Ted,
I have a fully-developed K2 #380) including
KPA100, KAT100, KDSP2, etc. I've even added the
3rd party MA Board and the Rework eliminator
(together). I also did a full update of everything
in 2014 (ROMs, some updates I'd not done when last
I worked on the K2 in 2004 or so, etc.; it was
quite a job and my Hakko desoldering tool proved
its worth!)
The K2/100 and KX2 are my in-the-back-bedroom
setup: Takes less space on my smaller desk, and
I'm able to use any antenna by throwing switches
out in the shack. Mostly of late I use the QRP
KX2; sort of more fun. My shack off the garage is
not heated and not insulated: Too hot on hot days,
and too cold on cold days; the shack is better
equipped (KX3/PX3 and K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500) but not
always pleasant to use.
I have listened to both the K3 and K2 alternately
side by side in the shack, in fact this morning.
They do sound different, but I can't say one is
better than the other. Of course, since use DSP
filters in the K2 all of the time, and in the K3
most of the time, that's a variable unique to me
and my filter settings. The K3 is easier to
operate, especially on SSB, due to the P3; I have
no panadapter set up for the K2, one of the few
third-party options I've missed. One of these
days I may replace the K2/100 with a more
state-of-the-art radio; I started building mine in
July 1999 and the design is a bit long in the
tooth, but still solid today!
Since I've had no issues with my KPA100's fan,
noise or otherwise, I wonder if you should
consider replacing yours, Ted? Of course, one ear
has stone deaf for 50 years and the other one is
not spectacular (Advantage: No need for subRX in
K3!), but I do hear computer fans, the fan in my
power supply, etc. -- so I'm not "fan deaf"
73, Phil W7OX
On 6/26/16 3:56 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
I know this is runs the risk of reopening an old thread, so I’ll keep the
question focused:
During the FD this weekend I spent about half the time with the K3 line, and
half with the K2. Using the same headset, same antennas, same ambient
environment, but of necessity different filter configurations, I now understand
why some people prefer the K2’s audio to the K3’s. It is a matter of taste, of
course. But I found the K2 simply easier to listen to for long stretches – at
least for my ops which are CW only. It’s hard to describe the difference in
words, so two questions. 1. Has anyone done an analysis of the frequency
response of the audio stages in both rigs, to compare them empirically? My
guess is that the K2’s curve is skewed toward the lower ranges. 2. I have
never set the RX EQ in the K3 – it’s still on what it was when I bought it.
Has anyone tried to make a K3 sound more like a K2? If so, what settings do
the best?
This encomium for the K2 ends, however, when it hits the fan. Running QSOs in
the contest with the K2 and KPA100/KAT100 (in an EC-2) kept the amp’s fan on
pretty much continuously – and the sound it makes is something like a cat being
slowly tortured. It is much more annoying than the fans in the K3, the KPA500,
and the K3 power supply blowing simultaneously, which they almost never do.
Could be a bad bearing? The amp hasn’t been used for 100 hours yet. If it’s
not a flaw, is there an after-market fan that fits the KPA100 cutouts and which
moves as much air but doesn’t make as much noise?
Thanks . . .
Ted, KN1CBR
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
