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K2 vs. K2/100

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Brian Lloyd-6

K2 vs. K2/100

We are currently building the KPA-100 for our K2 at the school. I
would like to hear from others who have incorporated the KPA100 into
the K2 (K2/100) vs. keeping the KPA100 external and leaving the K2 as
a QRP rig. I am waffling on the value of the K2 as a portable QRP rig,
probably with the integral KAT2 and battery pack, and an external amp
for base operation, and integrating the amp into the K2 and operating
with an external tuner.

Brian Lloyd
Granite Bay Montessori School 9330 Sierra College Bl
brian AT gbmontessori DOT com Roseville, CA 95661
+1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.791.912.8170 (fax)

PGP key ID: 12095C52A32A1B6C
PGP key fingerprint: 3B1D BA11 4913 3254 B6E0 CC09 1209 5C52 A32A 1B6C

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n6wg

Re: K2 vs. K2/100

Brian
If it were my choice, I'd go with the
100 PA and its ATU in an outboard box.
That leaves the K2 and its internal ATU
free for things like Field Day or other
portable operations.
Good luck and 73
Bob N6WG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Lloyd" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 9:32 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 vs. K2/100

> We are currently building the KPA-100 for our K2 at the school. I
> would like to hear from others who have incorporated the KPA100 into
> the K2 (K2/100) vs. keeping the KPA100 external and leaving the K2
as
> a QRP rig. I am waffling on the value of the K2 as a portable QRP
rig,
> probably with the integral KAT2 and battery pack, and an external
amp
> for base operation, and integrating the amp into the K2 and
operating
> with an external tuner.
>
> Brian Lloyd
> Granite Bay Montessori School 9330 Sierra College Bl
> brian AT gbmontessori DOT com Roseville, CA 95661
> +1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.791.912.8170 (fax)
>
> 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.
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 vs. K2/100

In reply to this post by Brian Lloyd-6

Brian,

My opinion - If you already have the K2 fitted with the KAT2, KIO2, and
internal battery, then put the KPA100 into an external EC2 enclosure
(along with the KAT100-2 either now or later).
It allows you to take the QRP K2 along on vacation or trips easily
OTOH, if you now have only the bare QRP top cover, and are not really
excited about using the QRP K2 portable, then just mount the KPA100 on
the K2.

It works great either way.

73,
Don W3FPR

Brian Lloyd wrote:

> We are currently building the KPA-100 for our K2 at the school. I
> would like to hear from others who have incorporated the KPA100 into
> the K2 (K2/100) vs. keeping the KPA100 external and leaving the K2 as
> a QRP rig. I am waffling on the value of the K2 as a portable QRP rig,
> probably with the integral KAT2 and battery pack, and an external amp
> for base operation, and integrating the amp into the K2 and operating
> with an external tuner.
>
> Brian Lloyd
> Granite Bay Montessori School 9330 Sierra College Bl
> brian AT gbmontessori DOT com Roseville, CA 95661
> +1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.791.912.8170 (fax)
>
> 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
>
>

Dave Van Wallaghen

RE: K2 vs. K2/100

In reply to this post by Brian Lloyd-6

Hi Brian,

As Don stated, if you already have the KIO2, KAT2 and battery options for
your K2, then externalizing the KPA100 and KAT100 in an EC2 enclosure makes
good sense and is very easy to do. I have my K2 setup in this configuration
and it is really easy for me to go from a base station setup to portable by
simple unplugging a couple of cables.

In my case, I had a K2/100 setup and then decided to split the KPA100 and
KAT100 out, so I had to purchase the additional KIO2 card. It makes for a
really clean setup in that you use the same AuxIO cable that was assembled
with the KAT100 and route it from the KIO2 connector to one of the AuxIO
connectors for the KPA100 or KAT100. The routing of the AuxIO signals
between the KPA100 and KAT100 are handled internally in the EC2 enclosure.
Lyle, KK7P, has a nice webpage describing the split-out process:
http://www.kk7p.com/k2kpa100.html The bottom of the page describes process
using the KIO2 in the basic K2. The top of the page shows how you can do it
without the KIO2. Personally, it seems much cleaner with the KIO2 module.

And if this isn't your cup of tea, I've been told by many that it is only a
matter of minutes to change out the top covers changing from a K2/100 to a
QRP K2. Since the KAT2 and KIO2 modules (and the internal battery option)
reside in the top cover, it is simply a matter of exchanging top covers and
plugging in the appropriate cables.

Either method is pretty simple and is a tribute to Elecraft for not only a
fine modular design, but for the mechanics as well. The external
KPA100/KAT100 would only require unplugging a couple of cables as opposed to
swapping top covers which would require a screwdriver and switching out a
couple cables.

If you have any questions regarding the external EC2 method, don't hesitate
to ask me offline. Sounds like you have a great project going there with
your kids.

73,
Dave W8FGU

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:elecraft-
> [hidden email]] On Behalf Of Brian Lloyd
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:33 PM
> To: Elecraft reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 vs. K2/100
>
> We are currently building the KPA-100 for our K2 at the school. I
> would like to hear from others who have incorporated the KPA100 into
> the K2 (K2/100) vs. keeping the KPA100 external and leaving the K2 as
> a QRP rig. I am waffling on the value of the K2 as a portable QRP rig,
> probably with the integral KAT2 and battery pack, and an external amp
> for base operation, and integrating the amp into the K2 and operating
> with an external tuner.
>
> Brian Lloyd
> Granite Bay Montessori School 9330 Sierra College Bl
> brian AT gbmontessori DOT com Roseville, CA 95661
> +1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.791.912.8170 (fax)
>
> 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