[Icom] Rig advice

Sat, 22 Feb 2003 14:47:46 +0000

Thanks again George for your insights into the K2!!! It really helps to hear 
from guys that don't mind presenting a more realistic picture of the K2 and 
Elecraft -- otherwise I'd have to spend the money on one to find out it 
doesn't meet my expectations!

I (and the xyl) always wonder why I need to buy something else given when I 
was a novice in the early 60's I learned to do well with an old Layfette 
general coverage receiver (filters, what filters?!) and Knight T60 Xmtr and 
I managed to work the world with this setup....Well, the answer of course 
is: after all these years you'd think I deserve a new toy once in a while 
(at least, this is my argument I make to my wife! HI)....

I think I'll watch the used market for a K2 and wait to find one cheap 
enough to buy and play with then if I don't like it just sell it.

best 73....ed

>From: "George, W5YR" <[email protected]>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: RE: [Icom] Rig advice
>Date: 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
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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/

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