Elecraft Classic Line with Dave, W8FGU

Watch Dave's Classic Line demo presented at the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo 2020.

[@daviddietrich9449]

The K2 is the last of the old school transceivers. All of the necessary functions are right on the front panel and not buried in a menu somewhere. The receiver is dynamite! I have #7164 built in 2011 and I love it. I just acquired #8074 that I will be building as my home rig since I live in an apartment and need a compact station. I'm looking forward to building this one as well, and getting it on the air.

[@warplanner8852]

Marvelous video, Dave! Thank you for regaling us with the history of the venerable K-2. I built and own K-2 #999 from a kit back in 1998. I kept mine as a QRP radio and is loaded with the second/160m module, SSB, tuner, etc. It's been on countless FDs where it has performed flawlessly. From my cold, dead hands, Dave! Thank you again for the video!

[@W7LDT]

Hello, Dave, from LARRY - W7LDT. To all who are considering building a K2, do it. I received a K2/100 with ALL of the options as a retirement gift from my XYL, including the 100 watt, external tuner. It is NOT a weekend project. It took about 9 months to complete. I have 3 comments for K2 builders: First and foremost, Dave is an amazing K2 technician. He helped me troubleshoot via emails and phone calls. I ended up having to send it to him. It turned out to be a component issue that he found in several more K2s with similar serial numbers. Dave made it perfect and sent it back. Secondly, I personally do not think this is a beginner kit. BUT, the assembly manuals are amazing. It’s like eating and elephant, one bite at a time. Third, don’t be afraid of winding toroids. It’s relaxing. Sit in a recliner with your feet up and wind away. Label each one. Double and triple check the turns count. It turns into an art form. Thanks for everything, Dave. I have an amazing radio. 73, Larry - W7LDT

[@davevanwallaghen7892]

Thanks for all the nice compliments Larry. So glad to hear you are still enjoying your K2. It is so nice to hear of those who invest into the building process and have it continue into the operating realm. Take care Larry and thanks again.

[@paulfrancis8836]

Got your elecraft KX3, still working great.

[@johndickinson8848]

What battery rating for Continuous Discharge Current do you recommend for the K2 ? Also what size fuse do you recommend for implementing between the battery and the K2 ?

[@W7LDT]

A great beginner kit (tool) you will need is a component tester. That’s how I checked those caps that couldn’t be read, even with my USB microscope. Oh yes, that’s another inexpensive tool you will love. The component testers are around $20.

[@arthurlewis2436]

I have a K2/100 I built in 1999 serial number 642. Where do I send it for service? It still works great, but I think I would like you to update it.

[@ElecraftChannel]

Hi Arthur! You can request an RSA from Dave by emailing him at [e-mail].

[@michaeltrager4381]

Want me to update your current K2? www.n2zdb.com/ I can bring it to the Rev. B version if your serial number is below 3000.

[@edk6sdw600]

Bought and built my K2 in 1999...took a month to build and debug. Great CW radio, very disappointed SSB phone radio, transmit audio never compared to the Japanese hf rigs....... 73/K6SDW