[Elecraft] OT - American hamming in UK

Thu Nov 29 23:39:34 EST 2007

David,

    I guess my observation was that the reviews seemed to be less 
favorable for the more recent units. Could be just random, but then 
again, it could mean something.

    Also, when I'm going to depend on something (like using it in a trip 
as Mike is), I feel a lot better about it if it's been in use a while. 
Every piece of electronic equipment suffers from "infant death." That 
is, the highest failure rate occurs at the beginning of the unit's life 
cycle. So, generally, if it makes it past a week or two, it's likely to 
last some years without trouble.

    Regards,

    kurtt

    Kurt Pawlikowski, AKA WB9FMC
    The Pinrod Corporation
    kurtt at pinrod.com
    (773) 284-9500
    http://pinrod.com

David Wilburn wrote:
> I have put quite a view hours on mine here at the house, and have taken
> it on trips.  The only complaints I have, is the binding post through
> holes are oriented in an odd manner, by whomever built it, and the
> banana plug connections are mini-bananas.  
>
> I took it apart to see if I could re-orient the post, and it wasn't
> worth the effort, too much stuff in there.  I could not find mini-banana
> connectors that were capable of carrying the load that the K2 generates.
> So I often had to wrap the wire around the binding post.  Which I didn't
> particularly like.  I wanted something easy on, easy off, that I didn't
> have to worry about coming loose.  YMMV
>
> I have not ever noted an issue from the fan, or had any problems with
> it.  It has traveled with me when I was on the road full time, and run
> radios at the house here that were on for 6 or 8 months at a time, for
> packet telpac node.
> -  
>
> David Wilburn
> k4dgw at k4dgw.com
> K4DGW
> K2 S/N 5982
>
>
> On Thu, 2007-11-29 at 21:37 -0600, Kurt Pawlikowski wrote:
>   
>> David and Mike,
>>
>>     The eHam reviews ( http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3856 ) seem to 
>> indicate that it has a loud fan. The more recent reviews (this year) 
>> seem to indicate more problems. I would guess, unless I had a "tried and 
>> true" PS, I'd be a little leery of taking anything on such a trip.
>>
>>     Regards,
>>
>>     kurtt
>>
>>     Kurt Pawlikowski, AKA WB9FMC
>>     The Pinrod Corporation
>>     kurtt at pinrod.com
>>     (773) 284-9500
>>     http://pinrod.com
>>
>> David Wilburn wrote:
>>     
>>> I have traveled with this MFJ power supply, and used it with a K2/100,
>>> and an IC-703, without issue.
>>> http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-4225MV
>>>
>>> Adaptable power connections for other countries are available at any
>>> office / computer store.
>>> -  
>>>
>>> David Wilburn
>>> k4dgw at k4dgw.com
>>> K4DGW
>>> K2 S/N 5982
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, 2007-11-29 at 22:00 -0500, Mike Geddes wrote:
>>>   
>>>       
>>>> To my friends across the pond (and here in the states): My son and I are 
>>>> traveling to UK in mid-February to visit some family and see the country. 
>>>> Flying in to London, then heading north to Newcastle and points beyond, 
>>>> ending up in N. Scotland.  Some of my ham buddies are encouraging me to take 
>>>> a rig and do some hamming to try and make some contacts back in the states. 
>>>> If I do, I will be taking my K2/100 for the job. I have some questions in 
>>>> this regard:
>>>>
>>>> 1) Do you think it will be more trouble than it is worth trying to get radio 
>>>> gear through security, customs, etc?  I will have it secured in a Pelican 
>>>> type case with custom fit foam.  Just don't want a hassle in trying to get 
>>>> it in and out of the country.  2) Suggestions for a nice portable 20a 
>>>> switching power supply?  I am looking for a smaller unit I can include in 
>>>> the case with the radio. And it must have 110/220v power options.  I saw an 
>>>> Alinco that seemed to fit the bill. I welcome your ideas.  3) What type of 
>>>> power plug adapter would I need to fit the receptacles in your fair land? 
>>>> 4) What antenna would you suggest . . . I am thinking about a 20 and/or 40 
>>>> meter coax fed dipole. Again, open to suggestions.  5) Any licensing tips or 
>>>> suggestions?  From what I read it appears there is a reciprocal agreement in 
>>>> place.  I just need to make sure I have a my license and a copy of the 
>>>> agreement.
>>>>
>>>> Sorry if an off topic post like this is inappropriate here. I do know there 
>>>> are a number of UK hams (and Elecraft brothers) on this reflector and 
>>>> thought they may have some helpful insight.  As well as you yanks that have 
>>>> maybe already done some hamming from UK.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks and 73,
>>>> Mike
>>>> N4JX
>>>>
>>>> K1/4  #2319
>>>> K2/100  #6042
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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