[Elecraft] Enhanced K2 or basic K3 dilemma...

[Bill Tubbs]

Thank you for that reasoned response, Don. Your comparison is appreciated! I 
wasn't really aware of the limitations of the K2 compared to the K3, but that's 
mainly because I haven't been using the K2 much. Now that I have the KX3 it's 
about all I use.

My heart is telling me to hold out for the K3 but every time I go to the order 
page and cost it out at around $3K (for what I consider basics), I balk and tell 
myself to go back and "think some more." Actually, after selling off my FT-897 
and accessories I ended up with about $1800 and that's a good start towards the 
K3. Just a few more sell-offs and then I can tell myself that I can find the 
remaining cash :-)

I was too late to take advantage of the few used K3s that were posted for sale 
here but I'll keep looking, just in case.

Meanwhile, I'll pull out my IC735 system so it can go next...

Thanks again, Don.

Bill
WK6A





________________________________
From: Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
To: Bill Tubbs <cgpiper at yahoo.com>
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Tue, September 11, 2012 5:07:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Enhanced K2 or basic K3 dilemma...

Bill,

Your answer will be couched in your operating habits as well as your wants and 
needs.
If you are working DX or contesting and need a top notch transceiver, go for the 
K3.  The K2 is nothing to sneeze at, but the K3 has AM mode, FM mode, and for 
those interested includes ESSB - you only need to purchase the appropriate 
filters for those modes. If you like to do a bit if SWLing, the KBPF3 will allow 
you to tune the K3 like a general coverage receiver - the K2 is limited to the 
ham bands.

The K3 adds the possibility of the KRX3 which gives you 2 identical receivers in 
the same box.  The K2 offers no parallel, but the KX3 Dual Watch emulates the 
same thing, but over a limited frequency range.

Yes, sell off your other transceivers - they cannot beat the K2, K3 or the KX3 
for performance.  If you want to sell the K2 to get the K3, that is a good 
choice, but if the K2 meets all your operating needs except for the 100 watt 
option, just order the KPA100 (and maybe the KAT100).

Do I sound biased?  Yes, I certainly am.  I was an original Field Tester for the 
K2 and have been "All Elecraft" (except for my FT-847) since then.  I also do 
part-time repair work for them, and they treat me quite well - besides, I really 
do think they have some of the very best in ham radio gear out there today, 
whether it be the legacy K1, K2 or KX1, or whether it be the latest K3 and KX3.

73,
Don W3FPR
.
On 9/11/2012 7:46 PM, Bill Tubbs wrote:
> Looking for feedback from you K2 and K3 owners:
> 
> I'm fairly new to the Elecraft family, having bought a T1 a few years ago for 
>my
> FT-817, then getting into the Elecraft transceivers earlier this year 
>(finally).
> I now have a KX1, K2, and a KX3. I bought the KX1 and K2 used, but assembled 
>the
> KX3 last month.
> 
> I haven't used the KX1 or K2 much, but am having a ball with the KX3. So now 
>I'm
> realizing it just makes sense for me to wean myself off of other rigs and 
focus
> on the Elecraft family (I sold my FT-897 and FT-857 gear earlier and am
> preparing to sell my trusty IC-735). In order to have a nice 100-watt Elecraft
> rig I've given myself 3 choices:
> 
> 1. Upgrade my K2/10 to a K2/100.
> 2. Sell the K2, find more cash, and buy a K3/100.
> 3. Wait for the KXPA100 for my KX3 (and maybe sell the K2).
> 
>