[Elecraft] K2 question on options

[Robert G. Strickland]

Ron...

The K2 here has all possible options: 160m, nb, ssb, dsp and amp. 
Obviously, there's little reduntancy in this list. So, how useful is 
each mod? I have no antenna capability on 160m, so aside from some 
listening, of little use. Depends on how serious you are about 160m. The 
NB at times does wonders in a quiet, urban setting, yet doesn't stop all 
noise. A good buy. I'm virtually all CW here, using ssb when it's the 
only option for rare DX. The SSB module does well enough without any 
bells and whistles. If you lean towards SSB, then necessary; elsewise, a 
sub-hobby. The DSP is quite versitile with lots of adjustments. The 
implementation of the DSP technique is beyond my evaluation; there may 
be much better out there, or maybe not. That said, I can taylor its 
action in ways that I find regularly useful, again on cw. I've listened 
to SSB using the DSP, and I find it of no help for me and noteably 
worse, again from my own subjective experience. I have not tried the 
passive filter that is available. I read that those who have them 
generally consider them to be useful. The few A-B comparisons between 
the AF and DSP units that have appeared tend to favor the DSP rather 
than reject the filter. Your ear may sound different. I like the amp. I 
drive a 500w amp in contests and sometimes for DX, so the amp is 
required for drive. By itself, at any spot from 10w to 100w, it's a 
nifty performer. If you see yourself as being a K2, QRP'er,  then the 
amp is obviously not necessary. Otherwise, nice/required. The K3 is not 
that much further out of financial reach, and that should be considered. 
On the other hand, building/assembling a K2 and its mods tends to give 
one a lifetime of inner ham radio satisfaction, as you probably know. 
That's good therapy all by itself.

So, that's my take on it, from a very small pistol, who is happy to 
break into the top 25, occasionally, when not playing guitar.

Have a good day. 73 to all

...robert

On 7/13/2011 01:21, R Thompson wrote:
> My K2 is near completion, minus the options, which haven't been ordered
> yet.  There is one or two where a decision must be made, and I'd very
> much appreciate some help with them.
>
> The big one would be whether to add on the traditional audio filter or
> the DSP instead.  I'd like to keep current draw down for battery
> operation, and I'm not sure if I like the sound of heavily DSP filtered
> audio (as it sounds on my IC-703).  The bigger noise issues I have seem
> to be AC power line buzz, and ignition noise if I use it mobile.
> Hopefully the noise blanker option will handle the latter.  Is DPS worth
> the extra money and load on a battery?
>
> Other options I'm looking to add are the noise blanker, the SSB board,
> and likely the transverter and 160 metre options.
>
> Any recommendations?
>
>             Ron VE8RT
>
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-- 
Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net
Syracuse, New York, USA