[Elecraft] What made you decide on purchasing an Elecraft transceiver?

[Don Wilhelm]

  OK, I might as well chime in on this thread too.
My introduction to Elecraft was in 1999 (or was it 1998) in the form of 
a post to the QRP reflector.  That post was looking for Field Testers 
for a new transceiver (the K2).
I already had an FT-900 transceiver that I enjoyed, but the concept of 
building my own full function transceiver was appealing, so I did a lot 
of "shopping" for the various kits that were on the market.  I ignored 
the "toy" radios that are fun to build, but are typically crystal 
controlled and were not integrated into a "system" radio.  I looked at 
the SWL series (single band), and the OHR offerings, but was not 
entirely satisfied with any of them - the Sierra had some appeal, but it 
did not have bandswitching, but instead had plug-in band modules.

Then the K2 description whetted my appetite and I ordered a Field Test 
K2 sort of like a "pig in a poke".  I had to give my credit card info up 
front, but then as a Field Tester, I was receiving a 10% discounted price!

When I received my kit and the building started (the Field Test email 
reflector had already been established), I did as any Field Tester 
should do and offered my suggestions for changes in the manual and any 
other things that crept into my mind that might enhance the K2 for other 
builders.  We initial Field Testers had a great time, and helped one 
another through the build process using that email reflector.

When all was completed and the K2 "went live", we felt we had done a 
good job, and that was going to be the end of it.  Well, suddenly Eric 
announced that the success of the Field Tester email reflector was so 
helpful that it would be made available for all builders.  We could help 
others through any problems encountered while building their K2s.

Soon, that expanded to the K1, the mini-modules, and the KX1, and then 
on to the K3.  It has been an exciting experience for me personally, and 
I have developed a lot of friends through this email reflector.  Yes, 
the K3 is a great transceiver (the K2 is too), and the K1 and KX1 are 
superb in their own place in the market, and Elecraft Support is as 
great as ever.  So am I biased - definitely YES.

Confession: I am biased!  I do hourly repair work for Elecraft, and I 
can say that there is not a better employer.  I also am permitted to do 
independent upgrades and new builds of Elecraft gear - with the blessing 
of Eric and Wayne.  I have never worked in such a comfortable 
environment - and business is conducted almost seamlessly between 
Watsonville, CA and my location in Wake Forest, NC - thanks to the 
internet and the way it is used at Elecraft.

Yes, I will be at Dayton, spending a lot of my time at the Elecraft 
booth "cheering" for Elecraft.  I enjoy meeting people that I normally 
only exchange emails with.  I love my K3 and my K2 SN 0020 will pass 
likely pass to my grandson who has recently become a ham when I become 
an SK.  That K2 is a part of me and my history, and will not be sold as 
long as I live - it is a part of me and my experience that I will never 
forget (and I have no regrets).

Thank you Elecraft for creating more than several great transceivers, 
you have created a community, and that community of users lives on 
through the Elecraft reflector.

73,
Don W3FPR