To those that have the K2 and K3

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To those that have the K2 and K3

Gary D Krause
Why do you still have both?  The K2 is my main station rig.  I recently
considered buying a K3 and even went to the Elecraft web site to order it.
 Each time I backed off so that I could think more about it.  In the end, I
decided to add a couple of options to my K2.  I could still order a K3 if I
want but, I'm afraid my K2 would just sit and gather dust.  I don't want to
sell it after spending all that time putting it together including the
options.  I see comments that the reciever is so much better on the K3
compared to the K2.  How much better?  I don't know of anyone that has a K3 to
listen to.  I've watched and listened to the Youtube videos but, the sound is
only as good as my pc speakers and the camera that recorded it so, that's not
much to go by.  The specs look better on the K3 compared to the K2 but, not by
much.  For the kind of operating I do, the K2 is great.  The K3 is always
there in the back of my mind, though.  In some respects, the K3 really sucks!
;-)

Gary, N7THS



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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Julian, G4ILO

Gary D Krause wrote
Why do you still have both?
A lot of reasons, not the least of which is that I built my K2. I only assembled my K3. It isn't the same. There's a bond with a radio that you built yourself that doesn't exist if you only bought it.

Then the K3 does modes like AM, FM and digital. Digimodes were really an afterthought on the K2, but they are my biggest interest. The K3 was specced to be a digital operator's dream radio and although there have been some issues with the firmware, now corrected, I would say that it is.

I also hoped for pleasanter receive audio quality. The audio on the K2 was a bit pinched, which is actually fine for communications purposes especually as mine was a QRP radio, but a bit tiring on the ears at times. The K3 allows wider filters that are flatter across the top which gives better fidelity, though it still has an indefinable "DSP" harshness that I don't notice in analog radios like the old FT-902DM someone brought to the local club the other night.

About the last thing I bought the K3 for was its receiver performance numbers. My view on that is more or less "who cares?" In my situation it's external QRN that defines what I can and can't hear. I'm sure the K2 could hear anything the K3 can, but I've never bothered to test them side by side to be certain of it. But the fuss some people make about IP3 and the rest makes you wonder how anyone managed to work anything 20 years ago when sensitivity and selectivity were the only receiver paramaters anyone measured...

73,
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Alan Bloom
In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
K3:  Better performance, more features.  Good base-station radio.

K2:  Smaller. lighter, built-in battery.  Good QRP portable radio.

Al N1AL


On Wed, 2009-11-04 at 12:39 -0700, Gary D Krause wrote:

> Why do you still have both?  The K2 is my main station rig.  I recently
> considered buying a K3 and even went to the Elecraft web site to order it.
>  Each time I backed off so that I could think more about it.  In the end, I
> decided to add a couple of options to my K2.  I could still order a K3 if I
> want but, I'm afraid my K2 would just sit and gather dust.  I don't want to
> sell it after spending all that time putting it together including the
> options.  I see comments that the reciever is so much better on the K3
> compared to the K2.  How much better?  I don't know of anyone that has a K3 to
> listen to.  I've watched and listened to the Youtube videos but, the sound is
> only as good as my pc speakers and the camera that recorded it so, that's not
> much to go by.  The specs look better on the K3 compared to the K2 but, not by
> much.  For the kind of operating I do, the K2 is great.  The K3 is always
> there in the back of my mind, though.  In some respects, the K3 really sucks!
> ;-)
>
> Gary, N7THS
>
>
>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Gary D Krause
In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
Wow, that's the first time I've done that to my own call sign.  Thanks for the
input Jack.  A K3 just may be in my future yet.

Gary, N7HTS


On Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:05:00 -0800
  Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Gary;
>
> I have both. The K2 now serves as a backup to the K3, but I also use  it for
>development work, so I probably don't count in the overall  statistics. I
>plan on giving the K2 to my son (KG6YMN) when he goes to  college in a year
>or so. That way he will have to work a bit harder to  ask me to send money
>(rather than just picking up the phone)...
>
> I was very skeptical about the K3 receiver being better. Wayne kept
> assuring me it was. Then I got my K3, and discovered the truth. It is  way
>better. There are several things. In contests it simply does not  crunch,
>even when someone is relatively close by (both frequency and  distance). The
>filters allow me to block folks out when I need to, but  mostly they allow me
>to reduce the excess noise that tends to give me  a headache. I can eliminate
>the super lows to get rid of rumble, and  the highs that are just pure noise.
>And when there is a signal up  there that bothers me, I just close the
>bandpass down a bit and get  rid of it. I wish I could do that on the K2, but
>the DSP just doesn't  have the capability. I found the noise blanker to be
>better on the K2  for getting rid of power-line noise, but an update from
>Lyle about  three months ago changed this. The K3 now does a very good job.
>Of  course it has many more settings for the _two_ noise blankers (one in
> hardware, the other in DSP), and you have to play with it to get a  good
>feel for what is going on. I tend not to use the noise reduction,  and
>several other things simply because they require more thought  power than I
>am willing to give them on most days to figure them out.  In that vein, some
>time ago I was playing with the auto-notch function  on SSB (it works pretty
>well), then changed to CW. I couldn't  understand why I couldn't copy any CW
>signals for a little while. I  believe Wayne has fixed the software so it
>turns off the auto-notch in  CW. Better to actually hear CW signals that way.
>
> The K2 sat on my workbench for a while, but it was too lonely. So I  moved
>it back to the operating bench (where I do most of my  development work
>anyway) where it looks quite nice next to the K3. And  I actually use it from
>time to time (usually for testing KRC2 issues  and the like).
>
> By the way, I see I'm not the only one who tends to type two letters
> backwards once in a while. But really, did you have to bust your own  call?
>;-)
>
> 73!
>
> Jack Brindle, W6FB
>
>
> On Nov 4, 2009, at 11:39 AM, Gary D Krause wrote:
>
>> Why do you still have both?  The K2 is my main station rig.  I  
>> recently
>> considered buying a K3 and even went to the Elecraft web site to  
>> order it.
>> Each time I backed off so that I could think more about it.  In the  
>> end, I
>> decided to add a couple of options to my K2.  I could still order a  
>> K3 if I
>> want but, I'm afraid my K2 would just sit and gather dust.  I don't  
>> want to
>> sell it after spending all that time putting it together including the
>> options.  I see comments that the reciever is so much better on the K3
>> compared to the K2.  How much better?  I don't know of anyone that  
>> has a K3 to
>> listen to.  I've watched and listened to the Youtube videos but, the  
>> sound is
>> only as good as my pc speakers and the camera that recorded it so,  
>> that's not
>> much to go by.  The specs look better on the K3 compared to the K2  
>> but, not by
>> much.  For the kind of operating I do, the K2 is great.  The K3 is  
>> always
>> there in the back of my mind, though.  In some respects, the K3  
>> really sucks!
>> ;-)
>>
>> Gary, N7THS
>>
>>
>>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

john petters
In reply to this post by Gary D Krause


Gary D Krause wrote:
> Why do you still have both?  The K2 is my main station rig.
Hi Gary,
For CW there is not a lot of practical difference under normal
conditions. The K2 is streets ahead of most of the competition. I don't
do contests so that isn't an issue. However the K3 is way ahead of the
K2 on SSB. The DSP is really useful. I also use AM & FM which the K2
does not have. So you pays your money......
73
John Petters
www.traditional-jazz.com
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ>

>
>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Gary D Krause
In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
The K3 sucks because, it creates such a dilemma for me.  Should I buy one,
should I not and so on.  Those guys at Elecraft are pretty good at dangling
the carrot. ;-)

Gary, N7HTS


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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Ted Roycraft
Gary,

I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
is under active development and there seems to be something new every
couple of days.

73, Ted, W2ZK

Gary D Krause wrote:

> The K3 sucks because, it creates such a dilemma for me.  Should I buy one,
> should I not and so on.  Those guys at Elecraft are pretty good at dangling
> the carrot. ;-)
>
> Gary, N7HTS
>
>
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>  
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Pete Spotts
In reply to this post by Gary D Krause
On Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:39:51 -0700
"Gary D Krause" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Why do you still have both?  The K2 is my main station rig.  I
> recently considered buying a K3 and even went to the Elecraft web
> site to order it. Each time I backed off so that I could think more
> about it.  

>snip<

Hi Gary,

I'm still working on my KX-1, so I can't speak from direct experience
about the K2 or K3. But it seems to me the telling phrase in your post
is "for the kind of operating I do, the K2 is great." So the next
question might be: How strong are your urges to operate Amen, FM, and
digital? If they are not *that* strong, and the K2 is great for the
kind of operating you do, then it sounds like you're set. Put another
way, given the kind of operating you enjoy, what's the single biggest
improvement you could make to your station with $1,500 to $2,000
(rounded) to play with?

Just a thought...

With best regards,

Pete
--
Peter N. Spotts -- KC1JB
http://www.kc1jb.net (under construction)
Email: [hidden email] | Skype: pspotts
QRP-ARCI # 4174 | North American QRP CW Club # 2446
Flying Pigs QRP # 1983 | SKCC # 4853C | QCWA #34679

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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Jack Brindle
In reply to this post by Ted Roycraft
Ted;

I don't think that "the K2 has been capped" is all that accurate. The  
developer for the radio is awfully busy doing other things, but he has  
assured us the dream is still very much alive and the ideas are there!

Jack Brindle, W6FB

On Nov 4, 2009, at 12:46 PM, Ted Roycraft wrote:

> Gary,
>
> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't  
> expect
> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
> couple of days.
>
> 73, Ted, W2ZK
>
> Gary D Krause wrote:
>> The K3 sucks because, it creates such a dilemma for me.  Should I  
>> buy one,
>> should I not and so on.  Those guys at Elecraft are pretty good at  
>> dangling
>> the carrot. ;-)
>>
>> Gary, N7HTS
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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>>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Ted Roycraft
Jack,


On 10/15/2009, Wayne Burdick had this exchange on this reflector under
the subject line: "has the k2 a future".  It sounds capped to me.

Ted, W2ZK

=====================================================================
Michael van Hauten wrote:


> > Dear elecraft -team,
> > during the last 2 years all new modules and software updates had  
> > been designed for the K3. Is the K2 out of the focus or is there a  
> > chance for all the K2 users to get new modules and upgrades in the  
> > future ?
>  

The K2 is a very mature product, and I don't anticipate adding further  
internal modules to it. I've thought about a Li-Ion battery as a  
replacement for the present gel-cell, but it's still too expensive and  
is thus left as an exercise for the reader.

The P3 should work with the K2, though less tightly integrated than  
with the K3. If that pans out, we'll post details later.

We have no plans to phase out the K2, which is still going strong  
after 10 years (for which we thank our customers!).

73,
Wayne
N6KR
=====================================================================


Jack Brindle wrote:

> Ted;
>
> I don't think that "the K2 has been capped" is all that accurate. The
> developer for the radio is awfully busy doing other things, but he has
> assured us the dream is still very much alive and the ideas are there!
>
> Jack Brindle, W6FB
>
> On Nov 4, 2009, at 12:46 PM, Ted Roycraft wrote:
>
>> Gary,
>>
>> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
>> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
>> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
>> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
>> couple of days.
>>
>> 73, Ted, W2ZK
>>
>> Gary D Krause wrote:
>>> The K3 sucks because, it creates such a dilemma for me.  Should I
>>> buy one,
>>> should I not and so on.  Those guys at Elecraft are pretty good at
>>> dangling
>>> the carrot. ;-)
>>>
>>> Gary, N7HTS
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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>
>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

PA3CW
I have both K2 and K3. Although the K3 is my main station i am not considering to sell my K2 at all. Like Julian said, it is a home build rig and I am proud to have it.  I once had a HW8 and sold it. Now feel sorry for doing so.  I think when i should sell my K2 i will regret it in the near future. So...I keep both.
Dick PA3CW


Ted Roycraft wrote
Jack,


On 10/15/2009, Wayne Burdick had this exchange on this reflector under
the subject line: "has the k2 a future".  It sounds capped to me.

Ted, W2ZK

=====================================================================
Michael van Hauten wrote:


> > Dear elecraft -team,
> > during the last 2 years all new modules and software updates had  
> > been designed for the K3. Is the K2 out of the focus or is there a  
> > chance for all the K2 users to get new modules and upgrades in the  
> > future ?
>  

The K2 is a very mature product, and I don't anticipate adding further  
internal modules to it. I've thought about a Li-Ion battery as a  
replacement for the present gel-cell, but it's still too expensive and  
is thus left as an exercise for the reader.

The P3 should work with the K2, though less tightly integrated than  
with the K3. If that pans out, we'll post details later.

We have no plans to phase out the K2, which is still going strong  
after 10 years (for which we thank our customers!).

73,
Wayne
N6KR
=====================================================================


Jack Brindle wrote:
> Ted;
>
> I don't think that "the K2 has been capped" is all that accurate. The
> developer for the radio is awfully busy doing other things, but he has
> assured us the dream is still very much alive and the ideas are there!
>
> Jack Brindle, W6FB
>
> On Nov 4, 2009, at 12:46 PM, Ted Roycraft wrote:
>
>> Gary,
>>
>> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
>> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
>> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
>> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
>> couple of days.
>>
>> 73, Ted, W2ZK
>>
>> Gary D Krause wrote:
>>> The K3 sucks because, it creates such a dilemma for me.  Should I
>>> buy one,
>>> should I not and so on.  Those guys at Elecraft are pretty good at
>>> dangling
>>> the carrot. ;-)
>>>
>>> Gary, N7HTS
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Ross Primrose N4RP
In reply to this post by Ted Roycraft
Ted Roycraft wrote:
> Gary,
>
> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
> couple of days.
>  
It's even more difficult to choose if you don't currently have either
one. If you want a full-featured rig, the K2 is no bargain in comparison
to the K3. To equip a K2 so it's nearly equivalent to the base K3, it
comes in at only about $140 less than the K3. Like to work 6m? That's
another $400. Oops, now your K2 is $250 more than a K3, and still
doesn't have as good a receiver, IF DSP, excellent digital mode
support... Want AM or FM support? Not there, or even available on the K2...

73, Ross N4RP

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

NZ0T
I built a K2/100 with every option except DSP and loved it.  I planned to keep next to my K3 forever but I found that I was using the K2 less and less and favoring the K3 so I finally sold it.  Wasn't easy as I had put so much into building it and the K2 is a great rig but it just didn't make sense to keep it if I wasn't using it.
73 Bill nz0t
Ross Primrose wrote
Ted Roycraft wrote:
> Gary,
>
> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
> couple of days.
>  
It's even more difficult to choose if you don't currently have either
one. If you want a full-featured rig, the K2 is no bargain in comparison
to the K3. To equip a K2 so it's nearly equivalent to the base K3, it
comes in at only about $140 less than the K3. Like to work 6m? That's
another $400. Oops, now your K2 is $250 more than a K3, and still
doesn't have as good a receiver, IF DSP, excellent digital mode
support... Want AM or FM support? Not there, or even available on the K2...

73, Ross N4RP

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Stephen  Prior
Much the same experience here.  As much as I loved the K2 it hardly got
used.  Tough decision but I sold it and it's enjoying a new life in VK land
(I'm rather envious in fact!).

73 Stephen G4SJP
K3, KX-1


On 04/11/2009 22:27, "NZ0T" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
I built a K2/100 with every option except DSP and loved it.  I planned
> to
keep next to my K3 forever but I found that I was using the K2 less and
> less
and favoring the K3 so I finally sold it.  Wasn't easy as I had put so
> much
into building it and the K2 is a great rig but it just didn't make sense
> to
keep it if I wasn't using it.
73 Bill nz0t

Ross Primrose wrote:

>
> Ted
> Roycraft wrote:
>> Gary,
>>
>> I have both also and pretty much agree with
> what has been said.  The
>> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been
> capped and you can't expect
>> much if anything in the way of new features
> from Elecraft while the K3
>> is under active development and there seems to
> be something new every
>> couple of days.
>>  
> It's even more difficult to
> choose if you don't currently have either
> one. If you want a full-featured
> rig, the K2 is no bargain in comparison
> to the K3. To equip a K2 so it's
> nearly equivalent to the base K3, it
> comes in at only about $140 less than
> the K3. Like to work 6m? That's
> another $400. Oops, now your K2 is $250
> more than a K3, and still
> doesn't have as good a receiver, IF DSP,
> excellent digital mode
> support... Want AM or FM support? Not there, or even
> available on the
> K2...
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>
> --
> FCC Section 97.313(a)
> ³At all times, an amateur station must use the
> minimum transmitter power
> necessary to carry out the desired
> communications.²
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft
> mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list:
> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

--
View this message in context:
> http://n2.nabble.com/To-those-that-have-the-K2-and-K3-tp3947624p3948743.html
S
> ent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at
> Nabble.com.
______________________________________________________________
Ele
> craft mailing list
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

Bruce McLaughlin-2
In reply to this post by NZ0T
I have a K2/100 and 2 K3s.  They each have their place.  I think it's a mistake to compare the two different radios because they were obviously intended for very different purposes.  If I wanted a very portable CW rig which still offers me up to 100 W when needed and which also has some SSB capability, I think the K2 is certainly the ticket.  But for kind contesting or serious DX chasing the K-3 is clearly the radio to use.  I wouldn't for the world think of trying to make the K2 into a K-3 equivalent.  It is what it is and what it does it does very well.  I think a person contemplating purchasing a radio now should decide whether they would appreciate the kit building experience.  I think there is something very satisfying in assembling a working radio from a large pile of parts.  Putting together a K-3 from populated circuit boards is simply not the same experience.  I know I purchased my K2/100 primarily for the kit building experience.  I knew going into it that it was not perhaps as full-featured as some other radios but that was not why I wanted to buy it.  I think I got what I was looking for.

Bruce-W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of NZ0T
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:27 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] To those that have the K2 and K3


I built a K2/100 with every option except DSP and loved it.  I planned to
keep next to my K3 forever but I found that I was using the K2 less and less
and favoring the K3 so I finally sold it.  Wasn't easy as I had put so much
into building it and the K2 is a great rig but it just didn't make sense to
keep it if I wasn't using it.
73 Bill nz0t

Ross Primrose wrote:

>
> Ted Roycraft wrote:
>> Gary,
>>
>> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
>> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
>> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
>> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
>> couple of days.
>>  
> It's even more difficult to choose if you don't currently have either
> one. If you want a full-featured rig, the K2 is no bargain in comparison
> to the K3. To equip a K2 so it's nearly equivalent to the base K3, it
> comes in at only about $140 less than the K3. Like to work 6m? That's
> another $400. Oops, now your K2 is $250 more than a K3, and still
> doesn't have as good a receiver, IF DSP, excellent digital mode
> support... Want AM or FM support? Not there, or even available on the
> K2...
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>
> --
> FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the
> minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired
> communications.”
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

--
View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/To-those-that-have-the-K2-and-K3-tp3947624p3948743.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: To those that have the K2 and K3

AD4C2009
My two cents to this endless topic.
I am one of the many owners of both the K3 and the K2 and when I got recently my K2 which is fully loaded with every single board Elecraft designed and built,I had them both side by side for a month testing them day and night using always same antennas switched back and forward with a A/B coaxial switch,and these were my results:
Sensitivity: both have equal sensitivity,both will be able to pull a weak station easily
Noise level: (noise floor): The K2 has less noise than the K3 in all bands.So its easier to pull weak stations from the noise than at the K3.Most of the times there is no need to use the NR at the K2 when at the K3 has to be used.
Selectivity:At the K2  Its hard to receive a weak station when at only 5Khz there is a strong one(on SSB)  but when using the K3 and the proper roofer with the DSP set to same BW is very easy to have a clean signal even at 2Khz away from the strong one.The ladder filter at the K2 at least for SSB is not enough selective even using the FL4 at 1.8Khz,,but nevertheless for CW it works terrific on selectivity in spite of its not better than the roofers at the K3.In CW my K2 at 400hz BW has a little bit of ringing noise but then the K3 even at 50Hz BW has none at all.
Audio quality:Even my K2 has the SSB board modified for 2.6Khz BW,its audio response is only from 180 to about 2800Hz,so its audio is not so wide as the one at the K3 that goes from 50 to 3800Hz,so when you want to hear AM broadcast or some of the guys who are transmitting ESSB,the K3 will not sound as pleasent as the K3 and after a while is tiring,I can be hours listening my K3 and will never be tired of it.
On TX same deal,the K2 even sound very good, is limited strictly to what is needed for two way audio comunications,but if you want to tailor your voice with any mic there is no way to do it,just try different mics until you find the one that fits better with your personal pitch,in my case I found the Kenwood MC-43S to be the best for my voice.At the K3 you can use any mic that the builtin 8 bands EQ will make it sound very good and your audio well balanced at wider BW.
Will I sell my K2 even is not so good as the K3? No way ! That's a keeper as much as the K3 is,but for not taking dust here at home,I have it now at my work shop to listen during my lunch time how  the bands are and the day I travel or go to a field day or a picnic,the K2 will be the designated one.
Both radios are different on design and use but both play high league.
73
 
AD4C
 


"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"


"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Thu, 11/5/09, Bruce McLaughlin <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: Bruce McLaughlin <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] To those that have the K2 and K3
To: "'NZ0T'" <[hidden email]>, [hidden email]
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:13 AM


I have a K2/100 and 2 K3s.  They each have their place.  I think it's a mistake to compare the two different radios because they were obviously intended for very different purposes.  If I wanted a very portable CW rig which still offers me up to 100 W when needed and which also has some SSB capability, I think the K2 is certainly the ticket.  But for kind contesting or serious DX chasing the K-3 is clearly the radio to use.  I wouldn't for the world think of trying to make the K2 into a K-3 equivalent.  It is what it is and what it does it does very well.  I think a person contemplating purchasing a radio now should decide whether they would appreciate the kit building experience.  I think there is something very satisfying in assembling a working radio from a large pile of parts.  Putting together a K-3 from populated circuit boards is simply not the same experience.  I know I purchased my K2/100 primarily for the kit building experience.  I
 knew going into it that it was not perhaps as full-featured as some other radios but that was not why I wanted to buy it.  I think I got what I was looking for.

Bruce-W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of NZ0T
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:27 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] To those that have the K2 and K3


I built a K2/100 with every option except DSP and loved it.  I planned to
keep next to my K3 forever but I found that I was using the K2 less and less
and favoring the K3 so I finally sold it.  Wasn't easy as I had put so much
into building it and the K2 is a great rig but it just didn't make sense to
keep it if I wasn't using it.
73 Bill nz0t

Ross Primrose wrote:

>
> Ted Roycraft wrote:
>> Gary,
>>
>> I have both also and pretty much agree with what has been said.  The
>> only thing I can add is that the K2 has been capped and you can't expect
>> much if anything in the way of new features from Elecraft while the K3
>> is under active development and there seems to be something new every
>> couple of days.
>>   
> It's even more difficult to choose if you don't currently have either
> one. If you want a full-featured rig, the K2 is no bargain in comparison
> to the K3. To equip a K2 so it's nearly equivalent to the base K3, it
> comes in at only about $140 less than the K3. Like to work 6m? That's
> another $400. Oops, now your K2 is $250 more than a K3, and still
> doesn't have as good a receiver, IF DSP, excellent digital mode
> support... Want AM or FM support? Not there, or even available on the
> K2...
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>
> --
> FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the
> minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired
> communications.”
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

--
View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/To-those-that-have-the-K2-and-K3-tp3947624p3948743.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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