With 2m/70cm FM handhelds on the market selling for $35 to $100, I would
think it unwise for Elecraft to attempt to delve into that market, even
if it included multi-mode.
Yes, an All-Mode 2m/70cm transceiver would be attractive (and they
exist), but I suspect the current price point for those transceivers
would not be attractive to Elecraft.
In addition, Elecraft is dedicated to quality products, while the
current competition does not seem to be similarly dedicated - "sell them
as cheaply as you can" and hope the sales volume will make up for the
deficiencies seems to be the current focus.
It seems to me that most activity on 2M/70cm is FM, and those doing
other modes are a select (small) group.
So if you are among those who desire SSB, CW, and modes other than FM on
2m/70CM, then let your voices be heard, but until there is a significant
amount of operating those bands in your favorite style, your choices of
ready built equipment will be small.
As a parallel, I recall when I was starting out in ham radio (1950s)
that there was little commercial gear for VHF (50MHz and above). Those
who delved into VHF operation were experimenters and pioneers who built
their own transmitters and receivers. At that time the Technician Class
license was one for experimenters, and not an entry license.
The Heathkit 6er and 2er changed some of that and opened the VHF
spectrum to many more hams - that was AM rather than FM.
73,
Don W3FPR
73,
Don W3FPR
On 3/30/2017 6:06 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
The 2M option for the KX3 supports transmit at about 3W output. See:
<http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3-2M%20FAQ.htm>
Let me add, there are a lot of new hams with tech licenses. Many of them
came to ham radio from an interest in community services ARES/RACES etc.
They primarily use 2M and 70cm FM repeaters and simplex. It would be
good for the hobby to have a radio which supported these FM uses and
opened the possibility of other modes and bands. The Yaesu 8900 almost
meets this requirement, except it only does FM. There is a very useful
tech SSB subband on 10M which this radio just misses supporting.
I'm sure that some of them would want a high quality, US built, radio
that met their needs plus a little. Call it, "The gateway radio".
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