[Elecraft] K2s

[Don Wilhelm]

Robin,

I understand about your pleasures of the K2, but I doubt you will see 
any more upgrades to the K2.  Just enjoy it as it is right now (unless 
yours could use the upgrade kits that are available).

Parts for the K2 are becoming harder and harder to source, but Elecraft 
has done a magnificent job of trying to keep up with alternatives as the 
availability of the original parts has vanished.  A few that I have been 
involved with are the substitution of the speech processor on the KSB2 
option, the unavailability of SA612 ICs in DIP format, and the lack of 
trimmer capacitors that were used in the past (which created the demise 
of the K1 4 band board).

I am not sure how much longer the K2 can "hang in there" as a new kit 
with the world switching to SMD components and leaving the thru-hole 
components behind as obsolete.  Time will tell, but what I am saying is 
that Elecraft has made successful substitutions so far, but there will 
be a day when that is no longer possible.  I also hate to think of the 
time when proper replacement parts for the K2 are no longer available, 
but I do see "the writing on the wall".

So to ask for improvement for an 18 year old design may be asking for 
more than can be reasonably accomplished at a desirable price point.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/24/2016 12:09 AM, Robin Bayer wrote:
> For casual CW, the K2 sounds and performs. Sometimes I daydream about a
> K2s upgrade kit. Finer tuning,  encoder controls, Band memories, all those
> aftermarket mic, level out,  an 1/8 phone jack, modern internal battery. Oh
> and easily adjustable DSP filtering.
>
> A K3 is out of my range, well maybe a well used one someday.
>
> For QRP contesting, and scanning the bands for signals, nothing beats the
> KX3, Win4K3 and a good sound card for the Pan adapter. During CWT the
> signals were tight, but hardly a click with the filter tightened. A great
> value.
>
> Building most of the accessories for my K2/10 and almost all worked
> immediately!  I am still pleased to share it in my station report during
> rag chews.
>
>