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philosophical discussion

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Rob Carter

philosophical discussion

Hi,
Have been following some of the discussions here with interest. Thanks for the friendly and positive way you deal with topics of all sorts.
First of all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the team at Elecraft and any every one else in the group.

My interest in Ham Radio is varied. I like the K2 for it's frugal use of DC power. I use radios in a portable realm sometimes, in the motorhome, at ILLW and Field Days.. . of course they sometimes get plugged in at home as well lol. Mainly SSB, but my CW is improving.
So like all i seek the ideal radio... a go anywhere, yet still sophisticated enough to work as a base radio.
A good Rx is important to me. It needs to sound smooth to the ear for extended use. The radio also needs to be stable enough for data use

Currently running a FT897 as a utility radio and an old IC 740 as a field day or ILLW radio.
The cool features and portability of the 897 are great and the Rx performance of the old Icom seem to be great for ILLW and Field Days, well here in New Zealand anyway, lol.
Have thought to upgrade to a more highly spec portable QRP radio that can be used with an amplifier on base or in the motorhome and of course stand alone in the field.

So my question is... i guess... does anyone use a K2 or K3 in a Motorhome (is that an RV in your language)?
Is it tough enough for the mobile environment?

Do people use the K2 or K3 as a Field Day station or Dxpedition radio?

Is a K2 suitable for use on a base station with usual long wire or yagi antennae?

I know some of this topic has already appeared in various magazines etc, but would value your insights. Your time is valuable, but if you could spare me a couple of lines re your experiences with using the radios that would be great.
Thanks
Rob

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: philosophical discussion

Rob,

Yes, several K2s can be found in motorhomes, I know of at least one that
is on a sailboat, and one that I built for a fellow lived in an 18 wheel
truck for several years, and there have been many that have been taken
on DXpeditions, and many others have been used at Field Day sites.
K3s can be found in similar locations too.
It amazes me how many hams tend to think of radios as fragile - most of
that went away with the advent of all solid state equipment. Those
vacuum tubes were fragile, but solid state gear is quite hardy and will
take quite a shock without damage as long as the enclosure is intact.
The most probable damage points are the front panel controls connected
to knobs and any connectors sticking out of the rear panel.

The Elecraft tuners for the K1, K2 and K3 are of the L network type and
have a large tuning range (the KX1 is limited by its small physical
size). They will tune a wide range of 'normal' antennas. Like most
tuners, they do have trouble with very high impedances such as an end
fed Half Wave Dipole.

73,
Don W3FPR

Rob Carter wrote:

> So my question is... i guess... does anyone use a K2 or K3 in a Motorhome (is that an RV in your language)?
> Is it tough enough for the mobile environment?
>
> Do people use the K2 or K3 as a Field Day station or Dxpedition radio?
>
> Is a K2 suitable for use on a base station with usual long wire or yagi antennae?
>
> I know some of this topic has already appeared in various magazines etc, but would value your insights. Your time is valuable, but if you could spare me a couple of lines re your experiences with using the radios that would be great.
> Thanks
> Rob
>
>

AD4C2009

Re: philosophical discussion

K2 should be a very nice radio to use it as a mobile station in any vehicle because of its very low noise receiver but the problem comes with its size,unless you have an 18 wheeler or maybe in some motorhomes where there is big space available you will not be able to install it.It don't have a detachable panel to use it as remore installation like the kenwood 480,or Icoms 7000 so that makes it more difficult,I have been thinking to install it on my SUV but then I will have to build a custom made mount to put it in front of my dashboard.Its tempting to have such a good radio and not been able to use it as a mobile unit.

AD4C

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

--- On Mon, 12/28/09, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] philosophical discussion
To: "Rob Carter" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, December 28, 2009, 3:13 PM

Rob,

Yes, several K2s can be found in motorhomes, I know of at least one that
is on a sailboat, and one that I built for a fellow lived in an 18 wheel
truck for several years, and there have been many that have been taken
on DXpeditions, and many others have been used at Field Day sites.
K3s can be found in similar locations too.
It amazes me how many hams tend to think of radios as fragile - most of
that went away with the advent of all solid state equipment. Those
vacuum tubes were fragile, but solid state gear is quite hardy and will
take quite a shock without damage as long as the enclosure is intact.
The most probable damage points are the front panel controls connected
to knobs and any connectors sticking out of the rear panel.

The Elecraft tuners for the K1, K2 and K3 are of the L network type and
have a large tuning range (the KX1 is limited by its small physical
size). They will tune a wide range of 'normal' antennas. Like most
tuners, they do have trouble with very high impedances such as an end
fed Half Wave Dipole.

73,
Don W3FPR

Rob Carter wrote:

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w7aqk

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by Rob Carter

Rob and All,

I think most of your questions have already been very effectively addressed
by Don Wilhelm. I would add my concurrence with all that he said based on
my use of both a K2 and K3 in situations you describe.

I have a motorhome that I use extensively during summer months, and I even
picked up a 2nd K2 specifically to keep in that RV. It works very well in
that type of situation since it has a small footprint, and lots of
flexibility. My K2 is the QRP version, and I also have a small THP HL50B
amp which gives me the ability to add a little punch when necessary. I can
cover all the HF bands, and operate both CW and SSB with it, although CW is
my primary mode.

I also have a small travel trailer that I use for outings with some other
ham friends here locally. We go out several times a year to various camping
locations, and usually my K2 is what I bring along. I've taken the K3
several times, but I like the lower power consumption of the K2.

My favorite operating event is Field Day, which I usually participate in
running QRP. The K2 is nearly perfect for that--a very competent radio, and
low power consumption. I'm not a serious contester, however, but if I was I
would take the K3 instead. The K3 isn't that much bigger, and it is very
portable. Obviously, it is an even more competent and versatile radio, but
it can almost be overkill in many of the situations I use a radio for while
camping. Having the luxury of chosing between the two types is very nice,
but I wouldn't hesitate to take either one on just about any outing.

Both the K2 and K3 have very good ATU options (much better than most
internal ATU's I've had in other radios). However, as Don points out, they
can struggle with some types of antennas like end fed half waves. I always
take a small MFJ tuner for that reason, as I do use a wide variety of
antenna types depending on my location. More often than not, the internal
ATU will handle things just fine, but it helps to be prepared for unusual
circumstances.

I've operated CW mobile for years, going back to when I first bought a
Ten-Tec Argonaut 505. The K2 has seen some use in that fashion as well, and
works great. Newer radios, like the TS-480, work better for that type of
operating though, since they have removable heads which makes it much more
convenient. However, the K2 has a better receiver! By the way, the TS-480
is, hands down, a better radio than the FT-897 except the 480 doesn't have
VHF/UHF.

So, the bottom line is you wouldn't regret buying either a K2 or K3. If
you can swing the K3, do it! If you only have one radio, that's the one you
want. You won't regret having a K2 in most cases, but the added features of
the K3 make it so much more fun to operate. Either radio will work very
well in all the situations you mention.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Carter" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, December 28, 2009 12:47 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] philosophical discussion

> Hi,
> Have been following some of the discussions here with interest. Thanks for
> the friendly and positive way you deal with topics of all sorts.
> First of all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the team at Elecraft
> and any every one else in the group.
>
> My interest in Ham Radio is varied. I like the K2 for it's frugal use of
> DC power. I use radios in a portable realm sometimes, in the motorhome, at
> ILLW and Field Days.. . of course they sometimes get plugged in at home as
> well lol. Mainly SSB, but my CW is improving.
> So like all i seek the ideal radio... a go anywhere, yet still
> sophisticated enough to work as a base radio.
> A good Rx is important to me. It needs to sound smooth to the ear for
> extended use. The radio also needs to be stable enough for data use
>
> Currently running a FT897 as a utility radio and an old IC 740 as a field
> day or ILLW radio.
> The cool features and portability of the 897 are great and the Rx
> performance of the old Icom seem to be great for ILLW and Field Days, well
> here in New Zealand anyway, lol.
> Have thought to upgrade to a more highly spec portable QRP radio that can
> be used with an amplifier on base or in the motorhome and of course stand
> alone in the field.
>
> So my question is... i guess... does anyone use a K2 or K3 in a Motorhome
> (is that an RV in your language)?
> Is it tough enough for the mobile environment?
>
> Do people use the K2 or K3 as a Field Day station or Dxpedition radio?
>
> Is a K2 suitable for use on a base station with usual long wire or yagi
> antennae?
>
> I know some of this topic has already appeared in various magazines etc,
> but would value your insights. Your time is valuable, but if you could
> spare me a couple of lines re your experiences with using the radios that
> would be great.
> Thanks
> Rob
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

TR K2 #838

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by AD4C2009

I drive a Miata and have no trouble mounting the K2.

http://w9iix.com/

is a wonderful mount just on the passenger side of the center
console, it bolts to the floor and can be attached and de-attached in
just a couple of minutes. When there is a passenger, it goes out,
the floormat goes down and you can't tell anything is installed, the
floor is flat. When it is in, the mount is sturdy and positioned
perfectly. A pleasure to mobile. Anyone who thinks a K2 can't be
installed in their car needs to check W9IXX !

TR, WB6TMY
K2 S/N 838

At 08:20 AM 12/28/2009 -0800, you wrote:

>K2 should be a very nice radio to use it as a mobile station in any
>vehicle because of its very low noise receiver but the problem comes
>with its size,unless you have an 18 wheeler or maybe in some
>motorhomes where there is big space available you will not be able
>to install it.It don't have a detachable panel to use it as remore
>installation like the kenwood 480,or Icoms 7000 so that makes it
>more difficult,I have been thinking to install it on my SUV but then
>I will have to build a custom made mount to put it in front of my
>dashboard.Its tempting to have such a good radio and not been able
>to use it as a mobile unit.
>
>AD4C

Rich Ardolino

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by AD4C2009

Hector,

There was at least one K2 that had a "custom" detachable
panel.....several years back I recall there was a teenager named Andrew
Meng who did just that ....here is a link to his K2 bicycle project:
http://www.qsl.net/n8mx/k2.html

72 & Regards,

Rich K2CPE
K2 #1102

Hector Padron wrote:
> K2 should be a very nice radio to use it as a mobile station in any vehicle because of its very low noise receiver but the problem comes with its size,unless you have an 18 wheeler or maybe in some motorhomes where there is big space available you will not be able to install it.It don't have a detachable panel to use it as remore installation.........................
>
>
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Mel

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

How about rugged. My buddy has a K2 on his ATV in a plastic bag on the saddle pouch. Gets a lot of banging around and keeps on ticking, hi.

Mel

--- On Mon, 12/28/09, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] philosophical discussion
To: "Rob Carter" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, December 28, 2009, 7:13 AM

Rob,

Yes, several K2s can be found in motorhomes, I know of at least one that
is on a sailboat, and one that I built for a fellow lived in an 18 wheel
truck for several years, and there have been many that have been taken
on DXpeditions, and many others have been used at Field Day sites.
K3s can be found in similar locations too.
It amazes me how many hams tend to think of radios as fragile - most of
that went away with the advent of all solid state equipment. Those
vacuum tubes were fragile, but solid state gear is quite hardy and will
take quite a shock without damage as long as the enclosure is intact.
The most probable damage points are the front panel controls connected
to knobs and any connectors sticking out of the rear panel.

The Elecraft tuners for the K1, K2 and K3 are of the L network type and
have a large tuning range (the KX1 is limited by its small physical
size). They will tune a wide range of 'normal' antennas. Like most
tuners, they do have trouble with very high impedances such as an end
fed Half Wave Dipole.

73,
Don W3FPR

Rob Carter wrote:

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by TR K2 #838

I drive a Mazda MX6, and usually have a passenger - any other
suggestions? I have even tried to find a place for the front panel of
my Yaesu FT-900 but have given up. I do not want it in my line of
vision above the dashboard.

73,
Don W3FPR

W B Reese wrote:

> I drive a Miata and have no trouble mounting the K2.
>
> http://w9iix.com/
>
> is a wonderful mount just on the passenger side of the center
> console, it bolts to the floor and can be attached and de-attached in
> just a couple of minutes. When there is a passenger, it goes out,
> the floormat goes down and you can't tell anything is installed, the
> floor is flat. When it is in, the mount is sturdy and positioned
> perfectly. A pleasure to mobile. Anyone who thinks a K2 can't be
> installed in their car needs to check W9IXX !
>
> TR, WB6TMY
> K2 S/N 838
>
>
>

Rob Carter

Re: philosophical discussion

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Hello Don,
Thank you for the reply. Thank you to the others who also replied to me with
info and links.
Have a lot of things to think over :) Could the gentleman in VK3 or VK4
(RFenabled)who emailed me please resend your email address so i can respond
to you please... i seem to have lost your email from the system here whilst
i was formulating a reply... oops !
Don, thanks for the construction comments. The roads in NZ are a little
rough on vehicles and equipment :) We tend to look after the motorhome so
hopefully all will be well with the electronics inside.
>From some of the comments made to me it seems i should at least consider
expanding my horizons to the K3. Great to share in the passion people have
for the Elecraft products :)
Thanks again to all for the very useful comments, pictures and links.
Regards
Rob ZL2IW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "Rob Carter" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 4:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] philosophical discussion

> Rob,
>
> Yes, several K2s can be found in motorhomes, I know of at least one that
> is on a sailboat, and one that I built for a fellow lived in an 18 wheel
> truck for several years, and there have been many that have been taken
> on DXpeditions, and many others have been used at Field Day sites.
> K3s can be found in similar locations too.
> It amazes me how many hams tend to think of radios as fragile - most of
> that went away with the advent of all solid state equipment. Those
> vacuum tubes were fragile, but solid state gear is quite hardy and will
> take quite a shock without damage as long as the enclosure is intact.
> The most probable damage points are the front panel controls connected
> to knobs and any connectors sticking out of the rear panel.
>
> The Elecraft tuners for the K1, K2 and K3 are of the L network type and
> have a large tuning range (the KX1 is limited by its small physical
> size). They will tune a wide range of 'normal' antennas. Like most
> tuners, they do have trouble with very high impedances such as an end
> fed Half Wave Dipole.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Rob Carter wrote:
>> So my question is... i guess... does anyone use a K2 or K3 in a Motorhome
>> (is that an RV in your language)?
>> Is it tough enough for the mobile environment?
>>
>> Do people use the K2 or K3 as a Field Day station or Dxpedition radio?
>>
>> Is a K2 suitable for use on a base station with usual long wire or yagi
>> antennae?
>>
>> I know some of this topic has already appeared in various magazines etc,
>> but would value your insights. Your time is valuable, but if you could
>> spare me a couple of lines re your experiences with using the radios that
>> would be great.
>> Thanks
>> Rob
>>
>>

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