[Elecraft] [K3] Portable Fit: K3 versus K2

[Gary Gregory]

Phil,

i use my K3 portable all the time. I am permanantly Portable in the
Motorhome and so I am constantly moving it in and out of the Motorhome to
operate almost on a daily basis.

Don has explained the differences between the K2 and K3 admirably, as he
always does and his caveat at the end is spot on.

>From my perspective (YMMV) I use many of the features of the K3 daily. For
example, I run DSP full time (CW & Phone), I sometimes need the NB and
because my wire antenna is a 40M double extended Zepp for all bands, I use
the tuner. I like to set my filtering up on 1.6 to 1.9 on SSB and 400 or
less on CW.
When EU is running on 15/15/20/40M bands, there are many stations squeezed
together that we hear in VK and so the filter selection on my K3 is of great
benefit to me. I am in a remote area most of the time so close in stations
to me are rare to say the least.

I cannot comment on the feasilbility of me using a K2 as I have never even
seen one and certainly not used one.

I bought the K3 to do exactly what I am doing and it is a superb radio that
filled my every expectation plus a whole lot more. I am still learning new
tricks with it two years (yep, slow learner) down the track.

If it was me and I had both, I would take both out and have a play to help
decide, my preference would be the K3 I believe.

I do operate PSK31 and SSTV also, but not often.

73's
On Sun, May 9, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> Phil,
>
> I don't have a crisp answer that applies to your own situation, so you
> will have to 'fill in the blanks'.
>
> The K2 was designed initially as a QRP transciever with low receive
> current drain - great for operating from batteries,  That is only
> applicable for the QRP K2 and is not a direct parallel for the K2/100.
>
> The K2 (either QRP of 100 watt version) has a small footprint, so it
> will fit nicely into physically tight places.   It is lightweight (but
> then the K3 is lightweight too), so the cost of transport to DXpedition
> areas is smaller than many other transceivers.
>
> The K3 makes a very nice portable transceiver, but if you want to leave
> the K3 at the home station, and do not want to purchase a 2nd K3 for
> portable ops, then the K2 may be a better fit for you.
>
> The K3 has more features than the K2, but whether those features are
> needed depends on you particular portable operating aspirations.
>
> As a "for instance", I have the K3/100, but I take the K2/10 with the
> KAT2 and the KBT2 along when I want to do portable operation at QRP
> levels - If I wanted to operate at the 100 watt level, I would take the K3.
>
> Bottom line - no real answer, but consider your own desires and
> anticipated operating scenarios, and you will have the answer that most
> closely matches your needs and desires.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Phil Hystad wrote:
> > When I got my K3/100 I had been thinking that I would use it in portable
> operations at times.  The kind of portable I mean is one that does not
> necessarily operate on just battery power.  I am thinking of grid connected
> power too.
> >
> > But, now that I have so much hooked up to my K3 here in my shack and more
> to be added when the P3 arrives that it might be good to get something in
> addition to this K3 for portable ops.
> >
> > A lot of guys talk about buying a K3 and using their K2 for portable ops.
>  I am curious -- other then the obvious cost difference and the fact that I
> don't have a K2, is there any reason why a K2 would be a better portable ops
> rig then a K3?   Is this a silly question?  It is just that I hear so many
> here comment about a K2 being a good portable rig but I don't know if I have
> heard the same comments about a K3.  I am thinking it would be a better
> portable rig.
> >
> > phil, K7PEH
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>



-- 
Gary
VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile
http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/
K3 #679
For everything else there's Mastercard!!!