It Just Takes Time
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Don - There is an aphorism or proverb for both sides of any situation,
and in some cases the same can be applied to both sides. The beginning of the line after the two you quote from Ecclesiastes perhaps best sums up the opinions of those who think the K3 was announced and released too early: "A time to be born..." Although the most applicable poetical line to that situation may be that written by an unknown Madison Avenue copywriter and uttered as eloquently by Orson Welles as any line of Shakespeare: "We will sell no wine before its time." I would like to get a K3, but am waiting for the firmware and hardware to settle down to stable off the shelf items. And the tannins to mellow. :^)- Duffey -- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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OK, We just finished the K2 for our school. I was planing to teach the
kids to solder and wanted a radio that the kids could build so I asked the ARRL for the K2 instead of the low-end Ikensu (Yaecomwood?) they were offering. I remember how much I learned from building Heathkits, Knight kits, and Eico kits as a kid so I thought we could do the same with the K2. Construction took much of the school year (October to April) including a few dry spells when I sat after school and "slung solder" just so we would keep making forward progress. (It was a big project for 10-13 year-old kids.) Regardless, the K2, KSB2, and KNB2 are finished and on- the-air. The KPA100 is now in the build area and my "star" builders (5th graders who think that soldering is just about as much fun as you can have) have just unpacked, taken inventory, and soldered the first parts. (I took inventory too and couldn't find the output transistors. I darned near tore my hair out until I found the drawer where they had been carefully, neatly, and incorrectly stored.) We have 5 more weeks of school so we are going to have to push to get the KPA100 done, especially with all the other end-of-year projects. (I suspect I will have to keep the momentum going. Poor me. :-) I think I have said that we will be on the air for Field Day using the K2 with solar power. I hope to have a couple who will be ready to do some slow-and-simple CW QSOs too. Gotta get those multipliers! I know everyone is dumping their K2s so they can get a K3 but, gee- whiz, the K2 is some good receiver. I *love* this radio! I have had a LOT of radios come and go in the shack (top-of-the-line Kenwood, two sets of Collins S-Line, several Icom, a Yaesu station, and a plethora of Heathkits) and I have to say that, so far, I think this is my favorite radio, even at just 10W. The only thing it is missing (stock) is a good way to do digital modes. (I have seen the mod for getting audio out before the audio amp but not sure how well it will fit after getting the KPA100 in there.) So, the K3 looks like a superb radio. I want one. But, compared to just about everything else, the K2 is still a winner. (For some reason it keeps following me home on the weekends.) -- Brian Lloyd Granite Bay Montessori brian AT gbmontessori DOT com 9330 Sierra College Blvd. +1.916.367.2131 (voice) Roseville, CA 95661, USA http://www.gbmontessori.com I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . . — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry PGP key ID: 12095C52A32A1B6C PGP key fingerprint: 3B1D BA11 4913 3254 B6E0 CC09 1209 5C52 A32A 1B6C _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Brian Lloyd wrote:
> ... > I know everyone is dumping their K2s so they can get a K3 but, > gee-whiz, the K2 is some good receiver. I *love* this radio! Everyone? If you compare the number of K2s purchased to the number being offered for sale you will see that nearly everyone is keeping their K2s. We love 'em, too. My K2 (#3302) is my portable rig and the K3 (#441) is my "base station", although these roles may be reversed from time to time. 73, Gus Hansen KB0YH _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I couldn't agree more. I'm selling my Drake TR7, B-Line and Icom 718 to help finance my K3. I'm keeping my K2/100/KAT100 to use at the lake cabin. I love that rig! If Elecraft made a mobile rig I would sell my venerable IC-706 too.
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In reply to this post by Brian Lloyd-6
Brian
Fine on your progress with this fine rig. I plan to continue to enjoy my own K2 as the flagship rig of my station! On PSK31 and digital modes -- you don't need to modify your K2 -- check out the application note posted at elecraft.com. essentially all you need is a stereo cable on receive, a mic connector and a few parts on transmit, and some means to do the T/R switching. The kids will 'resonate' with PSK31 based upon their other PC experiences. Remember to run the K2 at approx half power when doing the digital modes !! I have seen PSK31 at field day, and it tends to be rather tough in the pile-ups -- so calling CQ may be preferred if you run QRP-battery/solar. Meanwhile PSK31 may be ideal for non-contest operating with your youth. This is NOT the ideal time for QRP-SSB ! You just might need that amp. Do check the calendar for kids-day events, as this may charm them more than an array of 599 my state-is reports. And consider scheds to other schools or kids. Here in Maryland, a contact station is KI3DS. 73, curt --- Brian Lloyd <[hidden email]> wrote: > OK, We just finished the K2 for our school. I was > planing to teach the > kids to solder and wanted a radio that the kids > could build so I asked > the ARRL for the K2 instead of the low-end Ikensu > (Yaecomwood?) they > were offering. I remember how much I learned from > building Heathkits, > Knight kits, and Eico kits as a kid so I thought we > could do the same > with the K2. > > Construction took much of the school year (October > to April) including > a few dry spells when I sat after school and "slung > solder" just so we > would keep making forward progress. (It was a big > project for 10-13 > year-old kids.) Regardless, the K2, KSB2, and KNB2 > are finished and on- > the-air. The KPA100 is now in the build area and my > "star" builders > (5th graders who think that soldering is just about > as much fun as you > can have) have just unpacked, taken inventory, and > soldered the first > parts. (I took inventory too and couldn't find the > output transistors. > I darned near tore my hair out until I found the > drawer where they had > been carefully, neatly, and incorrectly stored.) We > have 5 more weeks > of school so we are going to have to push to get the > KPA100 done, > especially with all the other end-of-year projects. > (I suspect I will > have to keep the momentum going. Poor me. :-) I > think I have said that > we will be on the air for Field Day using the K2 > with solar power. I > hope to have a couple who will be ready to do some > slow-and-simple CW > QSOs too. Gotta get those multipliers! > > I know everyone is dumping their K2s so they can get > a K3 but, gee- > whiz, the K2 is some good receiver. I *love* this > radio! I have had a > LOT of radios come and go in the shack > (top-of-the-line Kenwood, two > sets of Collins S-Line, several Icom, a Yaesu > station, and a plethora > of Heathkits) and I have to say that, so far, I > think this is my > favorite radio, even at just 10W. The only thing it > is missing (stock) > is a good way to do digital modes. (I have seen the > mod for getting > audio out before the audio amp but not sure how well > it will fit after > getting the KPA100 in there.) > > So, the K3 looks like a superb radio. I want one. > But, compared to > just about everything else, the K2 is still a > winner. > > (For some reason it keeps following me home on the > weekends.) > -- > > Brian Lloyd Granite Bay > Montessori > brian AT gbmontessori DOT com 9330 Sierra > College Blvd. > +1.916.367.2131 (voice) Roseville, CA > 95661, USA > > http://www.gbmontessori.com > > I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny > of petty things . . . > Antoine de Saint-Exupéry > > PGP key ID: 12095C52A32A1B6C > PGP key fingerprint: 3B1D BA11 4913 3254 B6E0 CC09 > 1209 5C52 A32A 1B6C > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by NZ0T
Hello,
My fully loaded K2 is a great rig to use. I have spent a lot of time building, troubleshooting etc to get it up and running the way it should work, it is a keeper. I'm still working on a XV50, that has major problems, and awaiting an KAT100 autotuner (on Back order), but when everything is up and running will have a very nice station. I'm going to sell a Collins 75A-4, one of my R-390a's, Collins 32S-1 and 75S-1 to pay for an on order K3. I'm still love boatanchors, and will keep the gear I most like, but want a K3. Best, DW Holtman WB7SSN ----- Original Message ----- From: "nz0t" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 8:20 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 not dead yet > > I couldn't agree more. I'm selling my Drake TR7, B-Line and Icom 718 to > help > finance my K3. I'm keeping my K2/100/KAT100 to use at the lake cabin. I > love that rig! If Elecraft made a mobile rig I would sell my venerable > IC-706 too. > > Augie Hansen wrote: >> >> Brian Lloyd wrote: >>> ... >>> I know everyone is dumping their K2s so they can get a K3 but, >>> gee-whiz, the K2 is some good receiver. I *love* this radio! >> >> Everyone? If you compare the number of K2s purchased to the number being >> offered for sale you will see that nearly everyone is keeping their K2s. >> We love 'em, too. My K2 (#3302) is my portable rig and the K3 (#441) is >> my "base station", although these roles may be reversed from time to >> time. >> >> 73, Gus Hansen >> KB0YH >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> > > -- > View this message in context: > http://www.nabble.com/It-Just-Takes-Time-tp16798653p16807946.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Curt Milton
On Apr 21, 2008, at 7:34 AM, Curt Milton wrote: > Brian > > Fine on your progress with this fine rig. I plan to > continue to enjoy my own K2 as the flagship rig of my > station! > > On PSK31 and digital modes -- you don't need to modify > your K2 -- check out the application note posted at > elecraft.com. Yes, I have done that. I was going throw together a cable to go into the mic input as I have a spare 8-pin mic connector floating around. > essentially all you need is a stereo > cable on receive, a mic connector and a few parts on > transmit, and some means to do the T/R switching. VOX. But one of the advantages of the K2 is using the narrow filter on PSK so that only the desired signal affects the AGC. That implies doing my tuning with the main tuning rather than just point-n-click on the computer. Frankly I find that being able to hear the audio is very helpful in tuning to get the signal to the center of the passband. That means I need to hear the signal at the same time I am feeding it to my computer. > The kids will 'resonate' with PSK31 based upon their > other PC experiences. Surprisingly they have not taken to PSK31 at all. I have one of the school computers connected to the Icom IC-706mkII through a RigBlaster. (The IC-706 sucks as a PSK rig.) I also built a 1W PSK31 rig at school (a Small Wonder PSK-20) and the kids occasionally use that as well. They would much rather get on the local repeater or call CQ on 20M. Who knows. > Remember to run the K2 at approx half power when doing > the digital modes !! I would expect that to prevent too much temperature rise on the finals. We are, after all, only talking 3dB. > I have seen PSK31 at field day, and it tends to be > rather tough in the pile-ups -- so calling CQ may be > preferred if you run QRP-battery/solar. Meanwhile > PSK31 may be ideal for non-contest operating with your > youth. Definitely. Good point on using PSK on field day. I wasn't thinking about that. We certainly could. > This is NOT the ideal time for QRP-SSB ! You just > might need that amp. Definitely. The kids are already making progress on it. I hope to have it done by the end of school (May 31). As much as I like QRP, this is not the time for QRP in anything except CW, PSK, or some form of MFSK. > Do check the calendar for kids-day events, as this may > charm them more than an array of 599 my state-is > reports. And consider scheds to other schools or > kids. Here in Maryland, a contact station is KI3DS. I have been coordinating with other schools through the ARRL program. The major problem has been the bands being dead and a high noise level at the school QTH. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. -- 73 de Brian, WB6RQN Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com _______________________________________________ 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 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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