[Elecraft] K2 vs K3

[Fred Jensen]

You're going to get twice as many replies as there are people lurking on 
this list, Lee. :-)  In the end, the decision is yours but you can base 
it on experience of others.  Mine:

I have a KX1, K2/10, and K3/KPA500/P3.  I built my K2, S/N 4398, perhaps 
5 or 6 years ago, with the ATU.  I bought the KPA100 and KAT100 from a 
3rd party and used the rig as my home station for about a year.  It 
served me very well.  I have two hams within 3 km of me, both QRO.  With 
my TS-850, I could not operate on the same band as them [regardless of 
mode], the IMD generated inside my receiver made it impossible.  With 
the K2, I could get within 3-4 KHz of them before hearing their key 
clicks.  The K2 was fun to build, easy to operate, and a really good 
receiver.  I subsequently added the SSB module [never used], and the 
KAF2 audio filter which I use occasionally.

I swapped the Hi and Lo power tops when I wanted to take it into the 
field.  After I got my K3, the QRP top stayed on and I finally sold the 
KPA100 and KAT100.  Now, I use it in field events and for activating 
summits in SOTA.  It is basically better than any radio I've ever owned 
except the K3.

I assembled my K3, S/N 642, several years ago.  It has the KAT3, 100W 
amp, and I have since added the DVK which I barely use, and I don't have 
the second receiver.  Other than that, it is basically stock.  I haven't 
added any filters beyond the two that came with it.  I subsequently got 
the KPA500 and just recently the P3.

The K3 is a better home station radio than the K2, for a number of 
reasons, but the K2 served me well in that capacity too.  The receiver 
is better [mainly the IF DSP, although the K2 xtal filter is very good], 
I can get within 1 KHz of my two QRO comrades on CW, and it is very easy 
to use.  It is also much more costly than the K2.

Given your situation [we too were a single income family with 4 kids], 
I'd opt for a K2 kit.  I'd definitely get the KAT2.  I'd skip the other 
accessories to start with, get on CW with 10W and have a blast.  There 
are a large number of QRP contests and events that you will really 
enjoy.  You can also take it to the field very easily.

If you decide to build a K2, inventory the entire kit FIRST!  Separate 
the parts into little containers.  Not only will it assure you aren't 
missing anything, it will also familiarize you with all the parts.  I 
spent probably 50-60 hours, I work slowly.  Don't build when you're 
tired or have had a glass of wine with dinner. :-)

Hope this helps,

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

On 8/8/2012 9:41 AM, Lee Herbst wrote:
> My situation is this, single income family with 4 kids. I have to save
> for anything I want. I just got my ticket in June. I am currently not
> on the air, but saving for a 2m mobile to get me started.
>
> Realistically I can only save for one HF xcvr. I chose Elecraft based
> on lurking on this reflector and learning about their excellent
> support - I don't think I can go wrong buying from these guys.
> However, I don't know if I should save for a K2 or a K3. I think it
> will take me about a year to save for the base K2 kit or about 2 years
> to save for the base K3 kit. I need to make sure that whichever I get,
> it will be something I am happy with for a long time as I would not be
> able to afford to replace it.
>
> I would like to operate cw and ssb, but cw only would be fine until I
> could afford the ssb option if I went for the K2. I am intrigued by
> building a K2 (I am handy with a soldering iron), but on the other
> side of the coin it seems like you get a lot more radio with the K3.
> So, if you were in my shoes, which would you save for? On the air
> sooner with a K2 or waiting longer for a K3? All input is most
> welcome.