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
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