[Fwd: Re: Big K2 (or K2B - B for Big)]

[hank k8dd-2]

[hidden email] wrote:

>I think that a lot of K2 owners, particularly contesters and DXers, get
>around the small size of the K2 by using computer control. That way they have a
>small rig for portable use and a big computer display for home use. The big
>remote knob (CRS* is causing me to block on its real name) gives a nice ergonomic
>interface for tuning and RIT.
>  
>
That's not entirely true .... at least in my case.  In a contest about
the only things I use are the main
tuning knob and the AF gain.   At least when we're running.  Maybe the
RIT for the stations that don't
zero beat.
When I'm searching, it's the main tuning knob and maybe the AF gain.
The computer control keys the radio, keeps track of the frequency/band.
I try not to use any more of the buttons on the front panel than I have
to when I'm contesting.

Pretty much the same for DXing .... Set the filters the way I want them
and DSP if I need it.  Only thing
that drives me crazy is the A=B and SPLIT on the same button!

I would like to see a K2Big - maybe even take my K2/100, strip the case
and front panel and PCB's and
put it in an upgrade box!

73    Hank    K8DD



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[Hisashi T Fujinaka]

How about just a big front panel replacement? More buttons!

On Mon, 27 Dec 2004, Hank Kohl K8DD wrote:

> [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> I think that a lot of K2 owners, particularly contesters and DXers, get
>> around the small size of the K2 by using computer control. That way they
>> have a small rig for portable use and a big computer display for home use.
>> The big remote knob (CRS* is causing me to block on its real name) gives a
>> nice ergonomic interface for tuning and RIT.
>>
> That's not entirely true .... at least in my case.  In a contest about the
> only things I use are the main
> tuning knob and the AF gain.   At least when we're running.  Maybe the RIT
> for the stations that don't
> zero beat.
> When I'm searching, it's the main tuning knob and maybe the AF gain.
> The computer control keys the radio, keeps track of the frequency/band.
> I try not to use any more of the buttons on the front panel than I have to
> when I'm contesting.
>
> Pretty much the same for DXing .... Set the filters the way I want them and
> DSP if I need it.  Only thing
> that drives me crazy is the A=B and SPLIT on the same button!
>
> I would like to see a K2Big - maybe even take my K2/100, strip the case and
> front panel and PCB's and
> put it in an upgrade box!

--
Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte
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[John [N5BSD]]

 
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Since I sent the last reply to Mr. Fujinaka, we will try again.

This is the one thing I would like to see, a slightly larger front
panel with possibly a Multi-line LCD display, and dedicated buttons
for a few more of the major functions.

Or maybe a 2nd receiver option for a larger form factor radio, with
the secondary Frequency showing on a multi line display in the larger
form factor face.

Just my 2 cents  


73
- -----------------------------------
John
N5BSD
www.N5BSD.Com
Linux user #286770
Machine # 246511
http://counter.li.org
- ------------------------------------
- -----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Hisashi T
Fujinaka
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 6:17 PM
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: [Elecraft] Big K2 (or K2B - B for Big)]

How about just a big front panel replacement? More buttons!


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[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

I wonder how much of the desire for a bigger K2 could be satisfied with
a remote front panel?  I have often thought of building a remote head
for the KIO2 using the $40 Olimex PIC front panel board (now from
sparkfun.com) for use with a backpack.

The same idea could be used for a bigger front panel, which could also
provide two VFO knobs (though not stereo dual reception).  I think only
the AF gain and IF gain are impaired, and the AF gain is easily worked
around by using an audion amplifier in the remote head.

73,
Leigh.
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[Don Wilhelm-3]

All,

If a larger remote front panel is the proper answer,  then why not simply
use one of the K2 enabled software control programs which can add function
as well as size and flexibility?  The N4PY software and Ham Radio Deluxe are
two examples.  The 'panel' can be as large as your computer screen.
Apologies to those who really want to press 'real' buttons (and that
includes me - I am quite hardware oriented. but I don't think that a 'BIG'
K2 panel is feasible anytime soon).

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

>I wonder how much of the desire for a bigger K2 could be satisfied with a
>remote front panel?  I have often thought of building a remote head for the
>KIO2 using the $40 Olimex PIC front panel board (now from sparkfun.com) for
>use with a backpack.
>
> The same idea could be used for a bigger front panel, which could also
> provide two VFO knobs (though not stereo dual reception).  I think only
> the AF gain and IF gain are impaired, and the AF gain is easily worked
> around by using an audion amplifier in the remote head.
>

[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

Don,
That is almost exactly my point!  I think the K2 provides all the hooks
for a larger front panel based on a standard computer of some sort.

For backpack operation, I want something like the traditional mobile
detachable head, like Ken WB6MLC does with his Yaesu rig.   I don't want
to take a laptop with me, so the PC solution is out for that.  This
thread was started by people who claim they want bigger, more
comfortable knobs, so I think some may still want an auxillary front
panel.

So, the RS232 interface provides most of what we need...all we need are
smaller computers....

As for the N4APY and other software, it's quite impressive.  Personally
though, since I don't have Windows at home, I use Marote for Linux, and
while it is not at the same level as Ham Radio Deluxe, the author is
rapidly making improvements.  I would definitely add Marote to the list
of Linux ham software mentioned in thios month's QST (gMFSK, Xlog, and
Hamlib).  It would be nice if Marote used Hamlib, and maybe it will have
such an option someday, but right now it works only with the K2 (all
software should have such problems).

Leigh.
On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 9:11 pm, W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote:
> If a larger remote front panel is the proper answer,  then why not
> simply use one of the K2 enabled software control programs which can
> add function as well as size and flexibility?
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[Peter-64]

Hank Kohl K8DD wrote:

>
> I would like to see a K2Big - maybe even take my K2/100, strip the case
> and front panel and PCB's and
> put it in an upgrade box!
>
> 73    Hank    K8DD
>
> _______________________________________________

Why not a big front plate where you can plug in 2 times the RF board.
Some hardware to mount the PA, a new software release
And beat those Yaesu Ten tec with a real SO2R setup?

Peter


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[Jack Brindle]

Guys,

Wouldn't it be much cheaper just to get a magnifying glass?

:-) :-) :-)

Happy New Year!

On Dec 26, 2004, at 10:46 PM, Peter wrote:

>> I would like to see a K2Big - maybe even take my K2/100, strip the  
>> case
>> and front panel and PCB's and
>> put it in an upgrade box!
>>

- Jack Brindle, W6FB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------

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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Don, W3FPR wrote:
I wonder how much of the desire for a bigger K2 could be satisfied with
>a
>remote front panel?...

-------------------

Might work for me Don if it was a box with knobs and buttons. After 60 or 80
hours wailing at a keyboard working each week, I yearn for some knobs to
twiddle while roaming the aether. The computer is banished from the shack
when I'm operating. That's why I do so little digital stuff too...

I'm presently doing some work on a 1950's E.F. Johnson Viking Ranger for a
buddy. It's interesting that it was exactly 50 years ago this Christmas that
I got my own E.F. Johnson Viking Ranger from Santa so it's a bit of "déjà vu
all over again" to be messing about with the innards of one exactly half a
century later.

I've often grumbled over the tiny little controls on the K2 and it's overall
diminutive size. Then the postal worker staggered into the office a few days
ago with the Ranger in a huge box. It weighs 50 lbs. I'll never gripe about
the weight of a 35 amp power supply again!

Now, some of you may not know what this rig looks like, so here's a link to
some photos of Ranger beautifully-restored by another Ham:
http://tinyurl.com/3o6n9

The controls are nice sizes for my hands, the front panel spaces open and
easy, but why wouldn't they be in a rig that could swallow half a dozen
K2/100's at least! And it's just a transmitter, to be sure. No receive. And
it puts out 60 watts - just a bit over half of a K2/100 on CW and about 50
watts AM phone (equal to about 15 watts PEP SSB).

Oh, it's great fun working on it. I love the look and smell of glowing tubes
(remembering to keep one hand in my pocket - there's 800 volts loose all
over the place!)  but it's almost bigger than my whole operating desk. And
just picking it up to turn it over now and again eliminates any need to
visit the gym this week.

Shoot, I'm lucky I have a sturdy wood-working bench to open it up on - my
electronics table was neither big enough or strong enough to handle it!
Well, at least it doesn't require ESD protection.

My point is that as much as I love this old gear and have warm, affectionate
memories of many happy hours dipping finals, setting drive levels, then
adjusting the antenna loading before I could answer a CQ up the band, it's a
reminder of just how convenient, easy to build and simple to use the new
stuff like my Elecraft gear is.

Guess I won't complain about the little K2 front panel any longer... Yeah,
it could be a little bigger ... (Shaddup Ron!) Okay...

Ron AC7AC



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[Tom Arntzen]

Or!
Why not keep the K2 as is and get a K2RX only that can be mounted along with
the K2 as a second RX making 2band rx possible.
It also have to be muted by K2 tx and if possible the K2RX frequency can be
transfered to the K2 for instant tx.
It also must work as a stand alone unit that would be nice for SWL
operators.
And since power isn't a problem in such enviroment the unit would have
frontmounted speaker with a 3 watt amplifier.
Just a thaught!

Tom LA1PHA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Leigh L Klotz, Jr." <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 4:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: [Elecraft] Big K2 (or K2B - B for Big)]

>I wonder how much of the desire for a bigger K2 could be satisfied with a
>remote front panel?  I have often thought of building a remote head for the
>KIO2 using the $40 Olimex PIC front panel board (now from sparkfun.com) for
>use with a backpack.
>
> The same idea could be used for a bigger front panel, which could also
> provide two VFO knobs (though not stereo dual reception).  I think only
> the AF gain and IF gain are impaired, and the AF gain is easily worked
> around by using an audion amplifier in the remote head.
>
> 73,
> Leigh.
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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[Don Nesbitt]

OK - I can't stand it any more !  Here's my 2 cents.  I want a  K3!  I want
it to be the same size as my Collins KWM-2 - in fact, I'd like it to look
and "feel" like my M2 or S-Line gear with a great cabinet, really nice
paint,  excellent rotary knob placement and size with just a couple of
additions to the front panel simplicity of the KWM-2 - let's see, to the M2,
add DSP for notch, etc; IF level noise blanking, band stacking registers
like the Pro II - and - 200 watts output like the 1000MP Mark V - and, oh
yes, a built in power supply.  Hummm - I wonder if I can find a demolished
KWM-2, tear the guts out of it, drop my K2/100/KAT100  in along with a power
supply, hook up the knobs and . . . .  73 es gud dx  --don n4hh
K2/100/KAT100, etc, etc



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[Jeff Burns-3]

The current generation of control software and logging software do not work
together well. I use N3FJP for logging. Using a control program would make
it impossible to gather data into N3FJP's program. A hardware remote would
not have this problem.

Jeff
AD9T

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of W3FPR - Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 0:11 AM
To: [hidden email]; Leigh L Klotz, Jr.
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: [Elecraft] Big K2 (or K2B - B for Big)]

All,

If a larger remote front panel is the proper answer,  then why not simply
use one of the K2 enabled software control programs which can add function
as well as size and flexibility?  The N4PY software and Ham Radio Deluxe are

two examples.  The 'panel' can be as large as your computer screen.
Apologies to those who really want to press 'real' buttons (and that
includes me - I am quite hardware oriented. but I don't think that a 'BIG'
K2 panel is feasible anytime soon).

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

>I wonder how much of the desire for a bigger K2 could be satisfied with a
>remote front panel?  I have often thought of building a remote head for the

>KIO2 using the $40 Olimex PIC front panel board (now from sparkfun.com) for

>use with a backpack.
>
> The same idea could be used for a bigger front panel, which could also
> provide two VFO knobs (though not stereo dual reception).  I think only
> the AF gain and IF gain are impaired, and the AF gain is easily worked
> around by using an audion amplifier in the remote head.
>


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[N2TK]

I agree with this. When running you don't fiddle with too much.

What I would really, really, really like is true QSK for my K2. If I had
that I would immediately buy another K2, tie them together with a mute line
and RF signal line internally. Then I would use a software program to
control both so I could treat the two K2' s as slaved rigs so I could listen
in stereo - one receiver in one ear and the other receiver in the other ear.
This way I could operate true split and listen on both frequencies at the
same time.
With this setup I could take one K2 along for trips without dismantling the
station. When I'm hunting DX I could have the use of both K2's when the DX
station is operating split.

As I have said previously, the Kenwood TS950SDX has wonderful QSK. It has
spoiled me. You can listen between the dits and dahs. I want my main rig at
home to be able to do that.
On Dxpeditions I don't need QSK much as I mostly run stations. Using
semi-break-in while running is easier on the ears.

Happy New Year
N2TK, Tony



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Hank Kohl K8DD
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 7:06 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Fwd: Re: [Elecraft] Big K2 (or K2B - B for Big)]

[hidden email] wrote:

>I think that a lot of K2 owners, particularly contesters and DXers, get
>around the small size of the K2 by using computer control. That way they
have a
>small rig for portable use and a big computer display for home use. The big
>remote knob (CRS* is causing me to block on its real name) gives a nice
ergonomic
>interface for tuning and RIT.
>
>
That's not entirely true .... at least in my case.  In a contest about
the only things I use are the main
tuning knob and the AF gain.   At least when we're running.  Maybe the
RIT for the stations that don't
zero beat.
When I'm searching, it's the main tuning knob and maybe the AF gain.
The computer control keys the radio, keeps track of the frequency/band.
I try not to use any more of the buttons on the front panel than I have
to when I'm contesting.

Pretty much the same for DXing .... Set the filters the way I want them
and DSP if I need it.  Only thing
that drives me crazy is the A=B and SPLIT on the same button!

I would like to see a K2Big - maybe even take my K2/100, strip the case
and front panel and PCB's and
put it in an upgrade box!

73    Hank    K8DD



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