Lee I agree with Fred Jensen. The K2 was all the radio I ever needed. The operative word is "needed". The K2 has served me well. I was licensed in 2009 and got my HF privileges in 2010. Since 2010, I have bought a TS830S used from a Canadian Missionary radio amateur an FT897 and got 2/3 of the states for Worked All States (phone) between those 2 rigs. I have since sold the TS830S and in the process of selling the FT897. I have since gotten Worked All States 2 more times over with my K2. My K2 does have most of the bells and whistles - SSB, KAF2, KPA100, NB, SSB, KAT2 but is mostly operated QRP - 95% except for the few times when I work DX contests. I have since reached DXCC both CW and Mixed Mode and the K2 was the rig I did it with. Some say the K3 sounds better on phone. The K2 is the most intuitive radio I have ever owned. The K3 is a better contesting rig - no arguments there. It all depends on what you want to spend your time in the hobby. You can do well in SKCC and NAQCC sprints with a K2 or K2/100. As a top line contester with the skills it carries - the K3 is a better choice. I will probably never part with my K2. If I had a limited budget and want a barefoot rig (100 watts) - I would opt for a K2/100. I can swap out the PA deck for Field Day QRP in 5 minutes. My 2 cents Ariel NY4G
> Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 12:41:09 -0400 > From: lcher...@gmail.com > To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 > > 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. > > 73, > > -- > Lee Herbst - AK4WN > > "Give God your best and let Him do the rest" - Facing the Giants > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
