An XV50 + KIO2, adding on to a QRP K2, is getting within shouting distance of the cost of an FT817. Could someone comment on the relative merits, for use as a first multimode VHF rig? My guess is that the XV50 is better, but does less. In addition to just exploring on CW and SSB, I'd want to participate in some VHF CW contests. Peter N8MHD