Hi Dave and All, That's why I have my KPA100 and KAT100 in the EC2 case. The KAT2 has been in the K2 top lid for 5 or 6 years and never had a problem. No reason to remove it from the K2. This way I can go back to the pure QRP K2/KAT2 operation in a minute by removing 3 or 4 cables between the K2 and the EC2 case. It’s the best of both worlds.
The only extra I had to add was the KIO2, but since I love to work PSK31 it’s a natural addition. Regards, Steve Pituch -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A.Belsley Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 5:56 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KAT2, why did it take me so long? I just got back from my annual trek to Martha's Vineyard, but operating the K2 was a bit different this year. My home qth situation does not accommodate an ATU very well, so I avoided getting the KAT2. And, of course, once I added the KPA100, that issue seemed to become moot. However, when I'm at the Vineyard, I put the original lid back on to the K2 and operate qrp. I use my slingshot to throw a 112' wire into a tree (the other end is anchored to the lightning rod on the end of the converted barn) and I pitch a 33' counterpoise out the loft window. I used to tune this with an MFJ 934 tuner with artificial ground. This worked very well on 80-10. But then I began thinking: if I am going to use the original lid only under these kinds of circumstances, maybe it makes sense to add the KAT2. Which is what I did. And, boy, yes!!! I sure don't know why I didn't do it earlier. Because I built the ATU just shortly before leaving and didn't have much time to test it except to see that it was working, I lugged along the MFJ box, just in case, and the MFJ-259, which is very useful in finding initial settings without using the K2's power. Well, that was a waste of space. I could have left those boxes at home, as well as an assortment of cables and a coax switch. The KAT2 tuned that same antenna set up (I added a second 16' cp) fantastically well on all bands 160-10 (1.1-1 or better). I just wish the bands were in as good shape as the KAT2 behaved. Although it tuned top band, I wondered just how well I would be able to get out. I tried twice and made good contacts both times, once getting a 599 from K9DX in IL (of course, he was about 30 db over s9, running a kw and an appropriate top-band antenna). Add to that the fact that the settings are remembered, so switching bands merely required pushing the band button, and, wow, who could ask for more. I sure don't know why I didn't do it earlier. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.9.8/61 - Release Date: 8/1/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.9.8/61 - Release Date: 8/1/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
