[Icom] Rig advice

Fri, 21 Feb 2003 19:26:21 -0600

Eddy, the K2 is indeed a remarkable radio in many respects. Is it a
replacement for a PRO? For some things, you could not tell the difference.
For other things, there is no comparison and the PRO wins hand down. The
front end of the K2 is quite good and that is what is usually emphasized by
reports that the K2 is in the same league as the $3K rigs. But the IF
crystal filtering leaves a lot to be desired and the frequency calibration
is barely acceptable.

The K2 is intended to be a complete QRP station in a small box and with all
the accessories and options it is exactly that. Carry it anywhere and
operate for a few hours off the self-contained battery. All bands 160 - 10,
SSB, CW, you name it.

But, when the going gets tough, the K2 simply does not have the tools one
needs. For example, a common situation that the K2 has a great deal of
difficulty handling - at least for me - is the case of a fairly weak CW
signal with a steady carrier almost at the same frequency that tends to fill
in the blanks between characters making the CW almost impossible to read.
The K2 has no notch filter or IF SHIFT or any such tools. All you can do is
vary the IF bandwidth over four pre-tuned values, vary the dial tuning, and
switch to CW-Reverse. If none of those work, you do not copy the station.

With a PRO, however, one touch of the Manual Notch and the carrier is gone,
leaving enough of your CW signal for solid copy.
There are, of course, other scenarios in which the basic K2 simply does not
have the operating tools that might be required.

On the other hand, the receiver is sensitive and quiet internally. I have
not yet found a case where I could copy a signal on the PRO or PRO2 that I
could not copy on the K2 - maybe not as well, but I could hear the signal.
The transmitter is stable, sounds very good on CW and is acceptable on SSB
though far from the sound of a PRO on SSB. Keying is good and no
dot-shortening with QSK.

All sorts of pros and cons, but it seems to me a major case of
overenthusiasm and lack of judgment to dispose of top-line gear and replace
it with a K2 solely on the basis of performance. Where space limits dictate
a small radio, the K2 would be very hard to beat for a QRP rig. On my
operating desk I have at one end the IC-765 which looks like a small
warehouse it is so big; next comes the original PRO with the PRO2 next to
it; and finally the little K2 at the other end looking totally out of place
with all those big rigs.

But, I find that I use it a lot not so much for QSOs as for general
listening while working around the shack, etc. For QRP competitions, such as
the Fox Hunts, I use the PRO2 although I have used the K2 with good
results - just a little more work.

I guess the bottom line would be to compare the K2 and the PRO in the manner
you would a Honda Civic and a Cadillac Deville. Both are well made, look
good, run smooth and quiet, and will get you to the grocery store and back.
Some folks prefer the Civic for its particular capabilities and merits while
others prefer the Caddie. I am fortunate to be able to have both - actually
a Saturn L300 sedan and a D'Elegance Deville - but since Momma "adopted" the
Saturn as "her car" there is no further competition as to which does what
the better.

You asked for my advice, so here it comes: by all means keep the 751A, just
as I have kept my 765. They are old, but reliable and sturdy and will be
around forever. If you can swing it, a PRO2 can be had for about $2500 now
with power supply, fancy mic, free shipping, etc. and is the best buy out
there. If not, a good used PRO is well worth the money and is, I believe, a
much better investment than the K2. Later on, if you get an interest in QRP
operation and/or field operation, then a K2 or the less expensive K1 would
be appropriate.

But, I could never honestly advise you to get a K2 instead of a PRO - they
are good, but not *that* good! I presume that you are interested in the QRP
version of the K2 without the 100 watt amp. If you add the amp and all the
options to the basic K2 you will spend more $$ than a good used PRO will
cost you. Used K2's with all options are selling for  around $1000 these
days. The K2 kits will run around $1200 plus another $400 for the amp and
another couple of hundred or so for the 100-watt antenna tuner. Not a cheap
radio by any means, but very unique in what it does and how it does it.

Thanks for asking for my opinion - and remember that is all it is and
everyone has one!  <:}

73/72, George
Amateur Radio W5YR -  the Yellow Rose of Texas
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13QE
"In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better!"

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of Eddy Avila
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 12:18 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Icom] Rig advice

George....just eavesdropping but I noticed you mentioned both the K2 and the
ICOM PRO....hope you don't mind sharing your opinion, please? I'm at a point
of selling a bunch of stuff and now considering buying either the K2 or the
ICOM 756 PRO .... probably not a PROII because of the expense! I currently
have the ICOM 751A which I really like and intend keeping the rig....so,

I've read/heard the K2 is an impressive hf rig and rivals the $3K hf
rigs....has this been your experience as well, or is this more wishful
thinking and hype? Does the K2 hold its own with these more expensive rigs?
I operate mostly CW and intend to keep the 751A for SSB work so the K2 would
be used primarily for CW....

Thanks for any insight you can offer!!! Given the costs of these radios
nowadays I really am trying to make an "informed" purchase and I'd love to
be in your position to own both but that can be at the moment!

73's .... ed

>From: "George, W5YR" <[email protected]>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: RE: [Icom] Rig advice
>Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 09:41:05 -0600
>
>Johnny,
>
>I echo Larry's remarks except to add that in my case I have kept my IC-765
>even though I have since purchased the original PRO and now a PRO2. The 765
>is a classic and built like a battleship. I recommend that if possible you
>hang onto your 765 and still get the PRO2. It is a much superior radio to
>the 765, but the 765 is still superior to a good many others.
>
>I use the JPS NIR-12 outboard audio DSP unit with the 765 and with my
>Elecraft K2. It is a big help but nowhere nearly as effective as the
>internal IF DSP of the PRO2.
>
>73/72, George
>Amateur Radio W5YR -  the Yellow Rose of Texas
>Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13QE
>"In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better!"
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
>Behalf Of Siu Johnny
>Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 2:01 AM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [Icom] Rig advice
>
>
>Hi Larry,
>
>Just my personal comments.  IC756 (original) has already been better than
>IC-765.  Therefore, applying the same logic, IC756 proII should be better.
>Please visit Adam AB4OJ's web page at www.qsl.net/icom.  You would get an
>answer.
>
>While external AF DSP unit is good (I use a Clear Speech Unit with my
>IC756), it cannot be compared with IF DSP where you have a whole range IF
>filter selection.  The IF DSP filter of IC756 pro II is within AGC loop so
>that pumping effect by surrounding big guns has been much reduced.  With
>advancement of electronic technology, the drawbacks previously facing IF
>DSP
>filters have been gradually overcome.
>
>It would be a big jump in performance if you replace your IC765 with IC756
>proII.  Clearly, I do not say that your IC765 is of no good but the IC756
>family is better.
>
>73
>
>Johnny Siu VR2XMC
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Larry" <[email protected]>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 3:34 PM
>Subject: [Icom] Rig advice
>
>
>I'd appreciate some advice from IC-765 & IC-756ProII users. I currently
>have an IC-765 which is in near to perfect condition.
>
>Should I...
>1) Hang onto the 765 perhaps adding a good audio DSP unit or,
>2) Upgrade to the 756.
>
>Thanks
>73 - Larry W�NFU
>[email protected]
>
>----
>Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
>Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.315 MHz
>Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/

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----
Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.315 MHz
Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/