More (yes, more) from Dayton – Elecraft KX2 Transceiver

We don’t see a lot of (any?) Elecraft here in VK land (for some reason?), but everyone I’ve ever spoken to who own anything Elecraft wouldn’t own anything else.  I think this makes them the Apple of the Amateur Radio manufacturers!  They’ve debuted their new QRP portable HF transceiver, and it’s certainly an impressive unit:

Elecraft KX2 Transceiver

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Elecraft® Hands-On Ham Radio™

Our KX2 “stealth” transceiver can go wherever your imagination takes you.  Thanks to state-of-the-art construction techniques, it’s only 5.8 x 2.8 x 1.5” and weighs just 13 ounces—making it the smallest full-featured HF radio on the planet.  Yet it puts out up to 10 watts, covers 9 bands, and shares many features with the KX3. It also works with the KXPA100 amplifier.

To maximize your freedom to roam, you can outfit your KX2 with an internal 2.6 amp-hour Li-ion battery.  Current drain is as little as 135 mA, yielding up to 8 hours of typical operation on a single battery charge.  There’s also an internal automatic antenna tuner module (KXAT2), which can tune a random wire, dipole, or whip on multiple bands.

A rear tilt-foot angles the KX2 for use on any surface, from desktop to park bench to rock.  The KX2 also makes a great mobile rig, and can even be used hand-held.  It includes a built-in mic for HT-style operation.

The KX2’s powerful 32-bit DSP offers features dual watch, stereo audio, user-programmable filter bandwidths, noise blanking, noise reduction, and auto-notch.  RTTY and PSK data modes are built in—no PC needed—as well as a memory keyer and digital voice recorder for transmit.

There are two padded carrying cases for the KX2, including the CS40 and larger CS60.  Both include belt straps and an interior compartment.

Elecraft® Hands-On Ham Radio™

STANDARD FEATURES

  • 80-10 meter ham bands; general coverage receive from 3-32.0MHz (also covers 0.5 to 3 MHz with reduced sensitivity)

  • All modes: SSB, CW, and Data (four sub-modes)

  • Ultra-compact size: 2.8”H x 5.8”W x 1.5”D; 13 oz (less options); low-profile knobs and feet for minimum height

  • Rear tilt foot provides 3-point mount for rugged terrain

  • Custom high-contrast LCD with alphanumeric text display

  • Current drain as low as 135 mA in receive mode

  • High-performance 32-bit floating-point DSP

  • Built-in PSK/TTY decode/encode allows data mode operation without a PC; transmit in data modes using CW keyer paddle

  • Synthesizer has 1-Hz tuning resolution

  • Integrated numeric keypad for direct frequency entry
      RECEIVER

  • Software-defined-radio (SDR) architecture for versatility

  • Switchable preamp and attenuator

  • 8-band RX EQ

  • Simultaneous dual receive over up to +/- 23 kHz for split-DX operation

  • Built-in speaker; stereo jack for headphones or powered speakers

  • Easy-to-use Passband Tuning (PBT) for shift/width/hicut/locut; roofing filters automatically track DSP filter settings

  • Auto-notch removes interfering carriers; adjustable noise reduction and noise blanking; stereo audio effect

  • Center-tuning indicator for CW and data modes; auto-spot
      TRANSMITTER

  • Up to 10 W on 80-15 m, 8 W on 12 and 10 m (typ.)

  • 100 W with KXPA100 amplifier

  • Rugged, SWR- and temperature-protected final amplifier stage

  • Use with built-in mic or MH3 (with UP/DN VFO functions)

  • Optional KXPD2 keyer paddle with adjustable contact spacing; easily removable for transport; built-in allen wrench storage

  • CW keyer with 8-50 WPM range; fast, full-break-in keying

  • Built-in digital voice recorder (DVR) with 2 message memories

  • Three CW/DATA message memories

  • Fast, silent, PIN-diode T-R switching – no noisy relays

  • DSP speech processing for excellent “punch”

  • 8-band TX EQ tailors passband to your voice and microphone
      OTHER FEATURES

  • General-purpose and per-band memories store VFOs, modes, etc.

  • Computer control via supplied USB or RS232 cable

  • Free firmware updates via provided application software

  • Programmable switch (PFn) for access to an often-used menu entry

  • Full remote-control command set works with popular computer software applications

  • Selectable switch-press tones or full Morse code-based interface

  • Tutorial-style manual ideal for new hams
      OPTIONS & ACCESSORIES

  • KXAT2 Internal, Wide-Range Automatic Antenna Tuner

  • KXBT2 Lithium-ion Battery Pack; 11 V, 2.6 Ah. Can be plugged in internally or externally.

  • KXBC2 External Lithium-ion Fast-Charger for KXBT2 Battery Pack

  • KXPD2 Attached Precision Keyer Paddle

  • KX2 KX2 CS40 & CS60 Compact Padded Carrying Cases. The CS40 is sized for the KX2, a wire antenna, earbuds, keyer paddle, log, and small accessories. The larger CS60 will accommodate an MH3 mic and more accessories.

  • MH3 Hand Microphone with UP/DN Controls

  • KXIO2 Real-Time Clock + General-Purpose Outputs. Clock time-keeping accuracy can be fine-tuned. AUX 1 & 2 outputs are open-drain; for per-band control of relays to switch antenna coil taps, transverters, etc.

  • KXPA100 High-Performance 160-6 meter, 100-W Ampflier. See below; also works with other 5 to 10 W transceivers

  • KXAT100 Wide-Range 100-W ATU with Dual Antenna Jacks. Mounts inside KXPA100 amplifier

The KX2 Datasheet is here and its FAQ document is here.  See Elecraft’s page for the KX2 here.

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