Elecraft

Re: K1 or K2

Classic

List

Threaded

4 messages Options

Gary D Krause

Re: K1 or K2

Hi Roger,

Well, I work for the Wyoming DOT and I make maps for the highway
projects around the state! Hi! I'm also a professional artist in my
spare time doing mostly portraits.

Ok on all the gear. I have a Ten Tec Argonaut V, a Ten Tec Century 22
and a Kenwood TS-530SP. The reason I'm looking at the K2 is because, I
think it would be fun to build and I would have one of the best
receivers around. I have DSP with the Argonaut V and crystal filters
with the Century 22. I also prefer the crystal filter. It just sounds
cleaner to me. If I get the K2 it will be the 100 watt version with
SSB. I work mostly CW but, I like to work SSB once in a while. It
would be nice to have a rig that can go from 1 to 100 watts. My
antennas are also homebrew with a couple of quarter wave ground plane
verticals up about ten feet. I can work all bands with them since they
are base loaded. I don't have much room in the backyard and these work
perfectly.

Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure it will be a great experience
and I've noticed how nice the people are here.

Gary, N7HTS

Roger Stein wrote:

>
> Hi Gary,
>
> Wow! You sure got a lot of responses to your inquiry.
>
> Elecraft owners are an enthusiastic bunch and very supportive of
> fellow users. It embodies the
> 'fraternal' aspect of what amateur radio was in the past to me.
>
> Oh, this is Roger, WA7BOC, in Montesano, WA. I work as a civil
> engineer for Grays Harbor Co.
> You can Google Earth 550 North Main Street in Montesano and see the
> QTH. The County
> campus is at 100 West Broadway, just 4 blocks from my house. A great
> commute!!!!
>
> I have a lot of tall trees on my property for hanging wire
> antennas....ah, antennas....my passion!
>
> Back to the work subject...we have a GIS department. They use ARC view
> (sp?) for the county mapping
> activity. Fascinating subject! WSDOT is our partner in our road and
> bridge projects, funding, audits, etc.
>
> And back to ham radio.....I had a Century 21 as well as an Argonaut
> with the 405 ? amplifier years ago. Fun
> equipment, liked the QSK feature!
>
> Like you, I was kind of dormant from the radio activity for a while.
> When I did spin the dial and listen, the bands seemed full of less
> than desirable radio activity. This was with a Drake B-line that my
> Dad and I had shared over the years. I had spotted the Elecraft ad and
> checked out the web-site. Great! My interest was rekindled in amateur
> radio.
>
> By chance I stumbled across a collector of Drake gear on the internet
> as I was now looking to sell the Drake and purchase a K2. I exchanged
> photos of the gear, clean and shiny as it was always warm, dry and in
> a non-smoking environment. He liked what he saw. I mentioned that I
> was selling the Drake to purchase a K2. Well, he had one as well, plus
> a second unit that he had never assembled! The negotiating began! A
> deal was struck and that was how I acquired my K2. I later met both
> Eric and Wayne at two different Ham Fests, heard both give talks, and
> was very impressed with them as individuals and their knowledge and
> direction for their products.
>
> I liken the building of the Elecraft gear to a 'journey', it is a lot
> of fun along the way and continues to be enjoyable once you get
> there.... the finished product.
>
> You tend to acquire an 'ownership' factor during the building process,
> for sure when you wind the toroids.
> I just grabbed the wire, the cores, the tools and sat down in the
> family room and took my time 'sewing', as one fellow replied, away.
> It makes for good therapy when you tire of soldering! Just follow
> the instructions, get a handy magnifying lens and double check the
> turn counts. The tinning is best done over the bench and not the
> family room carpet!
>
> The 'solder-blob' method works like a charm, just need to clean up a
> little flux off the end of the wire. It is ok if the tinning extends
> up to the core as you will cinch the cores down to the circuit board.
> The thru-plated holes on the circuit boards are first class and make
> for a real nice soldering experience. A temperature controlled
> soldering station and some nice flush cutting diagonals are the real
> ticket.
>
> There is a lot to read about all this aforementioned info on their
> website and in the Reflector archives.
>
> I have had a blast on 160 in a couple of the contests, chase some DX,
> ragchew, and continue to tweak around with the CW filter widths, and
> seach for the 'best' sidetone frequency! Check out both Don, W3FPR
> and Tom N0SS, websites for other neat Elecraft info. I believe that
> there are links on the Elecraft site.
>
> All the kits have been fun to assemble, the only problems were do to
> my errors. I have the K2 with 160, noise blanker, ssb, 100 watt module
> and matching tuner. I had the QRP version tuner but sold it in favor
> of the KAT-100, had the audio filter....tried the DSP, sold the AF
> unit, and later sold the DSP, not to my liking.
>
> A lot like choosing speakers! All ears hear different. I use an
> external Timewave DSP599Z if I come across anything that the regular
> K2 filtering can't handle, and that is infrequent!
>
> Also have the n-gen, dummy load, and signal generator.
>
> Well that is my 2 cents worth...... :-)
>
> 73, Roger, WA7BOC
> K2 #755
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
> It has removed 6 spam emails to date.
> Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
> Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/len> for free now!

_______________________________________________
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

Gary D Krause

Re: Re: K1 or K2

Hi Dale!

Where have you been? I assume you have a K2 or one of the other
Elecraft rigs? Yes, these are nice people here.

Gary, N7HTS in Wyoming

Dale Putnam wrote:

>
> Hey, Gary,
> Been a while, good to see you. Hope all is well,
> and Welcome.. these are a great bunch of folks. Lots of help.
> --... ...--
> Dale - WC7S in Wy
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> > Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:01:01 -0600
> > From: [hidden email]
> > To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> > CC:
> > Subject: [Elecraft] Re: K1 or K2
> >
> > Hi Roger,
> >
> > Well, I work for the Wyoming DOT and I make maps for the highway
> > projects around the state! Hi! I'm also a professional artist in my
> > spare time doing mostly portraits.
> >
> > Ok on all the gear. I have a Ten Tec Argonaut V, a Ten Tec Century 22
> > and a Kenwood TS-530SP. The reason I'm looking at the K2 is because, I
> > think it would be fun to build and I would have one of the best
> > receivers around. I have DSP with the Argonaut V and crystal filters
> > with the Century 22. I also prefer the crystal filter. It just sounds
> > cleaner to me. If I get the K2 it will be the 100 watt version with
> > SSB. I work mostly CW but, I like to work SSB once in a while. It
> > would be nice to have a rig that can go from 1 to 100 watts. My
> > antennas are also homebrew with a couple of quarter wave ground plane
> > verticals up about ten feet. I can work all bands with them since they
> > are base loaded. I don't have much room in the backyard and these work
> > perfectly.
> >
> > Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure it will be a great experience
> > and I've noticed how nice the people are here.
> >
> > Gary, N7HTS
> >
> > Roger Stein wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Gary,
> > >
> > > Wow! You sure got a lot of responses to your inquiry.
> > >
> > > Elecraft owners are an enthusiastic bunch and very supportive of
> > > fellow users. It embodies the
> > > 'fraternal' aspect of what amateur radio was in the past to me.
> > >
> > > Oh, this is Roger, WA7BOC, in Montesano, WA. I work as a civil
> > > engineer for Grays Harbor Co.
> > > You can Google Earth 550 North Main Street in Montesano and see the
> > > QTH. The County
> > > campus is at 100 West Broadway, just 4 blocks from my house. A great
> > > commute!!!!
> > >
> > > I have a lot of tall trees on my property for hanging wire
> > > antennas....ah, antennas....my passion!
> > >
> > > Back to the work subject...we have a GIS department. They use ARC
> view
> > > (sp?) for the county mapping
> > > activity. Fascinating subject! WSDOT is our partner in our road and
> > > bridge projects, funding, audits, etc.
> > >
> > > And back to ham radio.....I had a Century 21 as well as an Argonaut
> > > with the 405 ? amplifier years ago. Fun
> > > equipment, liked the QSK feature!
> > >
> > > Like you, I was kind of dormant from the radio activity for a while.
> > > When I did spin the dial and listen, the bands seemed full of less
> > > than desirable radio activity. This was with a Drake B-line that my
> > > Dad and I had shared over the years. I had spotted the Elecraft ad
> and
> > > checked out the web-site. Great! My interest was rekindled in amateur
> > > radio.
> > >
> > > By chance I stumbled across a collector of Drake gear on the internet
> > > as I was now looking to sell the Drake and purchase a K2. I exchanged
> > > photos of the gear, clean and shiny as it was always warm, dry and in
> > > a non-smoking environment. He liked what he saw. I mentioned that I
> > > was selling the Drake to purchase a K2. Well, he had one as well,
> plus
> > > a second unit that he had never assembled! The negotiating began! A
> > > deal was struck and that was how I acquired my K2. I later met both
> > > Eric and Wayne at two different Ham Fests, heard both give talks, and
> > > was very impressed with them as individuals and their knowledge and
> > > direction for their products.
> > >
> > > I liken the building of the Elecraft gear to a 'journey', it is a lot
> > > of fun along the way and continues to be enjoyable once you get
> > > there.... the finished product.
> > >
> > > You tend to acquire an 'ownership' factor during the building
> process,
> > > for sure when you wind the toroids.
> > > I just grabbed the wire, the cores, the tools and sat down in the
> > > family room and took my time 'sewing', as one fellow replied, away.
> > > It makes for good therapy when you tire of soldering! Just follow
> > > the instructions, get a handy magnifying lens and double check the
> > > turn counts. The tinning is best done over the bench and not the
> > > family room carpet!
> > >
> > > The 'solder-blob' method works like a charm, just need to clean up a
> > > little flux off the end of the wire. It is ok if the tinning extends
> > > up to the core as you will cinch the cores down to the circuit board.
> > > The thru-plated holes on the circuit boards are first class and make
> > > for a real nice soldering experience. A temperature controlled
> > > soldering station and some nice flush cutting diagonals are the real
> > > ticket.
> > >
> > > There is a lot to read about all this aforementioned info on their
> > > website and in the Reflector archives.
> > >
> > > I have had a blast on 160 in a couple of the contests, chase some DX,
> > > ragchew, and continue to tweak around with the CW filter widths, and
> > > seach for the 'best' sidetone frequency! Check out both Don, W3FPR
> > > and Tom N0SS, websites for other neat Elecraft info. I believe that
> > > there are links on the Elecraft site.
> > >
> > > All the kits have been fun to assemble, the only problems were do to
> > > my errors. I have the K2 with 160, noise blanker, ssb, 100 watt
> module
> > > and matching tuner. I had the QRP version tuner but sold it in favor
> > > of the KAT-100, had the audio filter....tried the DSP, sold the AF
> > > unit, and later sold the DSP, not to my liking.
> > >
> > > A lot like choosing speakers! All ears hear different. I use an
> > > external Timewave DSP599Z if I come across anything that the regular
> > > K2 filtering can't handle, and that is infrequent!
> > >
> > > Also have the n-gen, dummy load, and signal generator.
> > >
> > > Well that is my 2 cents worth...... :-)
> > >
> > > 73, Roger, WA7BOC
> > > K2 #755
> > >
> > >
> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
> > > It has removed 6 spam emails to date.
> > > Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
> > > Try SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/len> for free now!
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> It’s tax season, make sure to follow these few simple tips Check it
> out!
> <http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/PreparationTips/PreparationTips.aspx?icid=WLMartagline>

Gary D Krause

Re: Re: K1 or K2

In reply to this post by Gary D Krause

Hi Dale,

I'm thinking about giving the K2 a try and I'm also interested in the external
amp for it. I noticed that some here have talked about that. It would be
nice to have a QRP rig and a separate amp. Does Elecraft sell the amp as a
stand alone or do you have to build it into the rig?

Well, my GAP Challenger came down with the wind several month ago. It snapped
off at the base. I had it in a tilt mount. So, I cut the antenna in half and
made a couple of quarter wave ground plane verticals out of it. They work
better than any vertical I have ever had. I managed to work some DX a couple
of weeks ago when the band conditions were good.

I'm glad to hear that the K2 reciever is out of this world. Maybe we'll be
the first to work Mars when one finally makes it there! Hi! I'm getting
excited about getting one. I need to buy a good soldering station and DMM
before I do. It should be a fun project.

Gary, N7HTS

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:57:26 -0600
Dale Putnam <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Gary,
> Been here and there, Lucent/Avaya, then Sprint, then/now at the base taking
>care of their radios. Pretty much the same position that I had when I moved
>to Cheyenne before WyDOT. Odd how things go around like that.
> Yes, I have a K2, and also some of the Steve Weber rigs, the AT series, all
>but the last one. Seems the K2 has a rx that just is out of this world.
>Compared to the Icom 761, it does noticeable better, in crowded, noisy, or
>busy conditions. I have a mic with mine, but seldom use it. You shouldn't
>have any trouble with it at all. Don Wilhelm is excellent with the
>assistance.
> How've you been? Are the antennas stayin up with all this nice ice and
>wind? --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Your friends are close to you. Keep them that way.
> http://spaces.live.com/signup.aspx

Gary D Krause

Re: Re: K1 or K2

Hi David,

It's great that there are so many of us in Wyoming. Hi! I'm in Cheyenne.
Well, I'm thinking of getting the amp and ssb option with the initial order
rather than adding them later. From what I have read so far, I'm assuming it
will be easier to do that with the initial build than having to rework it
later. I'm aware of the rework kit that is available but, I'm trying to keep
the cost down as much as possible.

Thanks for the info on the light. I have some lights that I can use (since
I'm an artist, I tend to have those things laying around). I do have some ice
cube trays that I don't use so, thanks for the tip!

You won't have any problem with the code. My advice, not that you asked for
it, is to practice about twenty minutes a day and then just forget it until
the next day. Your mind will assimilate it and in no time, about four to six
weeks, you'll be ready to give it a try. I work mostly CW myself. There is
definitely a rhythm to it and you will be able to tell who is using a computer
and who in using a key. ;) When you are ready, let me know and we could set
up a sched.

My concern is that I'll spend too much time constructing the K2 and not enough
time on the air! Hi!

Gary, N7HTS

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:10:06 -0600
David King <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Gary...I'm KE7EKA, in Gillette....and am working on a K2 right now (SN#6048)
>and am just ready to launch into the RF Board (largest portion of the kit).
>
> I've found a couple of things have been helpful. I found a Ring Magnifier
>light on the swivel arm for about 50 bucks at Office Depot, and wouldn't have
>made it past the first board without it. Best price I've found for
>that...most have been 90-110 bucks.
>
> Also, we had several plastic ice cube trays in storage in the garage...I
>cleaned them up and have been using them as parts bins...when you open the
>parts bags and sort the parts, it helps to organize them in the trays.
>
> I'm figuring on going the SSB route mostly, so that addition plus the 100
>watt amp add-on will both be on the list of "next" steps.
>
> I'm finding it to be a great lot of fun....not totally certain I want to
>finish it! Then what'll I do with my spare time? Oh, that's right...learn
>code and operate the rig!
>
> David King
> KE7EKA
>
>
> Gary D Krause wrote:
>
>> Hi Dale,
>>
>> I'm thinking about giving the K2 a try and I'm also interested in the
>> external amp for it. I noticed that some here have talked about
>> that. It would be nice to have a QRP rig and a separate amp. Does
>> Elecraft sell the amp as a stand alone or do you have to build it into
>> the rig?
>>
>> Well, my GAP Challenger came down with the wind several month ago. It
>> snapped off at the base. I had it in a tilt mount. So, I cut the
>> antenna in half and made a couple of quarter wave ground plane
>> verticals out of it. They work better than any vertical I have ever
>> had. I managed to work some DX a couple of weeks ago when the band
>> conditions were good.
>>
>> I'm glad to hear that the K2 reciever is out of this world. Maybe
>> we'll be the first to work Mars when one finally makes it there! Hi!
>> I'm getting excited about getting one. I need to buy a good soldering
>> station and DMM before I do. It should be a fun project.
>>
>> Gary, N7HTS
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:57:26 -0600
>> Dale Putnam <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Gary,
>>> Been here and there, Lucent/Avaya, then Sprint, then/now at the base
>>> taking care of their radios. Pretty much the same position that I had
>>> when I moved to Cheyenne before WyDOT. Odd how things go around like
>>> that.
>>> Yes, I have a K2, and also some of the Steve Weber rigs, the AT
>>> series, all but the last one. Seems the K2 has a rx that just is out
>>> of this world. Compared to the Icom 761, it does noticeable better,
>>> in crowded, noisy, or busy conditions. I have a mic with mine, but
>>> seldom use it. You shouldn't have any trouble with it at all. Don
>>> Wilhelm is excellent with the assistance. How've you been? Are the
>>> antennas stayin up with all this nice ice and wind? --... ...--
>>> Dale - WC7S in Wy
>>>
>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>> Your friends are close to you. Keep them that way.
>>> http://spaces.live.com/signup.aspx
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>>
>