You're going to get twice as many replies as there are people lurking on this list, Lee. :-) In the end, the decision is yours but you can base it on experience of others. Mine:
I have a KX1, K2/10, and K3/KPA500/P3. I built my K2, S/N 4398, perhaps 5 or 6 years ago, with the ATU. I bought the KPA100 and KAT100 from a 3rd party and used the rig as my home station for about a year. It served me very well. I have two hams within 3 km of me, both QRO. With my TS-850, I could not operate on the same band as them [regardless of mode], the IMD generated inside my receiver made it impossible. With the K2, I could get within 3-4 KHz of them before hearing their key clicks. The K2 was fun to build, easy to operate, and a really good receiver. I subsequently added the SSB module [never used], and the KAF2 audio filter which I use occasionally. I swapped the Hi and Lo power tops when I wanted to take it into the field. After I got my K3, the QRP top stayed on and I finally sold the KPA100 and KAT100. Now, I use it in field events and for activating summits in SOTA. It is basically better than any radio I've ever owned except the K3. I assembled my K3, S/N 642, several years ago. It has the KAT3, 100W amp, and I have since added the DVK which I barely use, and I don't have the second receiver. Other than that, it is basically stock. I haven't added any filters beyond the two that came with it. I subsequently got the KPA500 and just recently the P3. The K3 is a better home station radio than the K2, for a number of reasons, but the K2 served me well in that capacity too. The receiver is better [mainly the IF DSP, although the K2 xtal filter is very good], I can get within 1 KHz of my two QRO comrades on CW, and it is very easy to use. It is also much more costly than the K2. Given your situation [we too were a single income family with 4 kids], I'd opt for a K2 kit. I'd definitely get the KAT2. I'd skip the other accessories to start with, get on CW with 10W and have a blast. There are a large number of QRP contests and events that you will really enjoy. You can also take it to the field very easily. If you decide to build a K2, inventory the entire kit FIRST! Separate the parts into little containers. Not only will it assure you aren't missing anything, it will also familiarize you with all the parts. I spent probably 50-60 hours, I work slowly. Don't build when you're tired or have had a glass of wine with dinner. :-) Hope this helps, 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.org On 8/8/2012 9:41 AM, Lee Herbst wrote: > My situation is this, single income family with 4 kids. I have to save > for anything I want. I just got my ticket in June. I am currently not > on the air, but saving for a 2m mobile to get me started. > > Realistically I can only save for one HF xcvr. I chose Elecraft based > on lurking on this reflector and learning about their excellent > support - I don't think I can go wrong buying from these guys. > However, I don't know if I should save for a K2 or a K3. I think it > will take me about a year to save for the base K2 kit or about 2 years > to save for the base K3 kit. I need to make sure that whichever I get, > it will be something I am happy with for a long time as I would not be > able to afford to replace it. > > I would like to operate cw and ssb, but cw only would be fine until I > could afford the ssb option if I went for the K2. I am intrigued by > building a K2 (I am handy with a soldering iron), but on the other > side of the coin it seems like you get a lot more radio with the K3. > So, if you were in my shoes, which would you save for? On the air > sooner with a K2 or waiting longer for a K3? All input is most > welcome. ______________________________________________________________ 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
