EleCraft News

(11/19/01) EC1 Design Contest; Team Vertical uses all K2s in Jamaica for up-coming CQWW contest; WA3WSJ in VP5 with K2

To help stimulate the creative process, we'll be giving away three of our new EC1 project enclosures to those who submit the most interesting
suggested designs (concepts only--no schematics required). Here are the rules for the contest:

1. Design concepts submitted can be for virtually any ham-related application, but they must be compatible with the EC1 enclosure.
(See http://www.elecraft.com/EC1.htm for pictures and inside dimensions. The EC1 is the same size and color as the K1 transceiver.)

Designers are under no obligation or expectation to actually build the proposed projects.

2. Entries will ONLY be accepted in ELECTRONIC form (Microsoft Word, pdf, html, jpeg, gif, or some combination of these). Each entry must include at least a one-page description, as well as one or more sketches showing relevant detail (block diagram, panel layout, physical location of boards, etc.). But it's the idea that counts, not the implementation, so there's no need to provide formal documentation.

3. Entrants can submit more than one design, but no more than one EC1 enclosure will be awarded per person.

4. Entries must be sent (via e-mail) to contests@elecraft.com, no later than Sunday, December 31st, 2001.

5. The three winning designs will be announced before December 31st. Some or all designs submitted will then be posted on our web site. Judging will be done by Wayne Burdick (N6KR), Eric Swartz (WA6HHQ), Gary Surrency (AB7MY), Tom Hammond (N0SS), and Bob Friess (N6CM). (All of us are hopeless home-brew fanatics.)

6. All designs submitted will be considered public domain. We reserve the right to design similar products in the future.

We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

CQ WW CW 2001 from Jamaica Big Signal, QRP Power!

For this year's adventure we will try something different - QRP! Yes, after years of "Be loud or be hosed" (slang for “be loud or be embarrassingly defeated”) Team Vertical is going to try and set single band QRP records during the CQ WW CW Contest November 24 & 25, 2001. All stations will be using Elecraft K2 transceivers, and the antennas are the famous Force 12 vertical arrays used in past Team Vertical operations. Elecraft K2’s + Force 12 verticals = Big QRP Signals!

CQ WW CW Contest QRP single band entries:

10m = 6Y1A by K2KW

15m = 6Y9A by KE7X

20m = 6Y2A by N6XG

40m = 6Y4A by N6BT

80m = 6Y8A by W0YK

160m = 6Y0A (limited operating time)

Date: The group will arrive in Jamaica on November 20, 2001, and the first antenna to be installed will be the 6M antenna. We should be QRV on 6m by around 1500 GMT, Nov. 20. Then we will install the HF antennas over the next day or two. Departure will be on November 26, 2001.

Antennas: We will be using the famous Force 12 vertical arrays used on past Team Vertical operations. For more information about the antennas, visit: the Force 12 SVDA web page, and K2KW's vertical analysis page. QRP doesn’t have to be weak when you are using verticals on the ocean!

HF Equipment: Five Elecraft K2's all running 5 watts for HF.

VHF Equipment: On 6m, there will be a dedicated station: JST JRC-245 transceiver (possible 6m KW amp too)

Power Levels: All activity for contest and non-contest QSOs will be QRP. Exceptions are: 160m to Japan (outside the contest), and all 6m operations will use higher power.

Activity: Outside the contest look for activity on 6-160m with homecall/6Y5.

160m Operations: During the contest, K2KW will operate 160m when 10m closes down. Look for 6Y0A on 160m beginning around 0300-0400z the first night, and 0100z the second night. Outside the contest: the team will be active on 160m. We will look for Japan starting 1000z.

QRP Tactics: While our signal may be a bit weaker than normal, we can easily hear your QRP signals with our high performance antennas! If you can hear us, we should be able to hear you. If you can't break the pileup after a few calls, try moving your transmit frequency slightly higher or lower to gain our attention. If the pileup is too big, try calling us again in a few minutes when it might be easier to get through. Good luck, and CU on the bands!

Where to find us during the contest: We will be trying to run as often as possible, likely in the high part of the band to stay away from the big stations.

Hi all:
I'll be operating my K2 on Provo Island in the Turks and Caios Islands starting Thanksgiving night to the next Thursday. Outside the CQ WW CW Contest I'll op as VP5/WA3WSJ. I'll operate cw and PSK31 so I hope to see many QRPers on my screen! Inside the contest, I'll operate cw as VP5ED again with my K2. If you need VP5 qrp, give me a call. Take a look at my web site for additional information. I'll update it today. http://www.qsl.net/wa3wsj
72,
Ed, WA3WSJ

Elecraft's compact CW transceiver, the K1, just became a four-bander. In addition to the 2-band version, the rig is now available with a single band-switched module that covers 40, 30, 20, and either 17 or 15 meters. The 4-band module can also be ordered as an option (KFL1-4), so existing K1s can be easily upgraded.

No hardware or firmware changes are necessary to use the 4-band module. It's the same size as the 2-band unit, and the transceiver will recognize whether a 2- or 4-band module is installed. The K1's low current drain (about 55 mA on receive) is unchanged thanks to the use of latching relays for all band switching functions.

The 4-band module works with all K1 options, including the KAT1 automatic antenna tuner, KNB1 noise blanker, and KBT1 battery pack. With the internal ATU and battery installed, the 4-band K1 offers an unprecedented combination of features for field operation or travel, in
a package measuring only 2.2"H x 5.5"W x 5.7"D.

The 4-band module covers several of the most popular HF bands. 40 and 20 meters provide activity day and night, and are important for contests, Field Day, and QRP events. 30 meters has a small but active CW segment, and as a WARC band provides a "haven" from contests. The 4th band can be either 15 or 17 meters. 15 meters is a traditional low-noise, daylight DX band, and is very active during Field Day. 17 meters is another contest-free zone, and stays open a bit longer than 15 meters.

These are the only bands available for the 4-band unit. However, it only takes a couple of minutes to swap in a 2-band module, accommodating those who want 80 meter coverage or specific 2-band combinations.

The 4-band K1 (K1-4) is priced at $349. The 4-band option for existing K1s (KFL1-4) is $129. Both are available now. The prices for the original 2-band K1 and additional 2-band option modules remain unchanged at $279 and $59, respectively.

The KAF2 supplements the K2's crystal filters with effective, low-noise audio filtering. It also adds a real-time clock, allowing you to check the time or date with a tap of the K2's DISPLAY button (details below).

Audio Filter
The KAF2 includes a passive, balanced low-pass filter (LPF) that significantly attenuates splatter, carriers, and wideband I.F. noise above 3 kHz. It's especially useful on quiet bands, with the preamp off, or when using small, low-noise receiving antennas. It completely eliminates the hiss sometimes heard when using hi-fi headphones. The passband has very low ripple, so the filter has no impact on speech or data signals.

Also included is an active, two-stage, narrow band-pass filter for CW or data use. It can be used in conjunction with the K2's variable-bandwidth CW filter, providing a significant improvement in skirt selectivity and in noise reduction. The center frequency is tunable over the K2's entire 400-800 Hz CW offset/sidetone range. The -3 dB bandwidth of the cascaded filter sections is about 80 Hz, ideal for digging weak signals out of QRN or QRM, and the Q of both stages is low enough to avoid excessive ringing. The AFIL switch on the K2 front
panel turns the band-pass filter on or off.

Real-Time Clock (RTC)
The real-time clock displays 24-hour time, as well as both MM-DD-YY and DD-MM-YY date formats. Time and date can be easily set using the BAND+ and BAND- switches. The RTC is very convenient for field operation since it eliminates the need to bring a separate clock. The on-board lithium backup battery will power the clock for up to several years, and can be replaced by removing either the K2's top cover or left side panel.

Price and Availability
The KAF2 is priced at $69 and cis available now. Note: K2 firmware revision 2.01b or later is required to use the clock feature. If your firmware is older, you'll receive a free upgrade with purchase of the KAF2.

See our KAF2 Page for pictures and additional details.

For the past four years, we have done FD at Henry Coe State Park, south of San Jose, CA, and to the east of Morgan Hill. The first time we went up, the K2 was just a gleam in our eye and a sketch on the back of a log page. The next year, it was a rough draft--a heavily marked-up schematic, some color drawings. Last year we were ready to have some fun. With over 1000 K2s in the Field, and our newly shipping K1s, we did! But we always knew that the K2 was destined to be a real radio, and we're both looking forward to the yearly pilgrimage to Henry Coe. This year, with over 2,100 K2s and close to 1,000 K1s on the air, we expect to work a few of you...

With this in mind, we'd like to invite anyone who'd like to take a test drive on the K1 or K2, or just to visit, to join us for all or part of the FD weekend.

(4/19/01) New Summary of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from the Elecraft email list server

You can become famous! : Submit for Tech Notes (Technical design and debugging articles - both general in nature or Elecraft related and a Picture Gallery (pictures of your rigs, projects, shack, locations etc.) We plan to update these areas on our main web page at least monthly and will keep a history page of all past postings.

K1 (belonging to N2WG) with the Paddlette iambic paddle mounted to the KTS1 Tilt-Stand.

QST has just pre-released their review of the K1 Two-Band QRP kit. It can be read on their members only page (login and password required) at: http://www.arrl.org/members-only/prodrev/pdf/pr0103.pdf It will appear in the March, 2001 issue of QST.

K2 manuals and articles now translated into Spanish: Manuales y artículo de Elecraft en español, Traducidos por Paulí Nuñez, EA3BLQ Gracias Paulí ! See: http://www.elecraft.com/K2_Manual_Download_Page.htm

We have placed K2 and KAT2 manuals translated into Spanish by Pauli, EA3BLQ, on our manual download page. We have also included a recent CQ EA Magazine article on building the K2 also by Pauli. Thank you Pauli for your hard work!

Elecraft announces the release of the KAT1 Automatic Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) for the K1.

(Wayne has been having a blast using the KAT1 in his K1 this week while vacationing with his family in Iowa for Thanksgiving. He's already demonstrated it to several Iowa ham clubs. Listen for N6KR on 20M and 40M.)

The production PC boards for the KAT1 are scheduled to arrive 12/14 to 12/21. We expect to begin shipping KAT1s by 12/31.

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep the K2 as up to date as possible for all of our customers, we have released an upgrade to the K2’s main micro-controller, U6 on the control board. (The I/O controller, U1 on the RF board is not affected.) This upgrade adds new features to the K2's operation. None of these changes are required for proper operation of existing K2s.

There are two enhancements for use with the KAT2 internal automatic antenna tuner:

The K2 receiver and transmitter are now protected from damage due to large-signal transient events. If an extremely strong impulse or continuous signal appears at the antenna input in receive mode, the receive T-R switch path will be disabled. This occurs at about +33 dBm (2 watts) or higher. Causes of such signals include: static discharge; electrical noise from an antenna rotator; transmitters used in shared-antenna configurations; and coupling to antennas used by very high power stations, e.g. at Field Day sites. Breaking the receive path also prevents transmitter self-oscillation that could occur due to specific assembly errors or component failures.

From: Heidi.Pratsch@t-online.de
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2000 4:44 AM
To: radios@elecraft.com
Subject: Manual translations into German

Dear OMs,

Please tell your clients of German Language (i.e. Germans, Austrians, Swiss etc.) that not only the K2 manual is available as a translation to German but also a number of K2 module options.

The texts are available either via E-MAIL, DISK or PAPER. The older version Revision B is still available too.
Thank you so much

73 de DL9PR (member of DXCC, QCWA, OOTC etc.)

Hermann Pratsch
DL9PR
Bogenstr.1
D-82166 Graefelfing

Telephone: (089-) 85 420 31
Telefax: (089-) 85 420 32
E-MAIL: Heidi.Pratsch@t-online.de

Gang,

Speculation abounds as to the whether the K1 is actually in Field Test. Well, it's not. But, I was able to bribe Wayne with an invitation for a free lunch & have a peek inside his lab & recent K1 developments. I took a quick test-drive of the latest 'n greatest K1 on a pretty miserable day on 20m. Plenty of ear-grinding QRN and weak stations way down in the noise floor - a perfect day to test the K1's newly-refined RX filters. In a word - sweet! I was especially impressed at how little signal loss I experience when I tightened the filters all the way down. The K1 is starting to sound K2-like. Wayne confirms that he's already bagged serious K1-mojo-DX in the evening hours. But this isn't surprising news is it?

The real reason for my visit was to check-out what Wayne was using for an ATU - what sweet victory! He's become addicted to the KAT2 and I watched him run a virtual KAT1 demo using the ATU in his K2. Now, there is no such Elecraft product as a KAT1 - at least not yet! The Elecraft 'party line' is there may never be one. But that won't stop me from lobbying. I figure that after another 150 free-burrito lunches, Elecraft will surrender and simply offer a KAT1 to mate with the K1. We'll see.

On the TX side, Elecraft's already pronounced the K1 capable of well-exceeding the legal QRP limit on 40m - 15m. No word on 10m as of yet. Clearly, Eric's engineering influence is really starting to show in the TX arena - big power that you can roll down as needed. You'll love the K1's PA heat sink scheme, especially if you've fretted over the complex K2-PA sink scheme. The K1 PA sinks to the right side panel, in plain view, one screw - total cake-walk! Good job W&E!

So when will the Field Test start? Well... it sounds like no wine before it's time - but I'd say it's getting close to harvest time. Naturally, there's the usual pushups: manual/illustrations, components/vendors to
ramp-up and probably two board-turns before they go to final roll-out. And, no - I didn't get to work a single QSO on the little guy - no time. Perfectly OK. I was quite content to simply play with the KAT1 ATU ;)

OK, let's see... 150 burritos X $4.50 ea = WOW! I coulda' bought a Dentron ;)

Stay tuned,
Conrad Weiss - NN6CW

In addition to the previously-announced K1 bands (40 and 20 meters), we are now accepting new orders (or order changes) for 30 and 15 meters. We may offer additional bands in the future. We'll also provide information in the manual for those who wish to put the K1 on bands we don't offer yet, including 80 and 17 meters.

Transmitter output is specified at 5 W or higher on all bands. Typical maximum output is 6 to 8 watts with a 14 V supply, and 5 to 6 watts with a 12 V supply. Because we use a low-dropout 8 V regulator, stable operation down to as low as 8.5 V is possible at reduced power output. Output can be set individually on each band using the K1's built-in wattmeter.

NOTE: The K1 is intended as a dual-band radio, but changing the set of bands occasionally will be useful for some operators, e.g. for field trips. The two-band modules take a few minutes to swap out. They are held securely with three screws, and the VFO must be recalibrated on a per-band basis. Once the calibration numbers have been written down, they can be re-entered in a few seconds (VFO dial accuracy, once calibrated, is +/- 100 Hz.)

Randy Jobe, N9YAI, won the K2 Shirt / Hat Contest drawing. (He received a K1 gift certificate and a W6MMA PW-1 Antenna ( www.superantennas.com ). Randy, both will be in the mail to you this week.

Thanks again to everyone who helped out at the booth. You were GREAT! Without your help we certainly could not have kept our voices intact through the end of Dayton.

(5/16/00) Elecraft Announces the K1 Two-Band Transceiver; K1 shows at Dayton

We're pleased to introduce the Elecraft K1 Two-Band HF Transceiver. We will also be showing the K1 at our Dayton Booth #196 this week.

The K1 is a two-band, 5-watt CW transceiver kit. It's ideal for first-time builders, with our modular, "wireless" construction, all through-hole parts, and comprehensive assembly manual. But its small size (2.2"H x 5.2"W x 5.7"D), low current drain (under 50 mA), and wide range of features will appeal to those looking for a miniature, high-performance travel radio.

Standard features include:
- large, easy-to-read LCD
- RIT and XIT (receive and transmit incremental tuning)
- 10-turn coverage of each CW band (up to 150 kHz)
- stable, low-noise, analog VFO
- memory keyer w/auto-repeat; Iambic modes A and B; paddle reverse
- user-settable sidetone pitch (10-Hz steps) and volume
- smooth, diode-switched full break-in
- easy-to-use menu system for customization and calibration
- switchable AGC and attenuator
- built in wattmeter, freq. counter, and supply voltage monitor
- S/RF bar-graph display

Options include: noise blanker, additional 2-band filter boards, and our unique Ground-Mount Bracket for trail use (see below).

The K1 can be built for your choice of two HF bands, a big advantage over monoband rigs for either QRP or portable use. The standard configuration is 40 and 20 meters (*). Combined, these two popular bands offer day or night operation, and reliable world-wide communications at home or on the road. They're also the "big two" on Field Day and for QRP contests.
(*) Other bands to be announced.

The lightweight KTS1 Wide Range Tilt Stand provides both a convenient desk top viewing angle and converts the K1 into a "trail-friendly" radio, allowing stable operation on rough surfaces while positioning the front panel at the optimal viewing angle. It can also be used for mobile mounting, and packs neatly into a single 4" x 5.3" unit for travel. (Click here for a picture of the KTS1.)

The K1 is styled to match the K2, and features the same rugged, attractive, textured-finish cabinet. We hope you'll find the K1 an exciting addition to our product line!

The ARRL has just reviewed the IC-756 PRO in their June issue. We've added their test results to our comparison table. (Click Here) The K2 is still in good company!

If you do create a new shirt design please include a unique saying (such as 'Got Mojo?') and/or K2 pictures. (This is not a requirement - just a suggestion) We also suggest including any of the words Elecraft, K2 HF Transceiver kit etc. Humorous sayings, references to Mojo, references to www.elecraft.com etc. are all encouraged. Feel free to use any of the pictures on the Elecraft web site.

Based on your suggestions, we have updated the calculated costs for USA and California Priority Mail shipping used on our order form. It now calculates shipping costs in one pound increments and includes the lower shipping costs for destinations in California. This should result in lower charges for all USA shipments.

(3/29/00) NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT: EC2 Enclosure
We have had many requests for a custom enclosure the same size as the K2. We're pleased to announce that this product is now available: the Elecraft EC2.

The EC2 ($59.00) is painted to match the K2, and uses the same versatile, multi-panel construction. In addition to the cabinet itself, you can purchase a matching tilt stand (ETS2, $9.50) or use the supplied rubber feet. Either way, the EC2 can add a professional touch to your next project--antenna tuner, power supply, station control console, amplifier--you name it. We'll be offering additional EC-series enclosures in the future.

Click on the pictures below for larger views.

Please send us photos (digital or film) of your completed projects for our planned EC2 gallery. We have both always been serious home-brewers, and we want to see what you come up with! (In QRP contests, we reserve the right to use the K2 and claim the "home brew" credit :)

Yesterday Eric, WA6HHQ, appeared on the ZDTV "Call for Help" TV show to discuss getting internet email via ham radio. Of course he featured the K2.. ZDTV is available worldwide via Satellite (Direct TV, Dish Network and C-band) and is on many local cable systems.

The ZDTV folks have already built a web page with an article covering the interview and an internet video of the whole segment in either Real Player or Windows Media Player formats. (Both drivers can be downloaded there via a link.)

Go to the following address and click on the "Video" button on the right part way down the page.

http://www.zdnet.com/zdtv/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,3650,2471775,00.html

The only down side of doing live TV is that you can't take back your mistakes. Try to guess where we goofed up.

We were really impressed with live TV. Just before the show their teleprompters crashed and Leo did the whole thing ad-lib!

It was a lot of fun and based upon some of the email we've received it has already gotten several newbies interested in Ham Radio.

(3/12/00) K2 Now Customs Free in Germany, EU; German Translation of K2 Manual Available

Also, Peter, DL2FI, tells us that the K2 should also now be duty free for any EU country. Click here for information.

Rig Comparisons: We have updated our K2 to other rig comparison page with the latest ARRL data and additional rigs (TS-870, Pegasus DSP, IC-706MKII). We have also added some neat links to QST articles describing why these specification numbers are important and how they are measured. (Thanks W1RFI)

The ARRL has posted their review of the K2 at their ARRL Members Only Web site. You can read the .PDF formatted file by going to http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/0003069.pdf This file can be read by anyone. You do not need to be a member of the ARRL to download it.

Check out our Lab test numbers, especially the Ip3, Dynamic Range, BDR and MDS numbers. You won't be disappointed! Also, Tom, N0SS, gets a nice note in the article.

It looks like the Mojo is still with us!

Our KAT-2 ATU Field Test run is going well, with a number of our Field Tester's up and running within hours of receiving their building instructions via email! Here are some pictures from their ATUs in process.

We are happy to announce that Gary Surrency, AB7MY, has officially joined the Elecraft support team.

Gary has been an active contributor to the Elecraft list, QRP-L, NorCal20 design team and many other projects. His well thought out suggestions and technical discussions brought Gary to our attention.

Gary will be handling email support for Elecraft products along with Scott, Myself and Wayne. As always, please email support@elecraft.com and not our direct email addresses when first requesting help with your K2. (The support address serves as our main dispatch point for customer support and ensures we do not miss or lose any new support questions.) Once you have been contacted by one of us regarding your inquiry it is OK to reply to our direct address.

Gary will continue to contribute to the Elecraft list under his personal email account (@juno.com). He will be handling support from his Elecraft address.

Please join us in welcoming Gary aboard.

New email addresses - We've added the following email addresses to make it easier to reach us:

K2-ATU... first peek !!
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 01:20:09 -0800
From: radman@best.com

I've seen it work!

The K2 - ATU (model KAT2) - named after Wayne's two cats (kat 0.5 + kat 1.5) really exists. I was over at his lab yesterday and we ran the critter thru it's paces on 160-10m. The antenna of choice was naturally his random end-fed wire terminating into the giant redwood tree behind his lab.

Performance was impressive. We could auto-tune all bands to an impressive 1.x : 1 using <gasp!> Wayne's microphone cord as the counterpoise! Even more amazing, to me, was the fact that his K2 had the lid off and the KAT2 was still "outboard" with a small ribbon cable for interconnect. I wasn't able to witness today's demo of the KAT2 running installed in the K2, but that would be a cake walk after the mystifying outboard demo -- with RF all over the lab!

Here's a cool trick -- If you have the 160m/dual ant option AND the KAT2 option installed, you can jumper your single antenna on the back of the K2 to "fool" the rig into doubling the number of ATU memories. More memories mean faster tune-times!

The KAT2 display features are typically Burdick-like. You can set a target SWR "goal." You can read both L and C final-tune values. You can read SWR, naturally. You can switch the KAT2 "out of line" and run the K2 straight thru to your Dentron Mega-Tuner or whatever. You can watch the SWR "count-down" to the target SWR as the relays latch and unlatch. You can read the number of relay latches per tune cycle -- a sort of grand indicator of how difficult the match was ;) And, perhaps a few more goodies that elude my memory at this late hour.

The guyz at Elecraft have had a tough act to follow, what with LDG launching their new latching relay "Z-11" tuner... but it's looking like Wayne's clever firmware will edge-out the "Z-11" for the K2 crowd. The KAT2 is going to be another Elecraft home run!

America...competition... ya gotta love it,

Conrad - NN6CW

Don't forget, manuals for the SSB, Noise Blanker and 160M options are available on our Manual Download Page in PDF format.

(August 29, 1999) K2's now shipping from stock! New SSB boards look good. N6KR Harmonic pictures...

By this Wednesday (9/1) we will have caught up with all backlog K2 orders and will be shipping from stock. This means that new K2 orders will now typically ship in one week or less from date of order. Get those soldering irons warmed up for your winter building!

The latest SSB boards also look good. Listen for WA6HHQ on the air as he gives the production SSB board its final test before we begin shipping. So far he has made a number of contacts, including breaking a DX pileup on 20M to Hungary.

Believe it or not, we actually do get out of the office. Wayne and his wife, Lillian, met with Eric and Lerma this last week, and they brought along their new harmonic Marissa. Here Wayne shows off Marissa in her new K2 Jumper suit (courtesy of Bob, WA1FXT). Watch out, Marissa may be operating the N6KR station sooner than you think...

(July 8, 1999) New K2s on the air. Production rolling along. New Builder's Resource Web Page.
We have been shipping K2s since mid June and many of them are now on the air. Listen around 14.060 and 7.040 in the U.S., and in the middle of any DX pile up for them. Also the archives of the Elecraft e-mail Reflector are a great place to keep track of K2 activity.

K2 Builders: We have added a K2 Builder's Resource Web Page at http://www.elecraft.com/Apps/K2info.html It includes all of our builder alerts, building hints, pictures of completed K2 PC boards and troubleshooting suggestions. We will keep this page updated with our latest feedback from builders.

(June 17, 1999) K2s Ship!
Production K2s are now shipping. We apologize for not posting this sooner. We were very busy this week getting K2s built and shipped.

Thanks again for your support and patience. We're excited about hearing more of you on your K2s soon!

For those of you who want to see all of the K2's Toroids, we have placed a picture taken by Jeff, AC6KW, on our Internal K2 Pictures Page.

June 1, 1999) K2 Phase Noise Plot Available
We have added a new plot of the K2's phase noise to our K2 RX/TX performance page. The K2's low phase noise (-130 dBc at a 20 kHz offset) contributes to its excellent receiver performance.

We've been extremely happy with the positive reports on our Field Test K2's. (It sometimes seems too good to be true.) We guess the reality of ramping up production puts things a little more in balance.

(May 8, 1999) Elecraft moves to new facility; AH6KL on board; N6KR Baby due the 19th

Elecraft is growing! Space was getting tight at our original location, so we moved to larger offices in Aptos May first. Now that the dust has settled we have more than enough space to produce and support a much larger volume of K2 shipments. (Our PO Box and phone numbers remain the same.)

Scott King, AH6KL, has joined Elecraft as our K2 technical support engineer. Scott holds an Extra Class ticket and is ready answer your K2 questions. We're setting up an email address for Scott now and will post it to the web page shortly. In the mean time use our radios@elecraft.com address or call us at 831-662-8345.

Wayne, N6KR, our intrepid K2 guru, and his wife are expecting their first child May 19th. (Don't worry, we're not expecting Wayne to help pack K2's!) Amazingly, he has maintained a fanatical focus on making the final improvements to the K2's firmware features (as requested by our Field Testers.) The feedback from our local testers on this release looks great and we hope you will like the new features. (Now 9 CW keyer memories, CW message chaining, programmable beacon repeat delay, up to four filter positions for each mode, ability to skip over non used filter positions, updated support for simultaneous straight key and keyer inputs, Fine mode RIT/XIT range, filter status display, low battery warning, programmable current limiting, ...and more.) On top of that Wayne has been making the final updates to the K2 manual (over 100 pages) to make it even easier to build and understand your K2. No word yet on when we can expect to hear the new arrival on the air....

To view the archives of the Elecraft e-mail Reflector, click here. This web page organizes each month's messages by title and includes all feedback on the K2. Click on each title to view the message. Prior month links are at the bottom of the page. Don't forget that the issues noted by the Field Testers have been corrected for our production K2's.

Most of our 100 Field Tester's have their K2's on the air. We have worked a number of them in K2-K2 QSO's. Listen for them around the QRP frequencies (and in the DX pile ups!) Some of them are signing /K2. Click here for a list of our K2 Field Testers.

The Field Test has been a great success, with most K2 issues being minor and quickly corrected. Our production K2's should be extremely stable. The K2 manual is benefiting greatly from our Field Test feedback. The next revision (production release) will be even more user friendly than our first release, with more pictures and assembly details.

The Complete K2 Assembly and User Manual is now available on our K2 Manual Download Page in PDF format.

Look at this picture from Jeff, AC6KW, to see a great job of toroid winding made easy.

As you read this the first 100 K2s are in final pack-out and are being readied to ship. We can't wait to begin working K2 to K2 QSO's on the air! Thank you to all of you who have been patiently waiting for your new K2's to arrive.

(9/17/98) Click here for new inside pictures of the K2. We've been asked for some inside shots of the K2, so we took one of our lab units and did a quick photo survey of the K2 internals.

(8/16/98) EleCraft's K2 is on the September cover of Japanese CQ magazine.

The September issue of JA CQ, due on newsstands today, features the K2 along with the NorCal40, SST and Sierra from our sister company, Wilderness Radio.

( 4/28/98) Listen for EleCraft K2s on the air. Both N6KR and WA6HHQ are making regular on the air operation part of their K2 testing.

(4/5/98) Wayne, N6KR, made the first 'official' QSO with a complete K2 (fully assembled printed circuit boards, in the box), this morning at 1am! (AB7XK in Montana.)

The latest in-progress K2 prototypes were shown for the first time at the NorCal meeting in Pleasanton, CA, on Sunday, April 5th '98. Our K2s were shown in their new enclosures - hot off the press from the fabricator. The rigs were shown 'in the raw', without any enclosure paint or silkscreening. Wayne, N6KR, also fired up one of the K2s in the parking lot with a SLV portable vertical antenna for an on the air demo.

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