Page 2 of The Elecraft K2/100 by Elecraft

bands, CW only, with RS-232 remote control. Accessory kits add 160 meters, SSB operation, receive audio filtering, real-time clock, and a noise blanker. The K2/100 provides all the basic features one would expect from a modern HF transceiver, such as 100 watt output on SSB and CW, direct frequency entry to 10 Hz resolution, band-stacking registers, dual-VFOs, full QSK, RIT/XIT, band scanning, direct frequency readout for transverters, selectable CW receive sideband, and an iambic type A or B keyer with multiple CW message memories. All this in a lightweight package that measures just 3.4" 7.9" 9.9". The Elecraft K2/100 is easily one of the smallest 100 watt HF transceivers to come along in some time. Its so small it should easily fit into almost any vehicle for mobile operation, although unlike some of the competition it doesnt have the option of separating the control panel from the transceiver itself for remote mounting. The K2/100 does not have an internal antenna tuner, as there simply isnt room for one. However, it does offer a unique feature. By removing the K2/100 top cover (which houses the 100 watt PA and RS-232 serial port) and replacing it with a K2 cover, the unit is converted to a 10 watt QRP transceiver. In the K2 top cover you can install an automatic tuner, a serial interface, and a 12 volt gel-cell battery. As a result, these two top covers allow you to change the radio from a QRO K2/100 to a QRP K2 just by removing and reinstalling six screws and plugging together a few connectors. No longer do you have to buy one radio for home/mobile use and another for backpacking. Now thats flexibility! If you are looking for gimmicks, you wont find them in the K2/100. This radio was designed to perform, not to dazzle you with bells and whistles you dont really need. Lest you believe that the K2/100 is just another medium-power transceiver, keep in mind that the radio employs a high-performance receiver that is easily one of the best in its class. Its noise floor, blocking dynamic range, third-order, two-tone dynamic range are superb. This translates into true contest-grade performance. One criticism of the K2/100 is that it lacks a few features that some amateurs may consider stock on a transceiver of its class, such as passband tuning and a notch filter. However, the K2/100 easily makes up for this by its overall receiver performance, and a form of fixed passband tuning is possible thanks to the flexibility of the K2/100s crystal-filter adjustments. K2/100 Construction One of the primary attributes of the Elecraft K2/100 is the fact that you build the radio yourself. To be sure, there is a bit of a time commitment associated with the purchase and construction of the transceiver, but this is a large part of its appeal to some amateurs. The manual and all associated documentation are excellent, easily as good as or better than Heathkit. The number of interconnecting wires has been kept to an absolute minimum in the K2/100, so the primary task during construction is stuffing the circuit boards. While there are a minimum of interconnecting wires, there is no shortage of toroidal inductors or transformers in this radio. While winding toroids is not particularly difficult, some consider this aspect of construction to be the least enjoyable. However, for a relatively small cost, you can purchase a Parameter Value Specification Comments MDS 3.75 MHz, Preamp Off -135 dBm -130 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 7.2 MHz, Preamp Off -135 dBm -130 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 14.2 MHz, Preamp Off -132 dBm -130 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 21.2 MHz, Preamp Off -134 dBm -130 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 28.5 MHz, Preamp Off -130 dBm -130 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 3.75 MHz, Preamp On -137 dBm -135 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 7.2 MHz, Preamp On -140 dBm -135 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 14.2 MHz, Preamp On -139 dBm -135 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 21.2 MHz, Preamp On -140 dBm -135 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW MDS 28.5 MHz, Preamp On -135 dBm -135 dBm Measured in 300 Hz BW CW Passband Bandwidth (700 Hz Filter selected -3 dB points) 300 Hz Not Specified Measured with preamp off CW Stopband Bandwidth (700 Hz Filter selected -60 dB points) 1210 Hz Not Specified Measured with preamp off SSB Passband Bandwidth (SSB OPT1, FL1 selected -3 dB points) 1120 Hz Not Specified Measured with preamp off SSB Stopband Bandwidth (SSB OPT1, FL1 selected -60 dB points) 3020 Hz Not Specified Measured with preamp off 3rd Order Intercept, Preamp Off +18 dBm +10 dBm Measured 14.06 MHz 3rd Order Intercept, Preamp On +0 dBm 0 to +7.5 dBm 1 Measured 14.06 MHz IF Rejection, Preamp On 90 dB Not Specified Measured at 7.2 MHz Image Rejection, Preamp On 88 dB Not Specified Measured at 7.2 MHz Output Power 100 watts 100 watts Meets spec. on all bands Carrier Suppression 45 dB 40 dB Worst case (20 M LSB) Opposite Sideband Suppression 62 dB Not Specified Spurious Suppression -44dBc -40 dBc or better -44 dBc represents worst-case spur on 10M Two-Tone Transmitter IMD (Measured relative to PEP) -30 dB Not Specified Measured at 14.2 MHz Harmonic Suppression -55 dBc -45 dBc or better RX-TX Switching Time 22 ms Not Specified T/R Delay set to 0.00, Key-down to 90% TX TX-RX Switching Time 50 ms Not Specified T/R Delay set to 0.00, Key-up to 90% RX 1 Third-order intercept (IP 3) specification varies by band. Table I- Elecraft K2/100 performance. Measured values vs. specifications.

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