[Elecraft] The last of the through-hole kits

[w2bvh]

  I always thought a machine built K2 might have worked out at least as 
well as a user constructed one. Build quality would be very consistent 
and unit cost / selling price might actually be less than that of a kit.

The big problem, especially for a company just starting out, would be 
obtaining (and risking) the amount of money needed to pay for a batch of 
machine-made boards. The batch size would need to be big enough to 
warrant the setup cost on the machines(s).  The batch would also sit as 
inventory, also tying up capital.  Kits could be made up in runs of any 
size. So a through hole / kit approach was actually less of a financial 
risk.

Personally I would not have missed the kit building experience, but 
everyone has their own preference.

I certainly am *very* happy with the K2 that resulted from the effort, 
even 11 or so years later.

73,
Lenny W2BVH