[Elecraft] K2 question on options

Wed Jul 13 00:28:42 EDT 2011

Thanks Robert,

     that was very helpful.  I wouldn't consider myself a CW op, but it
is my preferred mode.  My CW is distinguished by 'tick' like random
moments when I can't even send my own call sign right.  

     I would like to hear from someone who has the filter, what their
impressions are.  I'm not overly impressed with the DSP as I've
experienced it on my IC-703, but it can make a difference even if it no
longer sounds natural.  So I'm leaning towards getting the filter.

     The K3 was too much radio for me, the station here now is a 50W
analog TT Argosy running off of SLA batteries and solar charged.  With
respect to the amplifier, I thought about waiting to see what the
external 100W amplifier being designed for the KX3 will be like.  It
would be nice to have the K2 as a battery portable, and an external
power amplifier when needed.  SSB is a must have, for checking into
nets.  It can be done in CW, but SSB is more convenient especially if
the net control doesn't copy CW, or when you need a relay and the relay
station cannot copy CW.

     I was thinking of the 160M option, but more for the 2nd (receiver)
antenna input than actually using it on 160.  If I add it, it will be
later.  And I'd like the transverter mod.  But at the same time I don't
want to have rarely used options drawing current from my batteries.

     Other reasons for buying the K2 over any other radio are, its
battery friendly with both reasonable current draw and lower voltage
operation.  It is also a reasonable size to travel with, and I'm
considering it for possible mobile operation (with an external power
amplifier).

     Wish I could play a guitar, or something, I don't seem to have that
kind of talent :-(

            Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 2011-07-13 at 03:51 +0000, Robert G. Strickland wrote:
> 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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