My first receiver was a low-price National - just barely usable - along
with a HeathKit DX-20. My first really good receiver was in K2 #5957
with amp/ssb/dsp/NL. Since then I've gathered together the K-line
station units, and I am completely satisfied with them. That said, the
K2 is the radio for Field Days. Others in the club bring their whole
home station.I bring the K2 (and a few support items in a small basket),
operate 40m CW, and am fortunate to be able to make a contribution to
our club score. If I had to make a forced choice between the two radios,
I'd pick the K2. The K3 is much the better radio, yet the K2 has deeper
roots in my heart. It's one of my dearest treasures.
Thanks, Wayne and Eric, and all those working and helping at Elecraft!
...robert
On 1/26/2018 23:16, Wayne Burdick wrote:
Who would spend 30 hours+ building an Elecraft K2? Well, me, for
one. I built the very first K2, not long after Eric and I sketched
out the design on napkins right in the middle of Field Day at Henry
Coe state park. (Some claim this is mythology, but I was there :)
That first unit wasn’t even painted, and we had yet to design the
option modules.
Since then, nearly another 8,000 times someone else has asked that
same question, concluding that the answer was “yes." It’s worth
asking why.
Features?
The K2 is very light in weight for an all-HF-band/multi-mode
desktop-style rig (3 lbs). The transmitter puts out 15 watts (100 W
with the bolt-on KPA100 top cover), and the receiver has been proven
crunch-proof over many subsequent Field Days.
Is that why this little radio--our first product--just refuses to
become obsolete?
Maybe it's the crisp sound of the 100% analog superhet RX strip. Or
the continuously tunable, variable-passband 4.9 MHz crystal filter.
Or the blazingly fast break-in CW.
Could it be ease of operation? The K2 has only the most essential
controls--excellent for first-time users--and an embarrassingly small
number of menu entries compared to most modern rigs.
But when I think back on it, now, I believe the real reason for the
K2’s popularity must be that it’s fun to build. Not just fun, but
rewarding: transforming several bags of carefully labeled bagged
components and hardware into a complete ham transceiver, then putting
it on the air. (Somewhere I have a logbook page that says “First QSO
on prototype K2!” that I should frame. It was a unique experience.)
Speaking of parts, 100% of those used in the K2 have leads. There’s
nothing wrong with surface mount construction, but leaded parts are
easier to handle, harder to lose, and more clearly labeled. This
makes for a reassuring, enjoyable assembly process, even if you’ve
had just a little prior experience building.
What got me started on this email was a quick browse through some of
the over 300 reviews of the K2 posted on eHam.net:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/117
The enjoyment and pride of building really shines through. This is
why Eric and I started the company in 1998, and it’s why we still
offer the K2 only as a full kit. (Yes, you’ll need a good soldering
iron. Our tech support team will be happy to recommend one if you’re
shopping around.)
Many customers have teamed up with their kids or grandkids on the
build. In my book, this beats letting them binge-watch Netflix all
weekend. Even if your co-builders aren’t hams (yet), they’ll have
great fun helping you identify and install parts.
That, in fact, is pretty easy. One of the best things about the K2 is
the assembly manual:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740001_K2%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20Rev%20I.pdf
The manual is written in tutorial style, including finer points like
the resistor color code, photos of all parts and modules, and
detailed signal tracing/troubleshooting instructions. The manual has
been refined to the point that it’s virtually foolproof. Of course if
you have any difficulties, you can always ask a question on the
Elecraft reflector, day or night, or check in with customer support.
For those of you who are just now thinking about tackling the K2,
we’ve decided to sweeten the deal a little. Consider it an early
Valentine’s gift. You can find our K2 specials near the top of this
page:
http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm
I’ll leave you with this photo of two early production K2s. It was
taken in 1999 from inside a VW van I used to own (the radio is
reliable, the van wasn’t). S/N 00002, in the foreground, was being
operated by Eric, WA6HHQ, except that he’s also the photographer. In
the background is yours truly, complete with a Field-Day’s worth of
facial hair and tie-dyed T-shirt, operating S/N 00001.
http://www.elecraft.com/wayne_m.jpg
73, Wayne N6KR
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Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[email protected]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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