Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[George Winship, NC5G]

I received my K2 as a 50th birthday present 15 years ago. It came with the NB
and SSB modules. What a surprise and what fun it was to build. I later did
all the mods and added the audio filter, 160 meter module, KPA100, and
KAT100. It is still the main radio here and gives me a thrill every time I
turn it on.

73, 

George NC5G



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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[F5vjc]

Built a K2, built a KX3. Sold KX3 kept K2 :)

73 F5VJC

On 5 September 2016 at 19:34, Ken G Kopp  wrote:

> If I had to choose between my K2 (#5665) and my KX3, I'd take the K2 in a
> heartbeat.  (:-))
>
> 73
>
> K0PP
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Jim Rogers]

I bought my first K2 in 2005, I believe it was, anyway shortly after 
getting back on the air in 2004. I sold it to someone going on a 
DXpedition and missed it so bad, I saw a really pristine one with an 
early serial number on
the web, so I bought it. Had fun straightening out the SSB module (I am 
sure that is why it was sold), and  bringing it up to date with all the 
mods. It is still on the standby shelf just above the K-Line and it will 
be here as long as I can stay on the radio. The K2 receiver in my 
opinion was and still is one of the best.


Jim W4ATK


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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Ken G Kopp]

If I had to choose between my K2 (#5665) and my KX3, I'd take the K2 in a
heartbeat.  (:-))

73

K0PP
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[w7aqk]

I've had two K2's.  The first one was one of the "original 100" K2's which 
were field test units.  After several years I sold that to a ham locally who 
wanted a good QRP rig, but in the meantime I had picked up my 2nd K2, so 
I've been K2 equipped since the beginning.


For years the K2 was my "go to" field radio.  For a good while it was my 
main station radio.  Both of mine were QRP versions, so it wasn't until I 
got a K3 that I had a 100 watt Elecraft radio.  I greatly value the 
experience I had building my K2, and even today, the K2 is a darned good 
radio!  No, it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles you may want, but 
it is most definitely a very competent radio!


I thought I might sell my K2 when the KX3 came out, but it didn't happen. 
The K2 is just too good, and makes a perfect backup radio.  Besides, it is 
still great fun to pull it down and just use it for awhile.


I always put the K2 at the head of my list when I talk to someone looking 
for " a real ham radio experience"!  You get a superb building opportunity, 
and you end up with a radio that will do just about anything you want.  It 
is not a compromise.


Just another example of Wayne's design expertise!

Dave W7AQK


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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[F5vjc]

Same here, I built my K2 in May 2000.
 What a joy, including winding all those toroids, I will never part with it.
 Although I now have the K- Line it always amazes me when I listen to the
K2, it's just so quiet with such sweet audio.

73, F5VJC

On 4 September 2016 at 05:56, Robert G Strickland  wrote:

> I've had my K2 for 10+ years and use it for Field Days, trips up the hill
> to visit the kids, and any other portable events. It is always up to the
> task in every respect. I wouldn't think of selling it. The K3 line is
> wonderful, and I'm fortunate to be housing the three of them. But, the K2
> remains the patriarch of the bunch.
> ...robert
>
> On 09/03/2016 01:44, David Inger wrote:
>
>> I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except
>> at
>> occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
>> June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
>> Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.
>>
>> Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more
>> filters
>> and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is back in line plugged into my
>> KPA-500 and KAT500 tuner.
>>
>> What a great little radio the K2 is!  Sounds great, adequate filtering,
>> and
>> drives the KPA500 to full power with about 20-watts from the K2.  I know
>> there have been tons of technical improvements found in radios such as the
>> K3 series and the KX3 (not to mention some other brands), but it is
>> amazing
>> how competent the K2 is.  There is no way it can be considered obsolete.
>>  I
>> think it going to stay in my shack for a lot longer!
>>
>> 73 de K6SBA
>> David in Santa Barbara, CA
>>
>
>
> --
> Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
> rc...@verizon.net.usa
> Syracuse, New York, USA
>
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Robert G Strickland]

I've had my K2 for 10+ years and use it for Field Days, trips up the 
hill to visit the kids, and any other portable events. It is always up 
to the task in every respect. I wouldn't think of selling it. The K3 
line is wonderful, and I'm fortunate to be housing the three of them. 
But, the K2 remains the patriarch of the bunch.

...robert

On 09/03/2016 01:44, David Inger wrote:

I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except at
occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.

Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more filters
and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is back in line plugged into my
KPA-500 and KAT500 tuner.

What a great little radio the K2 is!  Sounds great, adequate filtering, and
drives the KPA500 to full power with about 20-watts from the K2.  I know
there have been tons of technical improvements found in radios such as the
K3 series and the KX3 (not to mention some other brands), but it is amazing
how competent the K2 is.  There is no way it can be considered obsolete.   I
think it going to stay in my shack for a lot longer!

73 de K6SBA
David in Santa Barbara, CA



--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rc...@verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Chuck Teague via Elecraft]

I have to join the chorus prising the K2.  I've had mine about nine years and
couldn't bear to part with it even though it has been replaced as the main
station by the K line.  I decide it needed a job so put it on JT65 where it
just trucks along.  I have W3FPR's fixed audio output in it as well as the
rtty filters and it just does a fine job.

Chuck NN7U



-
Chuck Teague
NN7U
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Cameron Francey]

I'm in the middle of building my K2, and just last week I got to the Phase 2 
testing stage, and wow!  I'm really impressed.

I done an A/B comparison between my Ten Tec Omni 7 which I thought was a quiet 
receiver until I compared it to the K2.  The noise floor on the K2 is much 
lower so its much more pleasant to listen to the K2.

You wont be disappointed with the K2 and also get a lot more satisfaction with 
every QSO on a radio that you understand how every part of it works.

My K2 should be finished and all the options added ready for the winter when I 
spend most time on the air.  My K1 has been in use since I completed it in June 
and I also love that little radio.


One point to mention, save your self some diagnosis time and follow Gary and 
Don's advice when it comes to the encoder part.  The circuit board strikes the 
control board if you follow the instructions that come with the kit.  You have 
to trim all the leads short and also put a small insulator of some sort between 
the board to prevent it making contact.


I updated my instructions as below based on this email I sent to support saying 
I ran into the issue and thought my suggestion might save others some time and 
hassle.  Thats when I heard others had already ran into the same issue.  All 
the other steps in the instructions are great and really easy to follow, quite 
simply the best I have read!  A lot of time must have went into getting them as 
good as they are, a big thumbs up to the people at Elecraft who worked on them!


Email:

I just encountered an issue while testing phase 1 of the RF board.  Managed to 
figure out what was causing it, but thought I should highlight what I found and 
possibly have the step modified for the instructions to save someone else the 
same troubleshooting time/effort.


When I got to the step on page 44 the second check box is to test the VFO knob 
in both directions.  I found my one didn't work unless I held the control board 
and the front panel board apart at the top.  The reason was the encoder board 
IC pins were coming in contact with the control board.  The board and the 
encoder were all properly seated and the soldering was neat.  There simply just 
isn't much clearance between them.  What I had to do was trim the IC pins 
really short.


My suggestion for the encoder step would be a change in the printed instruction 
sheet that is supplied with the "Elecraft K2 New Encoder Installation" print 
out.  I know it says to trim the leads, but its not normal to trim IC pins as 
well so just wanted to make that point more prominent.


Page 2 of 4 reads as below:

"Install the resistors, capacitors and PIC on the pc board as shown below.  Be 
sure to align the notched end of the PIC with the notch in the silk screen 
outline on the pc board.  Solder and trim the leads flush with the reverse side 
of the PC board"


My suggestion is below:

"Install the resistors, capacitors and PIC on the pc board as shown below.  Be 
sure to align the notched end of the PIC with the notch in the silk screen 
outline on the pc board.  Solder and trim ALL the leads including the pins on 
the PIC flush with the reverse side of the PC board"



Good luck with your build.


73, Cameron - AF7DK




From: Elecraft <elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Chip Stratton 
<lightdazz...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2016 5:52 AM
To: Phil Wheeler
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

Same thing here. I have a couple of more sophisticated and better spec'd
radios but still use my K2/100 routinely at the home QTH. I just don't seem
to encounter situations where the K2 doesn't do the job as well as I could
wish. There are some instances where the electronic crutches offered by the
other radios would make things easier, but for routine use I couldn't ask
for more.

N.B. - I'm no great contestor or DXer!

Chip
AE5KA

On Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 10:03 PM, Phil Wheeler <w...@socal.rr.com> wrote:

> I echo what you say, David. I have K2/100 #380 started in July 1999, with
> all the subsequent A-to-B updates and even some 3rd party goodies. It's
> still a very solid radio I use in my second operating position. And nice to
> know I installed everything in it (excepting part of the KDSP2 which came
> pre-installed).
>
> 73, Phil W7OX (in Torrance, CA)
>
>
> On 9/2/16 6:44 PM, David Inger wrote:
>
>> I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except
>> at
>> occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
>> June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
>> Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.
>>   Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more
>> filters
>> and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is ba

Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Chip Stratton]

Same thing here. I have a couple of more sophisticated and better spec'd
radios but still use my K2/100 routinely at the home QTH. I just don't seem
to encounter situations where the K2 doesn't do the job as well as I could
wish. There are some instances where the electronic crutches offered by the
other radios would make things easier, but for routine use I couldn't ask
for more.

N.B. - I'm no great contestor or DXer!

Chip
AE5KA

On Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 10:03 PM, Phil Wheeler  wrote:

> I echo what you say, David. I have K2/100 #380 started in July 1999, with
> all the subsequent A-to-B updates and even some 3rd party goodies. It's
> still a very solid radio I use in my second operating position. And nice to
> know I installed everything in it (excepting part of the KDSP2 which came
> pre-installed).
>
> 73, Phil W7OX (in Torrance, CA)
>
>
> On 9/2/16 6:44 PM, David Inger wrote:
>
>> I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except
>> at
>> occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
>> June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
>> Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.
>>   Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more
>> filters
>> and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is back in line plugged into my
>> KPA-500 and KAT500 tuner.
>>   What a great little radio the K2 is!  Sounds great, adequate filtering,
>> and
>> drives the KPA500 to full power with about 20-watts from the K2.  I know
>> there have been tons of technical improvements found in radios such as the
>> K3 series and the KX3 (not to mention some other brands), but it is
>> amazing
>> how competent the K2 is.  There is no way it can be considered obsolete.
>>  I
>> think it going to stay in my shack for a lot longer!
>>   73 de K6SBA
>> David in Santa Barbara, CA
>>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[Phil Wheeler]

I echo what you say, David. I have K2/100 #380 
started in July 1999, with all the subsequent 
A-to-B updates and even some 3rd party goodies. 
It's still a very solid radio I use in my second 
operating position. And nice to know I installed 
everything in it (excepting part of the KDSP2 
which came pre-installed).


73, Phil W7OX (in Torrance, CA)

On 9/2/16 6:44 PM, David Inger wrote:

I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except at
occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.
  
Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more filters

and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is back in line plugged into my
KPA-500 and KAT500 tuner.
  
What a great little radio the K2 is!  Sounds great, adequate filtering, and

drives the KPA500 to full power with about 20-watts from the K2.  I know
there have been tons of technical improvements found in radios such as the
K3 series and the KX3 (not to mention some other brands), but it is amazing
how competent the K2 is.  There is no way it can be considered obsolete.   I
think it going to stay in my shack for a lot longer!
  
73 de K6SBA

David in Santa Barbara, CA


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[Elecraft] In Praise of the K2

[David Inger]

I have a 12-13 year old K2/100 that doesn't get use much any more except at
occasional vacation rentals.  I keep thinking it's time to sell it.  In
June, I sent it to Don Wilhelm to "tweak and peak" it.  It came back from
Don with a new alignment and a clean bill of health.
 
Right now I have my K3 in pieces to do various upgrades, i.e., more filters
and several "K3s upgrades."  So the K2 is back in line plugged into my
KPA-500 and KAT500 tuner.
 
What a great little radio the K2 is!  Sounds great, adequate filtering, and
drives the KPA500 to full power with about 20-watts from the K2.  I know
there have been tons of technical improvements found in radios such as the
K3 series and the KX3 (not to mention some other brands), but it is amazing
how competent the K2 is.  There is no way it can be considered obsolete.   I
think it going to stay in my shack for a lot longer!
 
73 de K6SBA
David in Santa Barbara, CA
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