I've recently completed my second K2 and have been running some side by side trials with my FT1000mp.
My first time around, the K2 was my only rig and having nothing to compare it against I had an element of self doubt that something I put together could perform as well as an off the shelf radio. In the end I sold the K2 and bought myself a FT1000mp, which I've had for a couple of years. To cut a long story short I took the plunge and got another K2 a month back, and since construction have been comparing the receiver against that of the FT1000mp. I've got no test gear to speak of, and have just been switching between the two and comparing received signals by ear. What I can report is that at no time were there signals on the bands that I could hear on the Yaesu that I couldn't copy equally as well as on the K2. This is even listening to weak and noisy 80m DX signals. One major difference I did note between the 2 receivers was the overall audio tone in my headphones of the background noise. It's hard to describe, but when comparing the 2 radios using 500hz filter settings, it almost sounded as if the filters on the K2 were much narrower. I was having a listen again today and decided to hook both radio's up through the soundcard and compare them using spectrogram. Both radios were set to 500hz filter settings (I have all of the optional filters installed in the Yaesu), and again I switched between them and observed the display in spectrogram. Lo and behold, the filter bandwidth on the K2 was roughly 500hz as you would expect, but the FT1000mp showed a filter bandwidth in the region of 800hz. I'd always run the Yaesu using the 500hz filters and liked the tone of the radio, and I was wondering why I preferred a filter bandwidth on the K2 around 800hz... well now I know why! I'll probably hang onto the FT1000mp, as I like all features and it performs well, but it's good to know that the K2 (which cost less than the additional filters in the Yaesu) can receive just as well. Just another couple of observations... 1. Along with some recent options I bought for the K2 I ordered a 'finger dimple'. I must say it was $5 very well spent, as I definitely fall into the camp of those who do not like the K2 tuning knob. 2. Also very impressed with internal ATU for the K2. I have a Cushcraft R8 vertical, which I have always struggled to tune on 80m (I know it is a 40-10 antenna). Even the KAT100 which I had first time around would not tune it. Just for fun I tried the internal ATU tonight and it had no problems, and whilst I was listening to the 80 I even managed to work 3D2(Rotuma) and YJ(Vanuatu) using 10w CW. Good stuff !! I hope I can make the trip and work of few of you in the EQP, although I'll be primarily be having a go in the Commonwealth contest at the same time. Regards David, Vk2NU _______________________________________________ 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
