[Elecraft] Convince me?!!

[Ron D' Eau Claire]

> I need to be convinced that the Elecraft K2 is better than both the
> FT100d and FT817???
>
> How often do you do repairs?
>
> Can 15W get out as about the same as 50  or 100W??
>
> Daniel


1) It is definitely NOT better if you don't want to build your own gear.

2) My K2 is 2 years old and has not needed any repairs or attention. I have
installed a couple of modifications to make it do a few things a little
better than before. Things that you'd send an FT100 or FT817 back to the
factory to get - if they even offered any improvements. The Elecraft guys
have upgraded the firmware several times, adding features and options that
the owners requested. How often do the other rig manufacturers do that?

3) No, 15 watts can NOT get out as well as 50 or 100. But much of the time
you can't tell the difference in making contacts. 15 watts is just about 1
"S" unit below 50 and a bit under two "S" units weaker than 100. However,
the K2 is a 100 watt transceiver and the Elecraft guys are promising that
the KPA100 amplifier module that mounts inside of it is nearly ready for
sale. So  you can match a 100 watt rig if you want.

If you don't ever want to take the covers off of your rig - what we old
timers (licensed in '52) call an "Appliance Operator" - then why would you
look at an Elecraft product? I would definitely recommend that you avoid
it... or at least that you buy one already built.

But, if  you enjoy the satisfaction of making it work yourself, and if
knowing that you have a rig that is AMONG the best you can buy is important,
then I don't know of anything that can touch the Elecraft K2.

In recent years "home brew" became synonymous with 'limited performance'
little rigs built for the pleasure of building, but which "everyone knew"
could not compete with the commercially built equipment.

Well, Elecraft changed all of that. They are NOT competing with the Icom's
and Kenwood's and Yaesu's. The ops who wouldn't dream of every opening up
their rig and who don't care about really knowing what is going on inside of
the box will continue to buy those rigs, as they should.

What Elecraft did was gave us dedicated builders a rig that is every bit as
good as the appliances - and better than many in important ways.

It's been a number of years since a kit-built rig could stand toe-to-toe
with the best rigs in the market, and it has been a real source of pleasure
to those of us who consider building our own gear an important part of being
an Amateur Radio Operator.

Convince you Daniel? No sir! You don't need to be convinced. The choice of
ham rigs, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If it appeals to you,
go for it. If you demand to have a clean "winner" handed to in this
business, you will forever be bombarded with others telling you what's best,
and while you are digesting that something new will appear on the market.

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289