[Elecraft] Considering K-1 or K-2

[Darwin, Keith]

I bought a used K1.  It was a cool little rig but to serve as my main
base rig, I wanted more.  I wanted better filtering.  I wanted full-band
tuning range.  I wanted a better AGC.  I wanted better receiver
performance.  I wanted a better display system.  I wanted all the bands.

I bought and built a bare bones K2.  What a great rig.  It has addressed
all the issues I had with the K1.  Sweet.  It is good enough to be my
one-and-only HF transceiver.  The only thing the K1 had over the K2 was
that the K1's receiver was a bit quieter (higher S/N ratio).  Other than
that, the K2 is clearly the better rig.

If you are wanting to carry the rig everywhere you go (don't put it in
your shoe if you're going to fly) then the smaller K1 may be a better
choice.  For picnic table use and home use, the K2 is primo!

I've added one option - the AF filter.  It is a nice to have, not a
must-have.  The basic bare-bones rig does just fine without it.  I'll
probably add the 100 watt PA next since sometimes you need some power.
SSB will eventually get there but I'm in no hurry.

- Keith KD1E -
- K2 5411 -


-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Zminda

I'm looking for a low power rig ... I'm leaning for the K-1 ... but see
a lot to like in the K-2. Any comments on comparing these rigs?  If I
went with the K-2, would I be satisfied with a bare bones model without
adding too many options?