[Elecraft] Elecraft technology

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: al_lorona@agilent.com [mailto:al_lorona@agilent.com]
> 
> As far as basic receiver performance goes, isn't it amazing that two
> guys from California out-designed all of the huge engineering 
> staffs of the Big Three in several critical areas of receiver 
> performance? 

Well that's the main thing. They gambled on the fact that some
hams still want performance and/or the kit experience, and are
willing to give up fancy cabinets, front panels that light up,
and general coverage receive to get it. Elecraft won the 
bet, about 4000 (K2) + 2000 (K1) times.

When I first heard of the K2, in 2000, I said, that's not
for me. Too expensive for just 10W. Looks kind of homely.

It was only after discovering the K1, deciding that it
was perfect for my QRP needs, and then using the K1 for
a year that I understood how great the rig was, and at
that point, the K2 looked better (in expectations) than
any other Japanese ~$600 radio I had considered. But I
had to try the K1 first to find out. 

That could be one thing that may keep someone from buying
a K1/K2 kit - they haven't heard them firsthand, whereas
they may have used a Japanese import in the past (or at
a local Ham Radio Outlet) and know what to expect.

Along those lines, it may be a nice thing to have .WAV
or .MP3 files on the website which demonstrate things like
the filters, KAF2, KDSP2. Or even a short .MPG of someone
as he tunes around in a contest, to show how the rig performs
in a crowded band. 

Andy