Page 3 of The Elecraft K2/100 by Elecraft

kit of pre-wound toroids from an Elecraft-approved independent vendor, which may prove to be a worthwhile expenditure. The K2/100 is a relatively complex kit, and it may prove to be a rather daunting experience for someone with very little kit-building experience. If you would like a K2/100 and cant (or dont want to) build it yourself, Elecraft has a list of amateurs who will build your radio for a nominal fee (Some folks just cant build enough kits.). Another option is to acquaint yourself with Elecraft kit building by constructing the lesscomplex K1 CW-only transceiver. On-Air Operation The K2/100 is a surprisingly versatile package for on-the-air operation. It supports all the popular operating modes (with the exception of FM), and it really excels in its support of CW. The radio supports a total of nine CW memories, and there is a Fast-Play option that you can turn on for contests. Fast-Play allows you to tap a single key to play a CW message, instead of the normal requirement of pressing two keys. During CW operation, the QSK is unusually smooth, with no evidence of audio clicks or pops, even at high power while copying weak signals. SSB operators will find that the audio compressor does a credible job of bringing the average power up while maintaining readability. The radio also supports a scanning feature for CW and SSB operators that is probably one of the most practical operating aids Ive ever come across. Unlike most scanning implementations that require a continuous carrier in order to lock, the scanner in the K2/100 ignores continuous signals and pauses for 25 seconds on keyed signals. This is an excellent tool for monitoring a band while handling other tasks. Data and RTTY operators havent been forgotten, as the radio supports a separate data mode which bypasses the audio compressor and allows custom setting of the IF filters. The K2/100 also supports a 4800-baud serial port, which can be used with any remote control/logging program that supports the Kenwood TS-570D command set. While the K2/100 isnt fully compatible with the Kenwood commands, there is sufficient support for most basic operation. Elecraft also has its own software called K2 Remote, which is available for free at its website. A unique aspect of K2 Remote is that you can use your PC as a CW keyboard. This, along with the scanning feature, would allow you to work on your PC, scan the CW portion of a band, and quickly call that rare DX station the K2/100 came across in the process. In the future, software will be available from Elecraft to support remote control over a 100/10baseT network. This connectivity could be used to support control of the radio over an 802.11 wireless networking link, allowing you to operate anywhere you have coverage from your home wireless network (WLAN). K2/100 Performance I ran the K2/100 through a number of parametric tests to validate basic receiver and transmitter performance. The results of this test suite are summarized in Table I. All in all, the K2/100 is a radio that will give you a sense of ownership that goes well beyond the norm. The pride associated with taking a box consisting of hundreds of parts and turning into one of the best-performing medium-power HF transceivers on the market today cant be explained easily. If you would like more information on the Elecraft K2/100, it can be obtained at the companys website: http://www. elecraft.com . SUBSCRIBE TO CQ Click on the links below for more information www.elecraft.com "Reprinted with permission from CQ magazine, November 2002 issue. (c) 2002 CQ Communications, Inc."

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