Paul, I do not believe Elecraft will discontinue the K2 nor its options for some long time to come. Yes, the K2 is over 10 years old, but still going strong. It is a 'mature' product, which means that there will not likely be additional updates for it down the road. You can feel safe buying the basic K2 and adding options later. These are not just my thoughts, they have been confirmed by Wayne and Eric publicly on this reflector.
A fully loaded K2 will give you most of the features that a basic K3 offers although the K3 offers some nice 'extras' too, so ... If your final goal is a fully loaded K2 (with all options including the KDSP2), then you will find the price is comparable with the K3 basic cost, but if you must do it incrementally due to budget constraints, then the K2 has a lower entry price. The K2 is a great performing transceiver all by itself - and it is still not very far down the list on the Sherwood listings. I am assuming that you will enjoy building the K2 from its discrete parts rather than plugging the boards together and assembling the hardware pieces - the latter is the assembly process for the K3 kit. If the building process turns you off, then save up your ham budget dollars and go for the basic K3. 73, Don W3FPR Paul Huff wrote: > I think that I have finally saved up enough money to purchase my long-desired > K2. But there are two thoughts that cause me to hesitate: > > First, is the K2 "long in the tooth"? Am I spending a significant amount of > money on technology that is on it's way to being obsolete? > > Second, I will only be able to purchase a basic K2 and plan on adding the > extras to it over the next couple of years. Will Elecraft still be offering > those products for that length of time? > > I guess that I will ask that 2nd question directly to Elecraft, but any > opinions > on the first question would be appreciated. > > Thanks in advance and 73, > Paul - N8XMS > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.102/2556 - Release Date: 12/10/09 > 02:36:00 > > ______________________________________________________________ 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