[Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/20/05 9:14:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
sv9dru at hotmail.com writes:


> Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more 
> expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF 
> coverage, preselector, no birdies etc). 

OK - I have no doubt that Eric & Wayne could do it.

Also assume that the "K3"s 
> 
> performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2

Not so easy. K2's single-conversion design, short signal path and unusual PLL 
system put hamband performance first, at the expense of other features. 
Different tradeoffs mean different payoffs. I prefer the Elecraft tradeoffs.

 and its price not 
> 
> prohibitive.
> 

That's the real kicker. What price is "prohibitive" for such a rig - $2000? 
$3000? Price out a full-up K2/100, then see what the parts alone would cost you 
in small quantities.  A K3 would have to cost more. 


> How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ??

Depends on the price.

 Would 
> 
> the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that 
> he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic 
> performance ?

No telling what most hams would do. Some would build, others would never even 
consider it. The price alone would deter many others. How many hams per year 
buy new 100W transceivers of any kind? 
> 
> My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong.
> 
> 

Agreed. 

Also, while the K2/100 box is full, there are still growth paths for the K2. 
Changes in FCC rules may allow Elecraft to put the 100W amp and its tuner in a 
separate box (already done by some homebrewers). Maximum flexibility, minimum 
weight/size. 

Or the K2's insides could be implemented in a bigger box. I have considered 
doing this as a homebrew project. New sheet metal, new control board with 
bigger knobs, controls and displays, nothing irreversible.

My impression of K2 is that it was designed to be the ultimate QRP CW ham 
rig. All else is add-ons. That's the opposite of the design philosophy of almost 
all other hamrigs since the KWM-2, which are primarily SSB rigs that have CW 
tacked on. 

73 de Jim, N2EY