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write your own review of the Elecraft K2.
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DF1OE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 30, 2011 03:30
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Fun, Fun, Fun
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I made my K2 #6479 between the years 2008 and 2011. I had not the time i wanted for it but finally now i am enjoying a real cool radio. At this time it is a cw-only radio but i am completing it with some more stuff, e.g. the internal antenna tuner and ssb option.
I am very yery lucky with the little rig. you can get some pictures of it here: http://www.baerenfunk.de
Even i compared it with some other Amateur Radios. First with the old Kenwood TS-50 S. I like old radios, because they have no stacked Menues and just a few buttons and knobs. So, not surprisingly the K2 outperforms the TS-50 S.
Comparing it with a Kenwood TS850-S on a 3el Yagi 12 Meters up - the TS 850S shows me a bit more noise than the K2 does. The K2 shows no problem in working dx with about 10-15 Watts. I think i will get the 100 W amplifier and will put it with the tuner into a second case. Then probably sell the 850, hi.
I tried today a harder Comparison with some actual gear: Compared it with my Yaesu FT897. Antenna situation: In the center at the city of Hannover, Germany with a dipol antenna on 14 MHz. You get a lot of man-made Noise there with the FT 897 - the S-Meter shows a permanent 57-8 reading at the ground floor. The K2 was very calm (noise about 51-2) and i tried to focus on some weak signals with ist. The same Signals could be heard with the FT897, but the K2 outperforns it with its vy good signal-noise ratio. With the FT897 i heard the signal within the noise, but the K2 gives me a signal clear above the noise. And it shows more weak signals than the FT879.
Ok. I had fun building it, i have fun using it, and will have fun completing it.
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KC8LTL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 16, 2011 16:31
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Best in Class of QRP radios
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I made K2 2030 back in May 2001 and it converted me from a 100W operator who liked to sometimes try QRP into a QRP operator who sometimes will turn up the power. This is the initial product of Elecraft, and it is certainly Elegant Crafting.
RX wise it is a reminder of how clean a single conversion superhet can be. It DOES sacrifice general coverage in order to focus on the Ham bands, but that is where I want to use it. To keep price and parts count down, it uses an adjustable crystal filter, which you can set at different filter widths. This works rather well, but when you switch filters, the signals do shift around a bit. In addition, the shape factor for this filter is not a brick wall. Even the special fixed SSB filter that comes with the SSB option has significant ripple and not the steepest skirts. That said, what it DOES give is excellent close in signal handling - in effect you hear a very small bit of other signals at the appropriate pitch instead of those unheard signals blanking your receiver like they do in many other radios.
On the TX side, it gives more than the full QRP gallon. On CW this power level is often enough for me to work what I can hear. In addition, the QSK works so smoothly you don't notice it, which makes an easy operator experience.
SSB is a different story. While the K2 does have an effective speech processor, there are certainly conditions where you would want more power. But we are rating this as a QRP radio, and I know of no other QRP radio that does as well.
As far as alignment goes, you CAN align it yourself with just a common VOM. It works. If you are REALLY patient, you can get it really close to frequency standards of WWV. But it does drift a bit - you will not win any frequency measuring tests with this rig. On the other hand, it drifts much less than my old TS-520 did. It is much more than usable for CW and SSB operation.
The Basic K2 is 10-80M, CW only. Anything else you want, you have to pay for in the form of additional modules, letting you pay only for the features you want. With the exception of the Real Time Clock, they options I have used have worked quite well. The ATU, in particular, is excellent. I am spoiled by the way it loads up practically anything and remembers settings so when you change bands it instantly tunes it up from remembered settings.
In particular, I have enjoyed the portability of the K2. With the internal battery I can throw a hunk of wire up in the trees or out the window and get on the air from anywhere without needing to plug in for hours. Admittedly there are better "backpacker" radios that will go for days, but that isn't my style of operating. But it works great from a picnic table.
In conclusion I have been a very happy owner of the K2 for almost ten years. It just simply works.
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VE3WDM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2010 09:39
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Very good radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Well before I ordered the K2 I had tackled the KX1 and was successful so I thought lets give the K2 a shot. When it arrived and I sorted the parts sure did seem like I was never going to see the end of the build. It is hard to describe when you finish a section test the radio and it works as it should!!! Having said that there were sections when the check out came and things did not work out as planned. This brings me to the support. The folks at Elecraft are out of this world with getting the build back on track and solving any troubles. There is a great email reflector as well. Anyone who has built an elecraft product and needed the reflector for help knows Don Wilhelm and all his helpful guidance. (thanks Don) Those of you considering an Elecraft product will meet Don I'm sure on the reflector along with all the other hams who are more than willing to aid you with patient advice. As for my K2 build it was sad to see it end but then it was great to get on the rig and be making contacts. Sure you hear about the toroid winding....it's really not that bad. There are ones you can purchase that are already wound as well. The step by step instructions are clear and if you are a visual guy like me there are some great sites on the internet were hams have posts pics of the build.
The final alignment of the radio I did not do myself, not that I couldn't but I was putting long hours in at work and just did not have the time.
So the rig is done and on the air and works great the DSP filter is well worth the money and works FB.
So over all it's a great rig, take your time with the build enjoy it realize there are going to be hick ups but take them as a learning curve.
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W1XV
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Rating: 5/5
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May 7, 2010 18:15
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Best QRP rig ever
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This K2/10 has to be the best "best bang for the buck" on the market today. No I didn't build it but had it constructed by a professional with over 30 years experience with the US gov't. It hears almost as well a my K3. I added the ATU, 160 meter, SSB and audio filter options. I've yet to have a problem with this rig having a serial number of just under 5000. It's very intuitive to use and the learning curve is a snap. I've broken pile-ups with this little gem running 5 watts or less to a Carolina Windom. The K2 is simply a pleasure to use and generally one can work anything heard....especially in a contest. It's a CW op's dream QRP xcvr!!! Thanks Elecraft for a great product that is over 10 years old and still is better than many receivers recently introduced.
So much for being obsolete!!
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WA6MOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2010 10:58
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Used, A Very Good Value
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I wrote a review on my first K2 some time back. I acquired this one on the used market at a great price. It is an early model with a 1500 serial number. I am always trying different gear, both QRP and QRO and have owned many, many rigs. Since I did not build this rig, I am not persoanlly attached and do not have that feeling of accomplishment. Mine is lacking DSP and it is kind of a bare bones rig although it has some options. The K2 looks a little dated in appearance at this point in time. On the used market they now make a lot of sense. For about $550 to $800 bucks you get a very competent QRP rig with a wonderful receiver, even without DSP. Here is what I like about this radio; the size. I found the FT-817 too small although that rig is another great value. QSK, about the best I have ever used. 10 to 15 watts out allows me to work anything I can hear. 5 watts is great for portable with the internal battery. The receiver has a very low noise floor without DSP. I think I will being keeping this old K2 for a long time as it really is fine little rig.
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K9YEQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2009 20:17
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Great Building and performing radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Super radio, portable and can be configured to be totally self contained for portable operation.
I have owned three of these including being an original tester (#35). This radio has many options which make it perfect for QRP and travel. I love QRP but also do a little QRO 1.5KW after-burner with my K3. The K2 has its own niche; and owns it! I will always have a K2 fully loaded for travel portable and use in the shack. The quality of the reciever, including the DSP accessory and internal tuner and battery power, make it the lightest and highest quality portable radio available for me and I checked out all the other "stuff". The receiver is fabulous!
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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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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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