Elecraft K2/100 pre-purchase questions
 

I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

ps wrote:

I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

Why not direct your questions to the Elecraft reflector?

W4OP

ps wrote:

I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

Why not direct your questions to the Elecraft reflector?

W4OP

The K2 doesn't drift, usually.

As for the SSB, I have only used a K2 in CW mode.

There is a Elecraft reflector available from the website at www.elecraft.com
but keep in mind, the folks there are usually very happy elecraft customers.

I personally do not have a K2, but I have a 4 band K1 that I use almost
daily with no issues at all. The QRP group I belong to usually has two or
three K2s on the air during Field Day and they work very very well.

I know they have sold thousands of the K2 rigs and I really haven't heard
much in the grumbling department about their function. Pretty solid rig.

73

"ps" wrote in message
...
I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your
experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

The K2 doesn't drift, usually.

As for the SSB, I have only used a K2 in CW mode.

There is a Elecraft reflector available from the website at www.elecraft.com
but keep in mind, the folks there are usually very happy elecraft customers.

I personally do not have a K2, but I have a 4 band K1 that I use almost
daily with no issues at all. The QRP group I belong to usually has two or
three K2s on the air during Field Day and they work very very well.

I know they have sold thousands of the K2 rigs and I really haven't heard
much in the grumbling department about their function. Pretty solid rig.

73

"ps" wrote in message
...
I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your
experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

I just acquired a K2 built by someone else and have begun evaluating it for
my station. Having built and used many Heathkits over the years, I can say
that there's no comparison between the K2 and Heathkits. I've noticed no
drift whatsoever. The SSB option works perfectly, but I've not yet gotten
into the speech processor option, so can't comment there. The flexibility
and performance of the variable crystal filter is quite remarkable on all
modes, and gives you the equivalent of a few hundred dollars worth of
filters in the traditional HF rig. The K2 is definitely not a kit project
for the beginner. For an experienced ham however, it's a rig that you'll
likely NEVER have to ship off for alignment and/or repairs because of the
very serviceable design and the support available from the manufacturer and
the Elecraft reflector.

K8AC


"ps" wrote in message
...
I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your
experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

I just acquired a K2 built by someone else and have begun evaluating it for
my station. Having built and used many Heathkits over the years, I can say
that there's no comparison between the K2 and Heathkits. I've noticed no
drift whatsoever. The SSB option works perfectly, but I've not yet gotten
into the speech processor option, so can't comment there. The flexibility
and performance of the variable crystal filter is quite remarkable on all
modes, and gives you the equivalent of a few hundred dollars worth of
filters in the traditional HF rig. The K2 is definitely not a kit project
for the beginner. For an experienced ham however, it's a rig that you'll
likely NEVER have to ship off for alignment and/or repairs because of the
very serviceable design and the support available from the manufacturer and
the Elecraft reflector.

K8AC


"ps" wrote in message
...
I've just started to shop for my first transceiver and Elecraft K2/100
looks very good. My first radio was a heathkit sw built in the early
60's, and I have good electronics assembly skills/tools -- so building
not a problem.

Questions:

1. I can't find much info on frequency drift. How is it in your
experience?

2. how well does the ssb option work? If its not a full speech
processor, is this an issue?

You can't do better than the K2/100 for the price. Even at 5X the price, the
dynamic range and overall performance can't be beat! The SSB option is
transparent to its presence. I also have the TenTec Omni VI and the K2
outperforms it hands down! In addition, the TenTec Omni VI if full of digital
birdies on 20 - 10-meters. Virtually NONE on the K2. Just do it! You won't
regret the decision. Lack of a processor is nothing to be concerned about.
The effect of a processor is usually overated, anyhow. Good radio!

Dave - W0LEV

You can't do better than the K2/100 for the price. Even at 5X the price, the
dynamic range and overall performance can't be beat! The SSB option is
transparent to its presence. I also have the TenTec Omni VI and the K2
outperforms it hands down! In addition, the TenTec Omni VI if full of digital
birdies on 20 - 10-meters. Virtually NONE on the K2. Just do it! You won't
regret the decision. Lack of a processor is nothing to be concerned about.
The effect of a processor is usually overated, anyhow. Good radio!

Dave - W0LEV