[Elecraft] In training for K2...

[Kirby J. Davis]

John,

What Rod recommends is exactly the path I took. I had the same 
concerns as you except that I had never even built a Heathkit.=
 The 
PSK-20 kit was a joy to build and it is a great little radio...=
 I've 
had a blast operating it. 

Building the PSK-20 was a good confidence builder and Dave Benson=
 is 
more than happy to answer any questions you might have, etc. The=
 only 
thing "bad" about the kit was having to wait for it to arrive...=
 Dave 
must have quite a demand for them!

I'm still in the process of building my K2. While I do think it=
 was 
helpful for me to gain the confidence and experience building the=
 K2, 
I would have to echo the others and say that I don't think you 
necessarily have to start with a warm-up kit. It really doesn't=
 seem 
like that K2 is that much harder/different than building the 
PSK-20... just more parts, takes longer, etc.

Bottom-line though is I'm glad I started with the PSK-20... it is=
 a 
handsome little rig in its custom case and it performs great!=
 I've 
QSO'ed from here in Georgia with someone on Easter Island, in the=
 
Ukraine, etc... and that with only 3 watts... lots of fun!

The website for the PSK-20 is:

 www.smallwonderlabs.com

73,

.. Kirby (KB4UTZ)


>Message: 5
>From: "Rod N0RC" <rod@n0rc.com>
>To: <john@johnpfeifer.com>, <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] In training for K2...
>Date: Sun, 17 Mar 2002 11:34:55 -0700
>
>John,
>
>You will hear from many that starting out with a K2 is quite 
doable,
>and I agree. But if you decide to build a simpler kit as a
>warmer-upper, consider the PSK-20 from Small Wonder Labs, very=
 easy
>to
>build. Then move one to the K2. When the [solder] smoke clears 
you'll
>have two excellent radios: The K2 as your full coverage all mode=
 HF
>rig, and the PSK-20 a fun specialized rig for PSK-31. A dynamite=
 
duo
>for any hamshack.
>
>73, Rod N0RC
>Ft Collins, CO



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