[Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I could live with. Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. Brian VE3HI __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
Regardless of specs, there is one fellow when asked about the best radio will always answer "it is the one you enjoy using". 73 Bob, K4TAX Message: 7 Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:44:23 -0400 (EDT) From: brianpepperdine brianpepperdine To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs Message-ID:<50dd47e2.3064.181fe7498b7.webtop...@sympatico.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I could live with. Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. Brian VE3HI __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
Couldn't agree more. Due to a change in living arrangements I am down to a KX3/100 and a K2/100. From a technical and portability point of view the KX3 has the edge. But the K2 just sounds more like, and its innards (which I assembled) just look more like, what a radio was when I became captivated by ham radio more than 60 years ago. A friend (KB0YH) has my K2 out for sea trials after its having sat unused for quite a while. When he signs off on it I'll be hard pressed to decide. The K2's 100-watt amp and tuner in the low-rise chassis are no longer available, I believe. If that's so, the combo is probably fairly valuable. But so is nostalgia, which generally improves with age. Ted, KN1CBR Message: 1 Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:19:27 -0500 From: Bob McGraw To: Elecraft Mailing List Subject: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Regardless of specs, there is one fellow when asked about the best radio will always answer "it is the one you enjoy using". 73 Bob, K4TAX Message: 7 Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2022 16:44:23 -0400 (EDT) From: brianpepperdine brianpepperdine To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs Message-ID:<50dd47e2.3064.181fe7498b7.webtop...@sympatico.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I could live with. Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. Brian VE3HI -- __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
Brian, depends on your use case - sensitivity is not the only spec you need (in fact it could be an overkill to have -130 dBm). K3 with a better synthesizer(you can upgrade K3 to have it) performs way better with reciprocal mixing dynamic range - something which people want for contesting. It is something which will limit you being able to hear stations on the air in a contest environment. I don't see an easy way for K2 to get this synthesizer which you can have for K3. Maybe you can trade K2 for KX3 if you want better performance and being portable. -- km6us On Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 1:46 PM brianpepperdine brianpepperdine < brianpepperd...@sympatico.ca> wrote: > > > I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and > K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat > surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp > on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). > I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I > havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether > to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside > from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter > etc) > then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer > I could live with. > Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. > > Brian VE3HI > __ > 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 kk6...@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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
On 7/14/2022 1:44 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). There are, indeed, a myriad of differences, and the K3 is a vastly superior radio. A very wise engineer whose day gig was communications for space launches at JPL was also deeply involved in pro audio. He was also a great technical writer. One piece of his wisdom was that describing a piece of audio using only its frequency response was like trying to write poetry with only one word in your vocabulary. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
Complex, multivariate problem Brian, sensitivity being only one variable, and some of the variables are very subjective. I love my K2 and use it QRP, usually in the summer, for field activities. It is not a great multi-station FD rig and has nowhere near the capabilities of a K3 in such an environment where dynamic blocking range can make or break a radio. I'll bet money that you are the only human being on the planet who can answer your broad question. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2022 1:44 PM: I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I could live with. Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. Brian VE3HI -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
Brian... The K2 is somewhat of a spiritual event. There are many - me included - who are very attached to their K2's, not because the specs are amazing - many modern radios perform better - but because we built them, got familiar with them, used them in memorable situations, and became fondly attached. Those who fall into this category would never sell their K2's. All that said, the K2 does a good job at what it was designed to do: a good, analog, CW, QRP, portable radio that one could assemble/build all on their own with fun being a key feature. It's not a K3 by a long shot, but it does tend to bring out a smile every time it lights up. Do what's best for you. ...robert KE2WY On 7/14/2022 20:44, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I could live with. Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. Brian VE3HI __ 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 rc...@verizon.net -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
> the K3 is a vastly superior radio Brian - if you had nickel for every time someone declared one rig is better than another without knowing your needs or offering reasons to back it up, you could buy both ;) As many will say, don't over think sensitivity. You'll probably find many other features that greatly differentiate the K2 vs K3. I've owned both (currently just the K2) so if you have questions feel free to email me. 73, -Andrew NV1B .. On Thu, Jul 14, 2022 at 5:54 PM Jim Brown wrote: > On 7/14/2022 1:44 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote: > > I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, but > > today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised > > that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for > > K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). > > There are, indeed, a myriad of differences, and the K3 is a vastly > superior radio. A very wise engineer whose day gig was communications > for space launches at JPL was also deeply involved in pro audio. He was > also a great technical writer. One piece of his wisdom was that > describing a piece of audio using only its frequency response was like > trying to write poetry with only one word in your vocabulary. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > __ > 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 andrew.n...@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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
__ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
I really enjoy my K2/100. I use it weekly for CWT’s, MST’s & SST’s with N1MM+. I usually operate the tests barefoot but sometimes run a KPA1500 with the K2. The shift/width controls are not as versatile as my K3S but I don’t need em for the 1 hr CW tests. Computer control of the K2 and K3s is essentially the same. I built the K2/100 myself and, as Wayne said, there is some additional fulfillment when using a radio that you assembled yourself. 73//k5mm/ron Sent from my iPad > On Jul 14, 2022, at 5:30 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > > Complex, multivariate problem Brian, sensitivity being only one variable, > and some of the variables are very subjective. I love my K2 and use it QRP, > usually in the summer, for field activities. It is not a great multi-station > FD rig and has nowhere near the capabilities of a K3 in such an environment > where dynamic blocking range can make or break a radio. I'll bet money that > you are the only human being on the planet who can answer your broad question. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote on 7/14/2022 1:44 PM: >> >> >> I realize there are a myriad of differences between the K2 and K3, >> but today I read the specs in each owners manual and was somewhat surprised >> that the each is listed at about -135 dBm sensitivity (pre-amp on for >> K2...pre-amp off at - 130 dBm for K2). >> I was curious since I was going thru those tests on the K2/KAT100 set I >> havein anticipation of any hamfest that might come around...whether to >> retain or not. If this is basically what this rig does (K2) aside from what >> more my K3 offers in other ways (variable bandwidth filter etc) >> then the K2 seems to be something to hold onto, pending a decent offer I >> could live with. >> Anyhow, I am just spit-balling and throwing this out there, FWIW. >> >> Brian VE3HI > > > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > https://www.avg.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 r...@k5mm.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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 versus K3 specs
> The K2 is somewhat of a spiritual event. There are many > who are very attached to their K2's... because we built them, > got familiar with them, used them in memorable situations, > and became fondly attached. So true, Robert! My K2 got soaked in a giant rainstorm in Virginia a few Field Days ago in one of those fine, fulminating downpours-at-midnight with lightning and general spookiness. We had to run for our lives into the truck and forgot all about the poor rig sitting stoically on the picnic table. In the morning, the damage was assessed: transistors standing in pools; resistors barely keeping their chins above water. And no power-up. We tried everything to dry it out. Leaving it in the sun on the dash of the truck. Q-Tips. But as FD approached it was clear that it wasn't going to dry in time. My sons and I were way bummed out and I felt very stupid. So how's this for good luck: it so happened that another ham was in the same campground, noticed us, and *brought over his wife's blow dryer* to help us out. We got the K2 on the air just in time, but when I went to invite that ham to operate with us later on, he'd already left. I'll never forget what he did for us. I'll bet that's the closest anyone on this reflector has come to killing his K2... but K2's evidently Die Hard. This year the K2 again showed no ill effects from its near-drowning and performed flawlessly and continues to amaze me. It's simple enough to operate and no simpler, making understanding and using it within the reach of even my youngest son. We and our K2 have been through far too much together to part ways. K2 forever, baby. Al W6LX/4 __ 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
