[Elecraft] A Rob Sherwood's talk in Dayton

[Fred Jensen]

On 6/8/2013 3:09 PM, Bill K9YEQ wrote:
> Ed,
>
> Glad I never discussed the same issue with the wife when I bought the K2.  I
> now own the K3 and KX3.  The K2 is my hearty backup in case of issues.  The
> Kx3 is my living room radio, if you can believe it.  The KX3 can be routed
> through my THP 2.5 for a 300 watt signal provided I have selected and tuned
> for the correct band while in the living room. The wife, pretends to be
> somewhat oblivious....  She's a keeper, esp. after nearly 40 years.

My K2 serves two purposes:  It's my QRP field radio, and I use it in 
occasional CW contests, sometimes in QRP entry class, sometimes in LP. 
The "coefficient of usability" of the K2 is exceeded only by my K3, but 
sometimes it's a slam dunk for the K2 if I want to work a CW Sprint out 
on the deck [if you really think it's "wireless," peek behind my 
K-line].  Sometimes, I just turn to it because I like to use it ... a 
lot.  I've given up getting a mic for it.

Shortly before I retired [2000], Andrea took up Needlepoint, and became 
as addicted to it as I am to ham radio.  She proposed "Equal Hobby 
Allowances," I agreed, not knowing much about the economics of 
Needlepoint.  The kids are long gone, one of several grandsons comes up 
and drives the tractor to mow the place [and we leave some cash in his 
car, he'd come anyway but he's the one who does], the house and vehicles 
are paid off, and there's money left in the checking account at the end 
of each month.

Economics of Needlepoint:  Most of my stuff is somewhat more expensive 
than hers.  She needs waaay more of her stuff than I do of mine.  It was 
a good deal. :-)

45 years and counting.  New grandkids have ended [he says with hopeful 
certainty], they're making great grandkids now.

Firmware for the K2 is embedded in the chip, there have been a series of 
small hardware mods over the years.  The radio is pretty stable.  I 
doubt seriously Elecraft will ever tell us they won't talk to us about 
it.  A chip might not be available anymore, and my K2 may become 
e-trash, but I'm not thinking anytime soon.  I'm at the point where its 
life expectancy may exceed mine.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org