[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft K1 as my first HF rig??

[Dave G4AON]

Jeremy

While replies on an Elecraft mailing list are bound to be biased towards 
the K1, I feel you will probably not find it as useful as a higher power 
CW/SSB transceiver that covers all or most of the HF bands. If you buy 
clean and decent second user transceiver, you can probably re-sell it 
later for a similar amount to what you paid for it. Look for something 
local so you can inspect the rig and check it works correctly. Avoid 
rusty and abused kit and also those from hams who smoke in the shack, 
they are hard to resell. A clean vintage transceiver should hold it's 
value well, especially older ones that can be repaired with common 
parts, i.e. without hard to source ICs and displays. The K1 is great as 
a portable transceiver to use from a tent or holiday/hotel 
accommodation, but less useful as your only HF transceiver at home.

Later, as funds allow, you can look towards a high performance 
transceiver and for that the K3 is currently one of the best around.

73 Dave, G4AON
K1 #1154, K2 #1892, K3/100 #80