[Elecraft] K-2: my perosnal experience

[VK2DX]

The K-2 was ordered on December 17th and No. 6653 arrived 3 days later.
I have to say I did not know what to expect- I was just looking for
'something' to keep me busy during the summer holiday (I am located in
Australia). 
Well let me just say that I got my money worth of pleasure
even before the radio was completed! 

I am a master watchmaker by trade so I can not comment on electronic aspect
of K-2.
However from the mechanical perspective the kit surpassed all expectations.
The quality of instruction manual, PCBs, relays, connectors, individual
components is just amazing.
Everything fitted together perfectly and I got the radio working in a first
go!
The bit that I enjoy the most is winding of toroids. I love the magic
of radio "getting alive", especially when LCD flashed Elecraft for the first
time.
And most importantly I've learned a lot!

Since English is not my first language, I'll keep this rapport brief.

I took 175 photos of assembly process,
including on-air test :http://vk1aa.com/K2/k2.html

The very first contact made was with JE1RZR over the distance of 9,250 Km on
14,054 MHz. (Manabu was operating K-2/100 !). Few minutes later under rather
poor band condition I also worked FK8DD, BV7, ZL1. Just after my sunset, I
had a lovely QSO on 40m with another JA1 and ZL2- all with 5W out into
home-made vertical antenna.

I would like to thank Wayne and Eric for such a wonderful experience
and to many of you on Elecraft forum for your unselfish assistance to Ham
community.

73, Nick VK2DX 
Sydney - Australia.
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