[Elecraft] New ham but seasoned CW r/o, between classic K2 and progressive KX3

[Ariel Jacala]

I am a relatively new ham - licensed in 2009 as a Tech and Extra in 2010.  My two cents and being a 96% CW Op (3000 QSOs in 3+ years with only 20 or so SSB QSOs), if I had to do it all over again and having the opportunity to buy a KX3 or a K2 at the same time - I would buy the KX3 (hands down).  At the time I bought the K2, the KX3 was not around.  The K2 is a good rig and at the time it was designed 10 years ago, no one came close to its overall capability.  Now, the KX3 is in its shoes.  From the pure enjoyment of operating, casual contesting, field day, and especially the SDR capabilities, the KX3 wins in my book.  I still have the K2 and still enjoy operating it.  These days, I just keep reaching for the KX3.  
I guess if you don't care about SDR, and SSB or PSK and other digital modes - then the K1 could be the minimalist ticket.  The K2 would have more bands (even without the SSB option), and would have 10 and 12 m (not possible on the K1). 
The KX3 just allows all the options to be open if and when the time comes for them.
Ariel NY4GDXCC-QRPWAS-QRPSKCC TribuneKX3 #1211K2 #7105
> From: ad at broadweave.net
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 11:23:21 -0600
> Subject: [Elecraft] New ham but seasoned CW r/o,	between classic K2 and progressive KX3
> 
>  
> 
> Hello,
> 
>  
> 
> I am a new ham, retired, and this is a kind of bucket list thing: I might
> have one or two years left and want to get back into CW that I know well
> from my time in the (German) Navy. I have been looking hard at a K2 and
> would be able to build it but that would not be the reason to get it. Life
> is short and I'd prefer to just assemble a KX3. What I like about the K2 is
> that it is designed for CW, and I would not add SSB, nor the amp, but the
> ATU. 
> 
>  
> 
> I also own a dual band HT, which I use for local ARES volunteer work and
> scanning the PD band. Other than that, I'm not really into verbal rag
> chewing, be it local or DX (blame my snotty CW attitude).
> 
>  
> 
> Only today did I realize what the KX3 is. Assembling it would be just fine.
> While the smaller size is not necessarily a buying point for me, I wouldn't
> mind it (I will take it outdoors). What I don't really need or want are the
> other modes (SSB, data, and SDR), so I wonder whether I am getting the wrong
> radio with a KX3 that is not a dedicated CW machine.
> 
>  
> 
> If all I did were CW, with DX ambitions nevertheless, which do you think
> would be the better radio for me? 
> 
>  
> 
> Thank you in advance for your suggestions and ideas, and also further
> questions, if you have them.
> 
>  
> 
> 73,
> 
>  
> 
> Arno
> 
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