Buddy, thanks so much for the info on Elecraft equipment, details others
will have also appreciated, I'm sure. As much a cw man as ssb, I might well
look at the K2, assuming it to be entirely solid-state switching for
continuous break-in.

Again, many thanks.

Jerry, v e 3 q s o


----- Original Message -----
From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 7:29 PM
Subject: Re: audio readouts (cont'd)


> OK, here we go.
>
> While you might initially wonder at the K2's single conversion
> receiver, please be assured that this doesn't take away from its
> performance. What the K2 does, it does extremely well. Its receiver
> has been compared favorably to such high-end offerings as the Yaesu
> FT-1000 and Icom IC-756--and Ten-Tec Omni VI and Orion, at
> considerably less money.
>
> The base K2 is about 15 watts, cw only, 80-10 meters. The K2 does not
> have a general coverage receiver; it's ham bands only, but great for
> that. You can tailor it to your liking: there's an integrated 100-watt
> amplifier option, you can get a module to make the rig do SSB and
> digital modes. There's also a module for 160 meters plus separate
> receive antenna, a noise blanker option, you can have either an
> audio-based DSP or a straight audio filter for cw installed as
> well. The top cover of the K2 can be switched out for the 100-watt
> amp, or the 100-watt amp can be remotely mounted with the optional
> 100-watt automatic tuner, or you can have the external tuner by itself
> with the 100-watt amp mounted on the radio. In the QRP cover, you can
> have a 2.9-Amp/hour gel cell battery, low-power automatic tuner (with
> two antenna inputs), and a computer input. To use the KRC2 for audible
> morse readout, you'll need either the 100-watt amp (which has the
> computer interface) or the computer interface board. Or both, if you
> plan to take your K2 out and run it QRP and not take the amp.
>
> The K2 is fantastic: it hasa low current draw, excellent receiver
> performance, can do SSB and CW and digital modes. SSB audio is
> narrower than on some rigs, but it's optomized to get through and
> still sounds good. Actually, even without the KRC2, the K2 is pretty
> accessible anyway. I used mine for a while before the KRC2 was ready!
> But if you want a general coverage receiver, AM operation, FM
> operation, or gee-whiz bells and whistles, the K2 won't work for
> you. But if you want great performance, a quiet receiver that pulls
> signals out of the air and won't overload in the presence of other
> radios nearby, a reasonably uncluttered and easy-to-use interface
> (once you get the hang of it), and let's not forget supporting a
> company that has made a commitment to make their rigs accessible to
> us, do yourself a favor and buy a K2. Or a K2/100. I absolutely love
> operating mine, and I promise, it's really the cat's meow if you like
> to operate cw. If you have questions about it, ask me or Gary, and if
> we can't answer, Wayne and Eric are great guys and would be glad to
> show off their baby.
>
> Vy 73, and welcome back to the hobby.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Help us bring our child home! Visit http://ouradoption.brannan.name to
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