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write your own review of the Elecraft K2.
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WA2DTW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2009 12:56
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Exceeds all expectations
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Recently finished building K2 SN6679. Took me a while, but was a real learning experience. I used the Rework Eliminators, which really saved a great deal of trouble when I added the options for 160M, Audio filter, 60M, SSB and noise blanker, since I had a working rig all throughout, and didn't have to tear the K2 apart every time I added something.
The rig is outstanding. Immediately impressed with how hot the receiver is. And it is a joy to work Eastern Europe on 40M when running only 10 watts, battery powered.
The menu is much less complicated than the FT817 and is easy to learn. The selectivity on CW is excellent and the QSK is very smooth. I have gotten very good audio reports when on SSB.
Will write another report when I have a functioning 100 watt amplifier. But the K2 10 watt verson is a joy.
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WB4TJH
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2009 18:18
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Amazing receiver
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just picked up an absolutely mint K2, and I have to admit my amazement with the receiver performance. NEVER in my 38 years as a ham have I had a radio that would let me listen to a weak signal so close to a strong one like this one will. The sensitivity and selectivity are uncanny. The K2 is simply a dream come true. If the signal is there, you can hear it. Period. If you have not tried one of these little gems, you should. QRP CW just doesn't get any better than this.
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N2DTS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 19, 2009 18:04
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better than ever!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I received kit number 6673 on Thursday, the rig was done on Sunday, no issues or problems, no missing parts, some extra parts.
I built 6065 some time ago, and it seems both the rig and the assembly has been improved.
I dont know how they do it, zillions of parts, many VERY little, yet no missing parts...
Don,t attempt building one of these kits without a good lighted magnifier and a soldering station with a small tip.
Performance of the receiver is even better than I remember, which was fantastic.
This time I bothered to set up the RX for ssb, and was listening to weak signals on 20 meters, I could copy them on the K2, not on the 756 pro 3, they were in the pro 3 noise no matter what I did with the bandwidth or preamps...
On CW, nothing bests the K2 except the K3 I suspect.
Yes, the rig is small, the knobs are a bit close, its got some clunky control stuff with every button doing at least 2 things, but its really a fantastic radio to build and use.
I plan on getting some options, the 100watt amp and antenna tuner, and installing them in a cabinet together, and also the 20 watt built in tuner, the ssb option, and maybe others!
Who knows how long Elecraft is going to sell these kits as parts get phazed out to surface mount stuff, lets hope its a long time, but don,t miss out on being able to build one of these fine radios.
Brett
N2DTS
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K1DWZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 9, 2008 15:56
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Update
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is an update to my review of a couple of years ago. I purchased the rig already assembled with the SSB, battery,and ATU units in it. I built and installed the noise blanker and recently I built and installed the DSP unit. That unit makes a world of difference. The only other option I would have is the KIO2 option even though I am not a contester. In fact I am building it right now. I just like a full complement of options in my radio. The rig still works perfectly. I am using it with a vertical antenna. Of course the receiver is incredible and the 10 watts gets out very well.
The only problem now is that it is not getting as much use as before because I now have a K3
I would recommend the K2,new or pre-owned, to anyone looking for a quality, reliable, totally fun rig.
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WA6L
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2008 15:01
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The Ultimate QRP Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am currently the owner of my second K2. The first, which I built with the 100 watt option, was sold some time back to pay for a new K3.
I did not build my present K2, though I have added the DSP and KIO2 (computer control) options to it. This K2 is the QRP model and that is the way it will stay.
It is as a QRP rig that the K2 truly shines. Much has been written about the K2 receiver, and its quality and performance have been verified by third-party testers. Especially with the DSP option, there are times when the receiver is so quiet that you think something is wrong. Then suddenly you find a CW signal that just leaps out of the headset and you have another great QSO in the books.
The DSP option adds an entirely new dimension to the receiver. The performance is incredible and it is infinitely configurable. Without DSP the K2 is a great receiver. With it, you have a receiver that competes with the best rigs ever made.
It is also a phenomenal rig for remote operation. It fills that niche between a trail-friendly rig like the KX1 and a power-gobbling commercial HF rig. With a receive current of only 200 ma and transmit current of just over 2 amps, you can run it all day on a gel-cell and solar panel. Better yet, add the internal battery and leave your power supply or gel cell at home. To my knowledge, there is no other all-band radio out there that can compete with that power profile.
All the features that you might need are there. A built-in memory keyer, multiple frequency memories, a very nifty scan feature, and the best QSK I’ve ever used. There are also as many options as you want (or can afford) including SSB, 160 and 60 meter operation, a built-in antenna tuner and a noise blanker that actually works.
I would not write such a glowing review of the K2/100 high-power model. I think, having used one for years, that there are some compromises made to get that higher power level. However, the basic K2 is the absolute ultimate in QRP transceivers. It is a classic that will still be competitive and in demand 20 years from now.
73,
John, WA6L
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NU4B
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 16, 2008 07:08
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Great Experience
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just finished 1644 after shelving it for 8 years. There are many articles and even more reviews about this radio so no need to repeat all that and I certainly don't have the test equipment to do the measurements. But I do have a few things to comment on.
The kit is not particularly difficult to build, but there's alot there. And even more depending on the options you choose. So its important to take your time and not rush it. I think the manual is quite excellent. If you have a tendency to stray from instructions you might want to choose a manufactured rig or have someone build it for you. If you can't solder, once again you would probably not want to attempt this project. (There are several people that will build the rig for a small fee, or for free, if you have a disability that would prevent you from buildig the kit. More on the support group later.)
I did have a couple problems after I finished. One was a resistor that was way out. Replacing the resitor fixed that. The other was more difficult to find but an email to Elecraft support got a quick response that sent me in the right direction. I found the problem quickly after that. I might also mention the builder support group. I had a question on some updated firmware and posted a message. The same evening I received responses on the thread that clarified the firmware changes.
You really don't need much to get the rig going after its completed. Really just a DMM and a wattmeter. Another rig is helpful. (Obviously the more test equipment you have the better)
I've already made several contacts with it including several DX contacts. The options I have on it are the antenna tuner, the audio filter, and the noise blanker. The receiver is great, and I really enjoy the bandwidth filters. You can really hone in on a signal.
You really learn alot about the radio when you build it. One of the big benefits is the pride you get operating a radio you built. Another benefit is your able to work on it if something goes wrong. Currenty I'm bringing the rig "up to date" with the new firmware and changes that have been made during the last 8 years. I also have a couple more options I've built that I need to install.
Overall I have found the rig to be an excellent product. It has a ton of features and great company and user support. I'm not sure you can put a price on what you get out of building your own rig. Typically people look at building a kit as a cost saving option. I believe the experience you get is invaluable. One more thing I like is I can get the options I want and build the radio to suit my tastes. I guess I'm joining the list of thousands of satisfied customers as I hope to use this rig for years to come.
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K6WHP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2008 23:43
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An important point about building your own
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned #999 since around 2000 and love the rig to death. I had some small problems building the radio but there were due to my stupidity and NOTHING that could not be resolved by the on-line Elecraft techs and (literally) hundreds of fellow K-2 owners people who were just an e-mail away.
For example, during the checkout, my rig was not performing per the procedure. So, I decided to take a break, make a sandwich, and relax for a bit. Before the lunch break, I put an e-mail on the K-2 list server and figured I'd get an anwer in -- what -- a day or so?
I came back after one hour and there were no less than 5 responses including one from Gary Surrency of Elecraft who traced down the symptoms and pointed out the problem.
On another occasion, I had returned from the mountains here in Socal after working the AZ Scqrpions FYBO and noticed a "watery" sound in the receive signal. I sent an e-mail out again and got a response from Elecraft telling me to call them on Monday. (This was a Sunday afternoon, mind you. ) I did so and they said my edition had some bad crystals and they were sending out the new ones NO CHARGE.
So the bottom line is that, aside from a great radio, if you invest the time and effort in building one, you pretty much can kiss the outrageous service bills goodbye because of Elecraft and other builders' support.
..and if you think the K-2's board is crowded, I'd suggest not doing any SMD work.
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N2DTS
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 6, 2008 11:41
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Very good radio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I built #6065, I had no problems with it, I added the 100 watt amp, and the auto tuner.
I soon sold the 100 watt amp, as the basic K2 with the built in auto tuner is one slick package.
While the rig does everything well on CW, you might miss a few ssb features, you also might miss a few more buttons and knobs that would have eliminated some multi button pushes.
Its a trade off, more controls on a bigger radio, or less on a smaller radio.
They were VERY VERY good at making the radio do great things with a limited amount of controls.
It was great fun to build, and great fun to operate, the receiver worked better then the icom 756 pro, maybe not quite as well as the pro3, and the K2 lacks some nice (expensive) features on mega buck radios.
It also has a few design shortcuts mentioned here,
the odd noise it makes when tuning sometimes, the slight tone changes with filter changes, the hard to change CW pitch (filters need to be redone), the lack of a button for each band (you get up and down buttons), etc.
But YOU can build and fix (and modify) a K2, not sure you want to take the covers off the mega buck!
If you dont go nutz with the options, its inexpensive (very) for the fun you get out of it.
In raw receive performance, it beats radios selling for way more money.
I think its best as the basic 15 watt CW radio with the built in antenna tuner (2 ports) that remembers all the settings for each band.
I sold my K2 to put a deposit on a K3, but want to get another K2 and build it again, its just so slick. I just ordered a K1, the basic radio is cheap, I will review it after its done.
Brett
N2DTS
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KD0V
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 29, 2007 14:17
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Very Fine Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just over 12 months and 480 QSO's, I now feel qualified to review this very fine Radio. I only operate QRP CW with the K2, both from the base station and portable. The K2 rates a 7 out of 5, but you don't give that option.
I did have a few problems builting the K2, they were my fault. I have troubling reading instructions some times. The customer support was very good in helping me dignose the problems. As I have uncovered other self imposed problems they have been very helpful. The building instructions were much better than I remember Heatkit ever having.
The receiver is just out of this world. The filtering is excelent. I only have the standard filtering, so far, that is all that have been necessary. The skirts on the filters are very steep. The 700 HZ filter is sharper than most other 300 HZ filters and it gets better from there. The receiver is better than the very excellent Collins 75S-3B with all the filters and is also better than the TenTec Jupiter that I currently have.
The reports on the quality of the CW tone have always been excelent. The shape of the CW signal is such that it has much more punch than most QRO and QRP rigs.
QSO #6 with the K2 was with KH6X which was a very big surpise. He was checking on propagation into the midwest from Hawaii.
The K2 has far exceeded my expections. Keep up the great engineering Elecraft.
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N1CVX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 29, 2007 16:55
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Great - even its simplest form
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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What's sometimes lost on prospective buyers/builders is that, if you can reasonably solder and follow directions, you can build the K2 (I did - with only an AmQRP Tin Ear and a KX1 before it - and my K2 worked perfectly the first time). Sure, you'll need to be patient and to invest a reasonably amount of time - but if you do both, you'll be thrilled with your results.
Beyond that, what's sometimes forgotten is that even the basic radio, without any of the available options, is an incredible performer. Sensitivity is good, selectivity is incredible (stations sitting on top of each other can be completely separated with the included filters - one simply has to experience how good the built-in filtering is to appreciate it).
So, even investing the $629 or so the basic radio presently goes for, you'll be making a solid, long lasting investment in the hobby -- which you can add to or simply leave as is. Of course, you'll probably want to add the automatic internal tuner (would tune a wet string, I suspect) - and perhaps a replacement Yaesu FT-100 main VFO knob. ;)
Bottom line: even the most basic K2 compares very, very favorably with any "boat anchor" you might be considering. Plus, there are those bragging rights - and that famous Elecraft "mojo." ;)
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