Re: [Elecraft] K2 #06602 under construction
Hi Marinus, I left the tape that was already covering the holes when I received the kit. In fact, I believe they suggest that you do that in the manual. I only cut out the hole that I needed to use. I also installed the mike connector on the front since I think it would look awful even if I didn't plan to use it. To me, it's like buying a car without head lights:-) As far as CW is concerned, who knows? I work mostly CW and have noticed that I seem to work the same people over and over again. One of the reasons I have put off buying a new rig is because, I'm wondering about the future of ham radio myself. I'm not interested in the digital modes even though I have the SSB board installed in my K2. Gary, N7HTS On Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:50:10 + Marinus Loewensteijn [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: K2 lovers, please your input. There is a rather high chance that I will loose my vision due to health issues that sofar have proven to be irreversible. I am attempting to make the best use of the time while I am still able. Am a CW addict and do not care about SSB. Had a good look around and could not find a reasonable priced CW transceiver with QSK. (I just sold my TenTec Omni 546C which I had intended to keep going for the next 30 years but it needs maintenance and drive adjustments which made it not a good future proof solution. Tentec's new rigs are out of my price range.) Would have ordered the K1 if it was not for local requirements dictating a strong front end. The string front end requirements resulted in the basic K2 with noise blanker kit being purchased. (the proven performance / reliability and the ability to do local repair also played a large part in the decision. ) There is no intention going to QRO level (due to health considerations). This setup will suit me FB for the immediate future. However I have some questions and like to invite your thoughts. 1) In light of the fact that technology never rests makes me wonder about the future of CW. Do I need to invest in the SSB module so that I am able to switch to digital modes should this be required or do you all expect CW to be around for a long time to come? 2) For those under you who are perfectionists: what do you do with all those holes in the back that are not used or the labels above / below the buttons that have no meaningfull function behind them (e.g. the ANT 1/2 , ALC, VOX ) If using this as a pure CW rig and no meainingfull use for the microphone connector, do you still have it there (just for show?) or did you do something else with it? Do you fill up the holes with JBweld and then use the touchup paint to mask them and paint over the unused labels? Many thanks in advance, 73, Marinus, ZL2ML _ Connect to the next generation of MSN Messenger http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-ussource=wlmailtagline ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] K2 #06602 under construction
Sorry to hear of your vision issues Marinus. CW - I believe CW will be around for a long time to come. We don't do CW because it is the best way to get a message through but because it is the most fun way to get a message through. If ham radio becomes SSB and Digital only, I'll QRT. The SSB module for the K2 is a low cost add-on and makes the rig more pleasant to listen to when you're copying WWVH. For the CW op, it gives no benefit at all. I wouldn't bother with it unless you think you want it or want to make sure you get one now while you can. My K2 was a basic unit. The extra holes in the back were covered with tape on the inside from the factory and I left them that way. I did not bother to paint over the unused labels. I've always had rigs with some missing options so having buttons or knobs that do nothing is normal for me. The K2 is a wonderful CW rig, 2nd only to the K3 IMHO. 73! - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - There is a rather high chance that I will loose my vision due to health issues that sofar have proven to be irreversible. I am attempting to make the best use of the time while I am still able. Am a CW addict and do not care about SSB. Had a good look around and could not find a reasonable priced CW transceiver with QSK. (I just sold my TenTec Omni 546C which I had intended to keep going for the next 30 years but it needs maintenance and drive adjustments which made it not a good future proof solution. Tentec's new rigs are out of my price range.) 1) In light of the fact that technology never rests makes me wonder about the future of CW. Do I need to invest in the SSB module so that I am able to switch to digital modes should this be required or do you all expect CW to be around for a long time to come? 2) For those under you who are perfectionists: what do you do with all those holes in the back that are not used or the labels above / below the buttons that have no meaningfull function behind them (e.g. the ANT 1/2 , ALC, VOX ) If using this as a pure CW rig and no meainingfull use for the microphone connector, do you still have it there (just for show?) or did you do something else with it? Do you fill up the holes with JBweld and then = use the touchup paint to mask them and paint over the unused labels? ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 #06602 under construction
I share your enthusiasm for CW. I do like PSK31 very much, though. I also have some friends who have no desire for CW. For them, I plan on (shudder!) picking up a microphone. For that reason, I just installed the SSB board. Knowing my plans to do this when originally building the K2, I installed the MIC jack. I believe CW will be around for a long time. The subbands might shrink a little more here and there, but I doubt they'll ever go away altogether. As for the empty holes in the back, I just leave them empty. In the future, I may fill them with connectors. For now the rear faces the wall and it doesn't seem to care any more than I that they're empty. The effort required to fill them far exceeds my time available, which is best spent (IMHO) building other options I feel are beneficial inside the radio. The K2 is my main radio and has replaced every other HF radio I've ever owned. They just didn't compare to the performance of the K2. Although I prefer CW QRP, I may actually spring for the 100W PA someday. Having the option of QRO just seems like a good idea in the long run. It will be my last option, if I decide to actual go that route. There are far more important options for me to consider prior to QRO capability. ___ 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
[Elecraft] K2 #06602 under construction
K2 lovers, please your input. There is a rather high chance that I will loose my vision due to health issues that sofar have proven to be irreversible. I am attempting to make the best use of the time while I am still able. Am a CW addict and do not care about SSB. Had a good look around and could not find a reasonable priced CW transceiver with QSK. (I just sold my TenTec Omni 546C which I had intended to keep going for the next 30 years but it needs maintenance and drive adjustments which made it not a good future proof solution. Tentec's new rigs are out of my price range.) Would have ordered the K1 if it was not for local requirements dictating a strong front end. The string front end requirements resulted in the basic K2 with noise blanker kit being purchased. (the proven performance / reliability and the ability to do local repair also played a large part in the decision. ) There is no intention going to QRO level (due to health considerations). This setup will suit me FB for the immediate future. However I have some questions and like to invite your thoughts. 1) In light of the fact that technology never rests makes me wonder about the future of CW. Do I need to invest in the SSB module so that I am able to switch to digital modes should this be required or do you all expect CW to be around for a long time to come? 2) For those under you who are perfectionists: what do you do with all those holes in the back that are not used or the labels above / below the buttons that have no meaningfull function behind them (e.g. the ANT 1/2 , ALC, VOX ) If using this as a pure CW rig and no meainingfull use for the microphone connector, do you still have it there (just for show?) or did you do something else with it? Do you fill up the holes with JBweld and then use the touchup paint to mask them and paint over the unused labels? Many thanks in advance, 73, Marinus, ZL2ML _ Connect to the next generation of MSN Messenger http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-ussource=wlmailtagline___ 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
