a K3 owner's contest reflections on the K2

[DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL]

HI all:

Just finished the CQWW WPX cw contest.  Weird condx, but lots of fun.

I note lots of comments on the K2 of late (this weekend).....here are
my 2 cents (maybe a dime).

After having been plugged in for most of the weekend, here are my
take-aways (none of which are new).

1.  I own the "base" K2 with the 160m module.  So base price was under $650.

2.  You simply cannot buy any radio that performs this well under
harsh conditions for anywhere near this price...even used.  The
performance on the lows band is unsurpassed  for anything even double
or triple the price (probably a lot more).

3.  What's wrong with the K2 for cw contesting (IMHO)

A.  The QSK is almost worthless.  At the first setting above Ø.ØØ, you
just can't hear between the dits and dahs.  And at zero, it's too
noisy.

B.  Every time I change antennas (even on the same band), I have to
depress the TUNE button so that I can get "stable" qrp output (5
watts).  This is an extra step I did hundreds of time this weekend.
It is now 2nd nature, but a royal pain (yes, all my antenna are
resonant, but just not "the same" according to the K2.

C.  The AGC is not set up correctly.  Weak signals are, well, too weak
(audio) and strong signals blow my ears off.  The AF knob is my
friend...but I don't want it to be.



I don't use RIT/XIT in the contest (since I"m qrp, I don't "run"
much), so I don't miss the lack of the CLEAR button.  I use the
"400hz" filter (forget what it is exactly) and it is wide enough so I
can hear callers substantially off frequency without RIT'ing.  For my
style of contesting, I NEVER change the XFIL selection (good ears, I
guess).


Anyhow, all of the above are SUPPOSED TO BE addressed in the K3.  Hpe
to find out soon.

Anyhow, the K2 is a might fine contest radio for qrpers (it is not
IC7800 for those who like dual receive, a band scope, etc etc etc).  I
cannot think of a better radio VALUE for contesting.  This is
hands-down the clear winner, probably over the K3 also.  The K3 is
(hopefully) also a great VALUE for contesters, but the K2 is just
impossible to touch.

OH yeah....I worked 896 stations, 439 prefixes, and a claimed score of
991,262.  Not too shabby for a $600 box.

de Doug KR2Q
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[Bill Coleman-2]

On May 27, 2007, at 8:57 PM, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote:

> 3.  What's wrong with the K2 for cw contesting (IMHO)
>
> A.  The QSK is almost worthless.  At the first setting above Ø.ØØ, you
> just can't hear between the dits and dahs.

Depends on how fast you are sending. But, I agree, you really can't  
hear much between elements, only between characters and words.

> C.  The AGC is not set up correctly.  Weak signals are, well, too weak
> (audio) and strong signals blow my ears off.

Something is wrong with your K2. The K2 has, hands down, the best AGC  
action I have heard on any radio, bar none. It is very difficult to  
tell the very strongest signals from the weaker ones without looking  
at the S-meter.

Now, if you turn the AGC off, you'll get the effect of blowing your  
ears off.

> I don't use RIT/XIT in the contest (since I"m qrp, I don't "run"
> much), so I don't miss the lack of the CLEAR button.

With 100w, you can run a bit more. RIT is essential. Having to clear  
by turning a knob to a given position is a pain. I don't see much of  
any use for XIT, however.

> I use the
> "400hz" filter (forget what it is exactly) and it is wide enough so I
> can hear callers substantially off frequency without RIT'ing.  For my
> style of contesting, I NEVER change the XFIL selection (good ears, I
> guess).

I have my filters set up for 1000 Hz, 400 Hz, 160 Hz, and OP1. I  
usually tune the bands with the 1000 Hz setting. If the contest gets  
really crowded, 400 Hz does the trick. I also use some DSP filters  
along with the crystal.

> Anyhow, the K2 is a might fine contest radio for qrpers

Or even for Low Power or QRO use -- the K2/100.

> I
> cannot think of a better radio VALUE for contesting.  This is
> hands-down the clear winner, probably over the K3 also.  The K3 is
> (hopefully) also a great VALUE for contesters, but the K2 is just
> impossible to touch.

Likely. Still, I think the K3 is closer to the radio I want. When I  
get to the point I can afford one, I'll buy one.

> OH yeah....I worked 896 stations, 439 prefixes, and a claimed score of
> 991,262.  Not too shabby for a $600 box.

Good score!

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: [hidden email]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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