[Elecraft] elecraft vs oriental rigs

[bill.va3ol at gmail.com]

I have had many rigs in my 35 years of hamming. My favorites are always
American.  Why? My first rig was an FT200, the poor man's Yaesu. I think it
was callled a Tempo one in the US. I bought it new and the dealer demanded
that it be sent back to Yaesu, he wouldn't fix it under warranty.  So I
avoided Yaesu for many years. I finally succumb to the FT857 and the audio
was so lousy that I hated it. Then, silly me, I bought an FT817 (used) and
within a year it wouldn't work on some bands. (turned out to be a common
problem) and 130$ later I sold it ....... Never again. None of the YIK
people admit to a fault. None of the YIK people provide a solution to a
problem. I had an SGC 2020 bought new and under warranty. When  it chirped
on CW they said that they could make it right. IF i sent the rig back and
my cheque for $160 plus shipping - UNDER WARRANTY! I was so
............upset I sold the damn thing.

I have built a K1, KX1, K2 (all of the accessories but not the basic K2
cw). The few times I have had a problem Elecraft was there to help me
resolve it. I am not a techy. But they were willing to talk me through it.

I once considered buying a K1 that had been lightning damaged. I emailed
Elecraft to see what my potential bill might be to have it fixed by them.
Their reply was: You can fix it yourself, and we will help you do that.
Imagine what YIK would say!

I see a lot of what I sometimes think are silly questions on the Elecraft
list. And then I remember; there are no silly questions, just really good
advise from Elecraft and the unsung hero's of the list.

I have ordered my KX3 sight unseen, and I am not waiting for a year for the
design to mature because I think that Elecraft will continue it's excellent
service and provide user installable upgrades the same way that it has done
with all of the other rigs that it sells.

Bill, VA3OL