Slowly, ever so slowly over the years, I shifted from QRP CW, mostly with the K2, to 100w SSB, with the K3 and a couple of other rigs, operating only on a couple of SSB nets. And then I read Wayne's post. And the responses. And looked at the K2 on the desk, connected but unused, gathering dust. So last night I fired it up, in these poor propagation days, and running CW on 40m at just under 5w on the meter into an inverted V, snagged AE4YP in FL, K3Y/1 in NH, and shortly after, K3Y/0 in CO. This morning I heard K3Y/9 - very weak - but he did not copy me, and I refused to turn up the power.
Thanks, Wayne. Alan V31FA (Belize) On Sat, Jan 27, 2018 at 8:19 PM, Neil Zampella <ne...@techie.com> wrote: > Wayne, > > I've been trying to convince SWMBO that I need something to keep me busy > now that I'm semi-retired, I almost have her convinced that my building a > K2 would do it, but I noticed that the pricing lasts until Jan 31st. Are > you thinking about a Valentine's Day sale too ??? > > 73 > > Neil Zampella, KN3ILZ > Happy KX3/KXPA100/PX3 owner > > > On 1/26/2018 6:16 PM, 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%20Manu >> al%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 >> >> >> >> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to aslusher...@gmail.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
