[Icom] Rig advice

Sun, 23 Feb 2003 08:04:33 +0800

Eddy,

I built two K2 in the past and my name is still under the builder's list.  I
would entirely agree to George's comments about K2.

73

Johnny VR2XMC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eddy Avila" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 10:47 PM
Subject: RE: [Icom] Rig advice

> 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!"
> >