[Elecraft] Elecraft and expandability

[Jim Lowman]

Since I probably started the "cheap hams" thread with my comments about 
Visalia, maybe I should help to refocus the discourse.

Dave brings up a good point about Elecraft products.  From the K2 at the 
beginning, it was possible to buy a very basic (I won't say 
stripped-down) radio and expand it as operational needs dictate and the 
budget allows.

Maybe a ham couldn't afford a full-blown K3 with all of the options 
initially, but he could squeeze enough out of the budget to buy a K3/10. 
  Added savings could be had by ordering the kit version.  Eventually he 
could add the needed modules to finish the job.

Try that with any of the "Big Three" manufacturers of ham gear.  The new 
synth boards are a good example.  With Yaecomwood, the newer version of 
the K3 would be the "K3-Plus," for example.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

On 4/21/2015 10:51 PM, dyarnes wrote:
> Ken and all,

> Where I think a lot of hams make their mistake is by "under-buying".
> They may opt for a somewhat lesser product, or a stripped down product,
> when it truth they really need a somewhat upgraded version (or a
> different item altogether) to really satisfy their needs.  So, later
> they have to upgrade, and at an increased cost, or at least increased
> inconvenience.  It's not that they couldn't really afford the upgrade at
> first, but they haven't really thought things through adequately.

> Dave W7AQK