[Elecraft] discovering elecraft

[Joe Malloy]

My story of discovering Elecraft...

I think it was late in 1999 and I read a few messages on QRP-L about this
here "K2" rig - a kit, no less! - and decided to look 'em up on the web. I
did and was impressed with the K2 but...but I could think of a number of
"reasons" why I didn't want one: it was expensive for a kit (little did I
know that the end result would turn out to be world class!), it had those
*awful* rounded head screws all over it (little did I know that they hid
those clever, patented fasteners!) and so on.  In other words, I invented
reasons why I shouldn't buy it.   I had discovered Elecraft and thought I
was safe it its wiles (!).

But the seed had been planted.  Mind you, I was a QRP'er back when Heath was
still in business and had purchased a new, kit version of the HW-8 back in
1976 (1977?), had tons of fun building it and worked many, many stations and
some DX (I'm not much of a DXer) with it, loved the fact that it was so
small, light, portable.  Well, this here K2 seemed to be a HW-8 on steroids,
and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted one.  I figured that I
had built (from kits, I'm smart enough not to build anything I might design
on my own!) a Lafayette 3-tube regenerative receiver (KT-135) and a
Starflite transmatter (KT-390), the Eico plate modulator (722?) and
electronic keyer (717), a Heath Q-multiplier and the HW-8 mentioned, I
always had good luck with the kits (not flawless, gut good luck) and so,
shortly after the QST review article appeared...

I broke down a ordered a K2 in May, 2000, serial 01299.  I got it with the
160 meter option, then the SSB option, the noise blanker, the KAT2, the
KIO2, the KBT2, the KAF2 and it was all good, it all worked splendidly.  The
only thing I've been holding off on is the 100 watt option and higher power
tuner, but I feel myself slowly, oh so slowly giving way.  I can only hope
there's a K3 (or something else by Elecraft to build!) soon!

Happy New Year, everybody!

73,

Joe, W2RBA
K1 #1005
K2 #1299