really crowded, 400 Hz does the trick. I also use some DSP filters  
along with the crystal.

> Anyhow, the K2 is a might fine contest radio for qrpers

Or even for Low Power or QRO use -- the K2/100.

> I
> cannot think of a better radio VALUE for contesting.  This is
> hands-down the clear winner, probably over the K3 also.  The K3 is
> (hopefully) also a great VALUE for contesters, but the K2 is just
> impossible to touch.

Likely. Still, I think the K3 is closer to the radio I want. When I  
get to the point I can afford one, I'll buy one.

> OH yeah....I worked 896 stations, 439 prefixes, and a claimed score of
> 991,262.  Not too shabby for a $600 box.

Good score!

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901