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Reviews For: Elecraft KRC2 Universal Band Decoder

Category: Antenna Switching, Phasing, Controllers

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Review Summary For : Elecraft KRC2 Universal Band Decoder
Reviews: 5MSRP: 159
Description:
The KRC2 is a universal, programmable station control unit that can switch any combination of antennas, filters, amplifiers, or other equipment. It supports analog, digital, and RS232 control inputs, so it's compatible with transceivers from Icom (voltage level), Yaesu (BCD and voltage level), and Kenwood (serial or BCD via logging program), as well as Elecraft's own K2 and K2/100. Four pushbuttons on the top of the unit can be used for various station switching functions.

The KRC2 includes decoded outputs for all HF bands (including WARC bands), three transverter bands, and general accessories. High-side (source) and low-side (sink) relay drivers are included. All signal lines are RF bypassed to eliminate RFI and noise pickup.

Packaged in an attractive, compact enclosure that is only 1.2 x 3.5 x 5.5 inches (3 x 9 x 14 cm), the KRC2 is styled to match the K2. The easy-to-build kit uses Elecraft's "no-wires" construction and is suitable for first-time kit builders.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.elecraft.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0054.6
W7GKM Rating: 2015-01-21
Icom - Elecraft interface Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The cable did not work with my IC-7600 at first but an e-mail to Phil resulted in an immediate return phone call. He told me that I had an incorrect menu setting on the Elecraft KPA-500 that was causing the problem. Cable works great now for all of the "old" standard bands. I would rate it a "5" except that it will not switch the KPA-500 to the WARC bands or to 6 meters. This is apparently a problem with the voltages supplied by the 7600 and those bands must be switched by the push buttons on the amplifier. Great service from Phil.
WA2TTP Rating: 2012-04-28
Great support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the KRC2 to use with my TS-480 so it could band switch my Ameritron ALS-600 amp and my antennas that I used on my remote internet station. I carefully assembled the kit per the instuction and was happy to see it come alive and pass it's initial check out. The problem I had was it wouldn't talk to my Kenwood TS-480. I had installed a required jumper to enable the comm port on the 480 but still no go. After serveral emails back and forth with Gary he suggested I check to make sure the RP-2 resistor pack was installed correctly. Well guess what I had put it in backwards! The step in the instructions were clear on how the part should be installed but I failed to read the entire step, I fixed that mistake and the unit came to life with the 480.

The bottom line is that Elcraft support is tops and so is there product. Thanks Gary.

Steve,
WA2TTP
K8IA Rating: 2007-11-14
Excellent unit but manual presently incomplete. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Kit went together easily. Instructions and errata were clear, concise and correct. The level of skill required is nominal yet it wont put a veteran kit builder to sleep.

My KRC2 checked out fine per the manual but would not read band data from XYL's TS-870S. After about a half dozen emails with Gary, AB7MY, of Elecraft he mentioned an essential jumper instruction that was left out of the manual, and necessary for TS-870S and maybe other Kenwoods as well.

To Elecraft's credit, Gary stayed with my problem and wouldnt quit until my unit was performing satisfactorily. Unfortunately, I cannot give the KRC2 a "5" rating until the essential jumpering is mentioned in the manual.
WB5OMP Rating: 2006-09-08
Great solution to following your frequency..... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having a solid state amplifier (Ten Tec 420)and a Kenwood radio (ts-480), I wanted to find a way to have the amp bandswitch with the radio, without using my computer. The KRC2 is the ticket. You can mix and match almost any radio/solid state amplifier, and they will track. Now if I change radios, not a problem to keep my HercII.
The KRC2 will take BCD, serial, or CI-V data input and provide source or sink outputs for amp switching,relay switching,filter switching,antenna switching you name it.
The documentation, circuit board, components and supplied hardware are supurb, a real pleasure to build. Have a question/problem, no problem, the tech support is outstanding.
Be aware, the KRC2 currently operates at 4800 baud only which may be a problem if used in conjunction with some CAT programs. Also a non identified 1k pullup resistor is required with Kenwood radios.
Meets my needs, and provides other options, makes me want to build a K2! Renewed my faith in American made products..
Steve WB5OMP
EI6IZ Rating: 2006-03-06
fantastic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I am surprised on one else has reviewed this useful and versatile little accessory yet.

I use it with my K2/100 to manage automatic antenna switching when changing bands. It also provides me with an easy one button push to select my separate receiving antennas on 160m and 80m

My configuration is not all that complex and this unit has quiet a few features that I haven't had occasion to use yet but it completely automates my antenna switching between 6 different antennas and it does this job just fine.