[Elecraft] K rig's longevity?

[David Wilburn]

Well stated.

I for one plan on keeping my K2, and at some point getting a K3.  I am 
46 years old, and expect these rigs to last me a considerable amount of 
time.

But who knows, something "new" from Elecraft, could likely change my 
mind in the next 20 years or so.

David Wilburn
dave.wilburn at verizon.net
K4DGW
K2 #5982
FP#-1751


Darwin, Keith wrote:
> I had an interesting QSO last night.  K9TTM, very sweet CW call.  He was
> running a Collins S-line and SB200 amp.  His keyer was a homebuilt unit
> from the 1960s.  paddles were Vibrokeyers.  His tuner was a Johnson
> Matchbox.  In other words, his whole station was classic - vintage
> stuff.  I mentioned it and he said "it got old by itself.  It was new
> when I bought it 35 yrs ago HI HI".
>  
> And that got me thinking.
>  
> In 35 years will be still be running our K3s and K2s?  For that matter
> are any rigs being built today going to be considered useful 30 yrs from
> now?  As I ponder the question, I come to the answer of "no".  I believe
> they won't be but not because of any deficiency in the gear.  On the
> contrary, I suspect the K3 / K2 rigs just as durable and able to
> continue operations for many decades, probably more.  I believe they
> won't be applicable in the future because we as a group of hams have
> shifted our thoughts.  We're largely caught up with getting the next
> thing.  We're expecting gear to change yearly and are prone to dump what
> we have and upgrade.  With that mentality, there is no rig that will
> stand the test of time because we won't keep it.
>  
> I know I'm part of the "problem" here.  My K2 is 1.5 yrs old and I'm
> considering selling to get a K3.  The oldest piece of gear in my shack
> is my MFJ antenna analyzer and that is about 3 yrs old.  Everything else
> is either new or is something I've bought in the last couple of years.
> I just don't stick with anything for long.  Oh wait, I take that back.
> The aluminum from which I built my vertical antenna is about 10 yrs old.
>  
> As K9TTM and I chatted back and forth I was thinking about how it would
> be to keep the same rig for decades.  To always have that old friend
> ready to go.  I listened to his signal and thought about relay-based
> semi break-in.  I thought about tube warm-up.  I thought about tuning
> finals.  I thought about 1000 Hz side tone.  I listened to his signal
> and adjusted my RIT to match his drift.  I then looked at my K2 and was
> VERY happy to not be running an old classic rig.
>  
> That silly little kit on my desk which cost far less than the S-Line
> when new, works much better and has more features that Art Collins could
> have dreamed of.
>  
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K2 5411.ssb.100 -
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>  http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft    
> 
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>