May be I would like to add another point for the setting up of XV50+K2. It is NOT quite necessary to get the KIO2 and KV60 transverter interface to work K2 + XV50. XV50 is so well designed that it can work with a wide variety of combinations. To be marketable product, the entire XV series can work with variety of rigs and set-up combination.
K2 can TX at a stable low power of about 1 watt (actually well lower than that in my own experience). All you need is a simple Keying Kit from N0SS to PTT the transverter. Of course, if you really need to go for 60m or computer control, then you will need the KIO2 or KV60. Otherwise, you can save some $ for your K2 + XV50 set up. AsI mentioned in the past in this email reflector, when you add up all the preferred options for either K2 or K3, the overall bill could be quite handsome. Clearly, you are given the full liberty to make your own choices of options and reduce your bill accordingly. FT817, is really another kind of animal. It is handy, multifunction and entertaining. Of course, it is much cheaper - only about US$570 in Hong Kong for a MF to UHF multiband all mode rig. When the band is dead, you even listen to FM broadcast for amusement. While I use K2 for HF field day, I would prefer using FT817 for ARES or local community social services. Just my 2 cents opinion. 73 Johnny Siu VR2XMC ________________________________ 寄件人﹕ James Duffey <jamesduf...@comcast.net> 收件人 elecraft@mailman.qth.net 副本(CC) James Duffey <jamesduf...@comcast.net> 傳送日期﹕ 2009 年 9月 12 日 星期六 上午 9:47:58 主題： Re: [Elecraft] [K2] XV50 vs FT817? Peter - The XV-50 and a K2 is not really a cost effective way of getting on VHF. Besides the KIO2, you will also need either the K60XV or the K160RX. And if you want SSB, you will need the KSB2. If you already have the K2, the cost may be reasonable given the good performance achieved, but if you are starting from scratch, the cost of a K2, the options required for transverter operation, and the XV50 are pretty close to a 10 Watt K3, and the K3 has a lot better performance. The K2 does offer a very nice transverter interface, but going that way is fairly expensive. The FT-817 is a different beast. The receiver performance under crowded band conditions is not great and you really need to add the narrow CW filter to bring it up to snuff on CW receive. That said, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the 817, and if you want to contest at VHF, two meters is almost essential. You will find that everyone you work in a VHF contest will ask you if you have any other bands. You will with the FT-817, you won't with the K2/XV50. In the June contest, with Es, you can get by with 6M only, but the rest of the year you will probably be better off with 2M as the main band. As to QRP at VHF, there is more to be said on that, which I will in another post. - De. Megacycle KK6MC/5 -- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM ______________________________________________________________ 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 Yahoo!香港提供網上安全攻略，教你如何防範黑客! 請前往 http://hk.promo.yahoo.com/security/ 了解更多! ______________________________________________________________ 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
