[Elecraft] RE: Discovering Elecraft

[Morrow, Michael A.]

I'd been playing around with portable HF operation as an SWL since the early
1960s when my Dad (W5WRR/SK) used a Drake 2-A and Elmac AF-67 powered by a
surplus gasoline AC generator on family camping trips in the Ozarks.  I
licensed in 1968, and continued to enjoy portable operations most.  By 1999,
for backpacking, three wonderful Small Wonder Lab DSW-series monoband rigs
became my favorite QRP radios.

At Dayton 2000, I saw the prototype K1 and was sold on it.  I ordered one in
June 2000, and received it in November 2000.  Though most on this topic talk
of the K2, I consider the K1 to have been a fantastic, inspired addition to
the Elecraft line.  I'm not philosophically attached to QRP-only operation,
and I'm not really that interested in building things anymore.  But
backpacking requires a compact, lightweight, QRP design, the K1 was and is
the best rig available anywhere to fill that bill, and the only way to get
one was to build one.  I've been very happy with it, especially after the
four-band option became available.

So, unlike most others posting on this subject, it was the K1 that brought
me to Elecraft.

73,
Mike / KK5F