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K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

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wb2srf

K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

Hi Greg,

Congratulations on building K2 S/N 6100.

I built the EC2/KPA100/KAT100. The rig operates the same as if the KPA100
was installed in the K2.

It is a great feature to be able to quickly disconnect the K2 from the
EC2/KPA100/KAT100 to take just the K2 to the field for outside QRP
operation. I have the KAT2, Battery option and auxiliary interface built
in the K2 cover.

There are excellent instructions posted by Lyle KK7P and John KI6WX on
the Internet to show how it is done.

When the EC2/KPA100/KAT100 is attached to the K2 and the power level is
set below 11 Watts the amplifier is bypassed and goes through the KAT100
for tuning.

The KAT100 shows this mode the Low power indicator led is on.

As Don W3FPR suggested, it is best to build and complete the K2 and
KPA100 together and when all tests are complete separate the KPA100 to
prepare it for installation in the EC2.

I decided to build my own auxiliary interface from ideas posted by KK7P
and KI6WX to do this without the KIO2 since I did not need the RS-232
function because I was not interested in connecting the K2 to a computer.

The only consideration is that if you do not have the KAT2 you may need a
QRP antenna tuner for field use if you do not operate into a resonant
antenna with a 50 Ohm load.

GL 73,

Bob Johansen WB2SRF K2 S/N 5622
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Chuck Gehring

Re: K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

Greg Derda, wrote:

>I just finished building K2 #6100 …two obvious configuration for my K2 are:

>1. K2/100 with separate KAT/100

>2. K2 with EC2/KPA100/KAT100 (and KIO2 in the K2)

>Question is: What are the obvious benefits or quirks between the above >setups? Specifically, I am wondering if with the EC2 setup.....

Greg,

>1. Whether the KPA100 behaves (i.e., "appears") the same to the K2 as >if it were internal?

The KPA100 does behave exactly the same whether it is mounted inside the K2 or mounted in an external EC2 enclosure. With the KPA100 mounted in an external EC2 Enclosure you will need an additional KIO2 mounted in the EC2 (one KIO2 in the basic K2 and one in the EC2) and the data cable connecting the K2 and the KPA100 in the EC2

>2. Is it a simple plug-n-play to either use or not use the EC2 setup?

Yes, it is very much just “plug and play”. As long as the data cable is installed the K2 will recognize when the KPA100 is connected.

>3. For QPR ops with the EC2 setup, can you run just the KAT100 without having to power the KPA100?

For QRP operations with a KAT100 and the KPA100 mounted in the external EC2 enclosure the power supports both the KAT100 and the KPA100. To run QRP just adjust the power on your K2. As long as the K2 power remains below 10 watts the KPA100 does on turn on. You can not isolate power to just power the KAT100 with both mounted in the EC2, simply adjust the power output to QRP level on the K2.

With my K2 I have the KAT2 internal tuner and internal battery installed, with the KPA100 and the KAT100 mounted externally in an EC2 enclosure. For Field operations I simply disconnect the data cable, antenna connection, and power cable then walk away with my K2 QRP rig ready to go.

You can take a look at my K2 and KPA100/KAT100 setup with my cable connections at: http://k2qrp.com/Radio%20Projects.htm

My setup has been working perfectly for over a year now. I hope this answers your questions.

73 K2CG
Chuck Gehring

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Greg Derda-2

Re: K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

Thanks to all for all of the great replies so far!!

One more quick question....

Is there anything to consider if I were contemplating the purchase of
an already built EC2/KPA100/KAT100 w/ cables? I am thinking that all I
would need to do is install a KIO2 in my K2(?).

Greg
ki4mmm

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Dave Van Wallaghen

RE: K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

Yes. Or build the cable referenced in Elecraft's Application Notes as noted
by Bob.

Have fun - I think you'll really like it.

Dave W8FGU

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft-
> [hidden email]] On Behalf Of Greg Derda
> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 2:57 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100
>
> Thanks to all for all of the great replies so far!!
>
> One more quick question....
>
> Is there anything to consider if I were contemplating the purchase of
> an already built EC2/KPA100/KAT100 w/ cables? I am thinking that all I
> would need to do is install a KIO2 in my K2(?).
>
> Greg
> ki4mmm
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Michael Pfeuffer

Re: K2/KPA100 vs. EC2/KPA100

In reply to this post by Greg Derda-2

Along the same lines - does remoting the KPA100 do anything to reduce the
10m birdie at 28.018?

Thanks!
--Mike WQ5C

At 01:56 PM 5/17/2007, Greg Derda wrote:

>Thanks to all for all of the great replies so far!!
>
>One more quick question....
>
>Is there anything to consider if I were contemplating the purchase of an
>already built EC2/KPA100/KAT100 w/ cables? I am thinking that all I would
>need to do is install a KIO2 in my K2(?).
>
>Greg
>ki4mmm
>
>_______________________________________________
>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