I must be the only K2 owner who found the construction (40+ hrs) just... tedious. But it was worth it. Bought it July 1999 and still using it, still qrp and still occasionally busting pileups. Everyone's different.
I'll probably get a K3 one day (kind of expensive), but the K2 us doing fine in the mean time. 73, --Lenny W2BVH > On January 26, 2018 at 6:16 PM Wayne Burdick wrote: > > > Who would spend 30 hours+ building an Elecraft K2? Well, me, for one. > I built the very first K2, not long after Eric and I sketched out the > design on napkins right in the middle of Field Day at Henry Coe state park. > (Some claim this is mythology, but I was there :) That first unit wasn’t even > painted, and we had yet to design the option modules. > > Since then, nearly another 8,000 times someone else has asked that same > question, concluding that the answer was “yes." It’s worth asking why. > > Features? > > The K2 is very light in weight for an all-HF-band/multi-mode > desktop-style rig (3 lbs). The transmitter puts out 15 watts (100 W with the > bolt-on KPA100 top cover), and the receiver has been proven crunch-proof over > many subsequent Field Days. > > Is that why this little radio--our first product--just refuses to become > obsolete? > > Maybe it's the crisp sound of the 100% analog superhet RX strip. Or the > continuously tunable, variable-passband 4.9 MHz crystal filter. Or the > blazingly fast break-in CW. > > Could it be ease of operation? The K2 has only the most essential > controls--excellent for first-time users--and an embarrassingly small number > of menu entries compared to most modern rigs. > > But when I think back on it, now, I believe the real reason for the K2’s > popularity must be that it’s fun to build. Not just fun, but rewarding: > transforming several bags of carefully labeled bagged components and hardware > into a complete ham transceiver, then putting it on the air. (Somewhere I > have a logbook page that says “First QSO on prototype K2!” that I should > frame. It was a unique experience.) > > Speaking of parts, 100% of those used in the K2 have leads. There’s > nothing wrong with surface mount construction, but leaded parts are easier to > handle, harder to lose, and more clearly labeled. This makes for a > reassuring, enjoyable assembly process, even if you’ve had just a little > prior experience building. > > What got me started on this email was a quick browse through some of the > over 300 reviews of the K2 posted on eHam.net: > > http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/117 > > The enjoyment and pride of building really shines through. This is why > Eric and I started the company in 1998, and it’s why we still offer the K2 > only as a full kit. (Yes, you’ll need a good soldering iron. Our tech support > team will be happy to recommend one if you’re shopping around.) > > Many customers have teamed up with their kids or grandkids on the build. > In my book, this beats letting them binge-watch Netflix all weekend. Even if > your co-builders aren’t hams (yet), they’ll have great fun helping you > identify and install parts. > > That, in fact, is pretty easy. One of the best things about the K2 is the > assembly manual: > > > http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740001_K2%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20Rev%20I.pdf > > The manual is written in tutorial style, including finer points like the > resistor color code, photos of all parts and modules, and detailed signal > tracing/troubleshooting instructions. The manual has been refined to the > point that it’s virtually foolproof. Of course if you have any difficulties, > you can always ask a question on the Elecraft reflector, day or night, or > check in with customer support. > > For those of you who are just now thinking about tackling the K2, we’ve > decided to sweeten the deal a little. Consider it an early Valentine’s gift. > You can find our K2 specials near the top of this page: > > http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm > > I’ll leave you with this photo of two early production K2s. It was taken > in 1999 from inside a VW van I used to own (the radio is reliable, the van > wasn’t). S/N 00002, in the foreground, was being operated by Eric, WA6HHQ, > except that he’s also the photographer. In the background is yours truly, > complete with a Field-Day’s worth of facial hair and tie-dyed T-shirt, > operating S/N 00001. > > http://www.elecraft.com/wayne_m.jpg > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:elecr...@mailman.qth mailto:elecr...@mailman.qth .net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w2...@comcast.net mailto:w2...@comcast.net > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
