[Elecraft] Elecraft technology

[Don Wilhelm]

While on this thread, I just realized that Elecraft has been 'cheating'
themselves out of newer and newer models of the K2.  If any other company
had produced it, the major changes that have been offered by Elecraft as
additions to our K2 - such as the A to B conversion, the KPA100, and even
all the other small fixes and especially the functional upgrades provided by
the version 2.x firmware, could have each been offered as new models.  Wayne
and Eric have chosen not to play at that game, instead allowing those of us
with older K2s (even the first Field Test models) to upgrade them to the
very latest design.  After I finish putting the A to B mod on my K2, it will
be functionally and electrically equivalent to the latest one shipped.

One can only tell the difference by looking carefully inside - even the
external appearance has not changed with all these upgrades, and my SN 00020
K2 is getting to be 4 1/2 years old.  With many radios, it could be obsolete
by this time - or at least one or more models behind.  Even Heath came out
with new models which included only minor changes - HW100 to HW101 for one
example.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 


As to why the Elecraft rigs work TODAY, and why (I believe)
they beat out the competition:

1) excellent receive performance
2) few hard-to-find parts
3) built in test equipment
4) excellent manuals, factory support, and the Email List.

When I was building Heathkits, I didn't have a circle of friends
doing the same, and certainly couldn't have gotten answers to
questions within seconds or minutes like with the email list.
That is a HUGE advantage - those who are Elecraft fans generally
know the ins and outs of the rigs and are eager to help.

If you look at what Elecraft has done with these rigs, they really
have compressed the maximum performance into the smallest possible
kit. LCDs and buttons do not make a rig - it's what's behind them.