[Elecraft] Is the K2 old technology

[Vic K2VCO]

Conway Yee wrote:

> The K2 is the state of the art in ONLY an extreme niche.  Specifically it
> is likely the highest performing hardware radio that is available for
> construction by a hobbyist from the component level.  Given technical
> advances in electronics, it is likely to remain the state of the art for
> the foreseeable future.

It is also state of the art in another niche, that of low-power-drain QRP contesting. The 
combination of performance and low power consumption hits the 'sweet spot' for Field Day 
1a battery class, for example.

There are radios that perform better and there are radios that consume less power, but the 
K2 is the perfect compromise in this regard. It is also big enough to operate without 
getting cramped but still reasonably small and lightweight. The KAT2 tuner adds almost no 
power consumption and is extremely flexible.

Even if I weren't sentimental about it --  I built it in 1999 and have made many mods over 
the years -- and although I have a better-performing K3, I'd never give it up.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco