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

[Robert G. Strickland]

Bill...

I built a K2 with the 100w amp several years ago and early this year got a K3 with 
100w amp. I wouldn't part with the K2 for anything short of a financial emergency. 
That said, it's like the difference between the bottom and top of the Mercedes-Benz 
line: there sure are some significant differences, yet that entry level car is still 
a prize all by itself. If you must restrict yourself to just one radio, then probably 
best to start investing in the K3. That item has long legs to stay at or near the top 
for some time. Concerning the K2, one hears of slowly encroaching problems sourcing 
its components. My impression is that the company is doing everything it can to keep 
the K2 line moving, and I sure hope that they're successful. Still, the K3 is 
probably the money investment at this point. PS - keep the K2 if you can.

...robert

On 9/11/2012 23:46, 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).
>
> If I upgrade the K2 I'll have spent another $400+ and have a nice rig, but I
> suspect I'll be wondering if I should have held out for a K3. If I go for the
> K3, I really need to sell the K2 to pay for part of it.
>
> I like the idea of owning the top-of-the-line K3 and would likely upgrade it as
> I go along, but I'm thinking I'd have most of what I want with a fully upgraded
> K2 even though I realized there is an awful lot more to the K3.
>
> Has anyone sold their K2 and bought a K3, and if so, any regrets/comments/other
> thoughts?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Bill
> WK6A
> KX3 #1216
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-- 
Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net
Syracuse, New York, USA