[Elecraft] Buying K2 or KX3

[Phil Wheeler]

I agree with Ted. Building my K2 from 1999-2003 
(as new options like SSB and 100 W came 
available), with various updates and mods into 
2014, was one of the best experiences I've had in 
ham radio. With the dominance of SMT in today's 
designs, the K2 may have been the last major kit 
of that type, alas.

But if Jim is buying a rig for QRP ops vs. the 
building experience, the KX3 wins by a pretty wide 
margin IMO.

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/24/16 8:06 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:
> If you were also thinking about buying new, and if you enjoy the building
> process, the KX3 and the K2 are entirely different experiences.  I¹ve
> built both, plus the K3 and a number of accessories (PX3, P3, etc.)
> Building a KX3 kit is essentially nut-and-bolt assembly of pre-made
> pieces.  Interesting to do but not much of a challenge.  The K2 is a
> challenge, and for me was a rewarding learning experience.  I haven¹t had
> the K2 nearly long enough to offer any comparisons of the two rigs¹
> operations - indeed, so far I have hardly used it on the air at all.  But
> if building interests you, I would encourage you to consider the K2.  I
> personally would not have bought a K2 pre-built.
>
> Ted, KN1CBR
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 17
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:50:32 -0500
> From: "J. Fielden" <gijoe1644 at gmail.com>
> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Buying k2 or kx3
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAPYNyaJTmz6yjtpP1cEgwoFS993GrKD9XpTr51WEeadvUVsgfA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
> weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
> just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
> 200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
> observations
>
> Thanks, 73
> Jim, wa4ar
>
>