Blasphemy maybe but looking for an honest assessment of the K2 vs. Icom 7300 ...

[Randy Heise]

So, background! I have just returned to the air after an 18 year hiatus
other than keeping my license up to date. What lured me back was retirement
and FT-8. For the past several days I have been operating with my Rev. A K2
(all options) built in 2001, a SignaLink USB interface, WSJT-X, MacLoggerDX
and JT-Bridge. Because I am "antenna challenged³ due to the HOA it has
become obvious that except in perfect conditions I could use a little more
horsepower. I¹m faced with a $1,170 bill to do the Rev. A/B mods, build the
Kat-100 and KPA-100 � or � $1,215 for an Icom 7300 and an LDG IT100 external
tuner. I¹d really appreciate thoughts from anyone who is knowledgeable on
both rigs. The Icom gives me a waterfall display and 6 meters � WSJT-X gives
my K2 a waterfall display. It¹s a toss up in price but I can¹t help
wondering about the 20 year difference in technology.

Thanks, Randy - NB7E



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[John Simmons]

Randy,

You pose an interesting question. The 7300 has been *extremely* popular
for the amount of features it delivers for the price. If you go that
route you can sell the Signalink. However I'm not sure you would see
much difference in receiver performance.

Another thought is a used K3 with a built-in tuner. There are a lot of
them on the market now that the K4 is almost being delivered.

If FT8 is your only interest I'd suggest the 7300.

-de John NI0K

Randy Heise wrote on 10/8/2019 10:58 PM:

> So, background! I have just returned to the air after an 18 year hiatus
> other than keeping my license up to date. What lured me back was retirement
> and FT-8. For the past several days I have been operating with my Rev. A K2
> (all options) built in 2001, a SignaLink USB interface, WSJT-X, MacLoggerDX
> and JT-Bridge. Because I am "antenna challenged³ due to the HOA it has
> become obvious that except in perfect conditions I could use a little more
> horsepower. I¹m faced with a $1,170 bill to do the Rev. A/B mods, build the
> Kat-100 and KPA-100 � or � $1,215 for an Icom 7300 and an LDG IT100 external
> tuner. I¹d really appreciate thoughts from anyone who is knowledgeable on
> both rigs. The Icom gives me a waterfall display and 6 meters � WSJT-X gives
> my K2 a waterfall display. It¹s a toss up in price but I can¹t help
> wondering about the 20 year difference in technology.
>
> Thanks, Randy - NB7E
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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[Lyn WØLEN]

Randy -

My situation is not dissimilar to yours, as I was licensed in the '60s,
inactive for an extended period, and became fully active again just a couple
years ago.  At that time, the IC-7300 seemed like the ideal rig for me, and
I have not been disappointed.  In fact, I now own two of them.  Interfacing
with a PC is as seamless as you can get, and requires only a proper USB
cable and installation of the correct driver for it.  I operate in all
digital modes as well as conventional analog modes.  The 7300's menu system
allows fine tuning of all the relevant options, and the settings can be
saved to an SD card for immediate retrieval ... which makes mode changing
very fast.

I was also "HOA challenged" until I was elected to the HOA board and managed
to get the rules changed.  I operated for nearly two years on a modified
G5RV Jr in an inverted V configuration in the attic.  I used the Icom AH-4
tuner connected to the 450 ohm feedline in the attic and the results were
nothing short of fantastic, considering all the handicaps.  I literally had
no problem matching any frequency from 160 thru 6 meters (a subsequent MARS
modification to the 7300 also gave me very narrow 630m coverage).

If you are planning any kind of balanced or unbalanced wire antenna, as long
as it is at least 24 feet long, I would highly recommend the same.  While I
have no firsthand experience with LDG tuners, I have spoken with several
users who have had bad experiences with the IT-100.

I also used my AH-4 with a 360 foot EDZ for a period of months with even
better results, but changed to the KAT500 this Summer in order to
accommodate more power (KPA500).  While the KAT500 is great for what it
does, I really miss the performance the AH-4 offered at low power.

Incidentally, the KPA/KAT500 combination also works seamlessly with the
7300.  It's the best of both worlds, and kudos to the Elecraft engineers for
making a fine product that "plays well" with non-Elecraft products.

73
Lyn, WØLEN


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Randy Heise
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2019 10:59 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Blasphemy maybe but looking for an honest assessment of
the K2 vs. Icom 7300 ...

So, background! I have just returned to the air after an 18 year hiatus
other than keeping my license up to date. What lured me back was retirement
and FT-8. For the past several days I have been operating with my Rev. A K2
(all options) built in 2001, a SignaLink USB interface, WSJT-X, MacLoggerDX
and JT-Bridge. Because I am "antenna challenged³ due to the HOA it has
become obvious that except in perfect conditions I could use a little more
horsepower. I¹m faced with a $1,170 bill to do the Rev. A/B mods, build the
Kat-100 and KPA-100 ?or ?$1,215 for an Icom 7300 and an LDG IT100 external
tuner. I¹d really appreciate thoughts from anyone who is knowledgeable on
both rigs. The Icom gives me a waterfall display and 6 meters ?WSJT-X gives
my K2 a waterfall display. It¹s a toss up in price but I can¹t help
wondering about the 20 year difference in technology.

Thanks, Randy - NB7E



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[Jim KO5V]

Randy,

I have just added a Clifton Labs Z100000 buffer amp to tap the IF on the K2. I intend to feed to an RSP1 so I can have a panandapter. This buffer amp is something that I've had for years. Jack Clifford passed away several years ago, so I believe it is now available through DX engineering. So, you could have a band scope, but you wouldn't be able to QSY by touching the signal on the screen, like the 7300 (and other new radios) can.

If you could live with 50W, the Tokyo Hi-Power HL45B (or HL-50B), and the Hardrock 50 amps come up for sale used on QRZ.com quite often, sometimes in the $250-$400 range. One of those, and a used LDG antenna tuner for ~$125.00 might be a cheaper way to use the K2. However, a 7300 would certainly be an easier, turn-key solution.

I love my K2/100, and it gives me a lot of pleasure operating it, and knowing that I built it.

BTW, I have a spare, unused E850138 "Temp Compensated PLL Reference Upgrade" kit. If you decide to upgrade the K2, I'll send it to you for $15.00.

Good luck. 73, Jim KO5V
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[Don Wilhelm]

Randy,

Since you will be using the K2 with the KPA100, you need to strongly
consider adding to the list of upgrade mods shown on the K2 A to B
instruction sheet the K2 Keying Waveshape mod.  It is important to keep
the keyclicks down.  They are not obvious with the 10 watt K2, but rear
their ugly heads when the KPA100 is in-line.

Elecraft no longer supplies the kit of parts, because the PIN diode
specified is no longer available.  However, there is a "fix for that"
and it is included with each and every new K2 kit.

I will be sending you the original Keying Waveshape Mod instructions by
private email, along with the Elecraft part to replace the PIN diode
specified.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/13/2019 2:29 AM, Randy Heise wrote:
> Thanks to all for your well considered replies, both on and off line. I had pretty much decided to do the Rev A/B mod to my K2 and keep it for QRP and the 5th Wheel and purchase the 7300 for the base station.
>
> Then, one of our members offered a KPA-100/KAT-100 in an EC-2 enclosure at a very reasonable price. After much consideration, I’ve decided to upgrade the K2 and purchase the EC-2 unit. Just seems to work best for my situation and chosen modes.
>
> Thanks once again to all for being a great sounding board!
>
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