First of all, there was substantial interest in the K2 sitting alongside the K3 at SeaPac in Oregon June 2 and 3. It's a great rig and, as several people pointed out, one is assembled at lower cost from individual parts.
Elecraft just did a major update of the K2 Owner's Manual to be sure everything was current and complete for those who will continue to buy K2's for a long time to come. I'd consider the analog or DSP audio filters entirely optional. I find the basic I.F. filters in the K2 more than adequate for virtually any situation. Sure, the denoiser is handy under tough signal conditions and the extra selectivity is handy from time to time, especially if one needs the signal to stand out alone from the QRM to copy it, but it's a significant cost for something that isn't needed most of the time. Was it the ARRL who "recommended" the Yaesu, Icom or Kenwood rigs? How dare they leave Elecraft off of that list? If so, it's time to sharpen my rhetoric (don't use a pencil much any more) and shoot off a letter (er... Email) to Newington! Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- As I think I have mentioned before, I am setting up a science and technology center in our school, Granite Bay Montessori School. (http://www.gbmontessori.com) We have received a grant from the ARRL to help populate the center with equipment including an amateur station. We have been asked for a list of what we would like and I have decided to go against the flow and request a K2 kit. (They were recommending we choose either a Yaesu FT-897, an Icom IC-706mkIIg, or a Kenwood TS-570SG.) My plan is to have the all the kids work on the kit so that they have the feeling of both participation and accomplishment. I also plan to use the assembly and testing procedures to help cement what they are learning about electricity. The radios mentioned above all fall into the sub $1000 range so that is a calibration point for what I think we can get away with spending. So my question here is, if you were going to outfit a K2 and try to keep the price "reasonable" what would you get and what might you leave behind. As I see it, the absolute must-have items are: 1. the K2 itself (duh); 2. the SSB module. After that it becomes a bit fuzzy. For instance, I would like opinions as to the need for the KPA-100. Note that if I don't opt for the KPA-100 I *will* get the KIO-2. Since I expect to be using this rig mostly in in the classroom with a matched antenna (I am leaning toward the GAP Titan DX as I have one and like it), I probably would not opt for the KAT-2. What about the DSP module? The kids are learning the code and I hope/expect that there will be a fair amount of CW operation. (The kids actually think that learning the code will be a cool thing in and of itself. I am using the Code Quick system with them.) I also expect some SSB and digital (AFSK, PSK31, MFSK, SSTV, etc.) operation. Anyway, I solicit the input from the folks on this list. You have a lot of experience with the product and can help me make the right decisions. Thanks! 73 de Brian, WB6RQN Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com _______________________________________________ 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
