I'm afraid my eyes and hands are beyond working on surface mount stuff. Years ago I predicted that the Ten Tec Omni VI might be the last rig that was fully user-repairable, meaning that because of its use of through-hole parts it could still be worked on by the common man. Shortly after I made that remark the K2 was introduced. So now perhaps only the K2 and perhaps one other kit currently out there (the DZkit Sienna) are the last of the user-repairable through-hole rigs. Hang on to those two, if you have them. I suppose the only thing working against the K2 and Sienna are the lifetimes of some of the ICs and transistors in them as semiconductor parts are constantly being obsoleted. (Irony: You can still easily find a 6L6 or 12AX7 but MRF 458's are extinct!)
At that time I also wondered (after seeing the prices of original unopened Heathkits on eBay) whether it wouldn't be a great retirement investment to stockpile a few unopened and unbuilt Elecraft kits in the attic. Al W6LX ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
