[Elecraft] The KX2

Tue May 24 00:04:36 EDT 2016

Wow, ten words or less is tough, like writing a haiku :-)
"Smaller KX3 with fewer bands, no panadapter, no roofing filter".
There, that's 10 words. Note that even without a roofing filter, the performance is still excellent, and its compact size makes it the perfect little "grab-n-go" radio.
73, Matt VK2RQ

On Mon, May 23, 2016 at 7:25 PM -0700, "w7aqk" <w7aqk at cox.net> wrote:

Hi All,

The ink is barely dry on the release announcement for the KX2, but it has 
created quite a stir.  A lot of people are very curious about this rig, 
including me.  As a KX3 owner already, I'm not chomping at the bit to get a 
KX2, but I am trying to discern just what the meaningful differences are.

I think it is intriguing that Elecraft chose to make it's new rig a 
"downsized" version of the KX3.  I can certainly see how this has stimulated 
a lot of interest.  What I'm trying to figure out is whether or not it does 
anything better than the KX3, or is it just a smaller, and less capable, 
radio.  At this point, I'm inclined to think the latter.  That's not 
necessarily a bad thing, but that seems to be a better generalization. 
Nonetheless, what you give up with a KX2 may not outweigh what you might 
gain with a KX3--it depends solely on the user.

The KX2 is definitely smaller (about half the volume) and lighter, although 
the footprint is not quite that much different.  The price is lighter too! 
As a true portable radio, I see this as a nice advantage.  SOTA ops probably 
will really appreciate this!  You still have a very competent radio with 
just about all the features a portable op would want or need.

The things you give up are not insignificant.  There is a slight power 
differential, which may, or may not, be a concern.  Possibly more of a 
concern might be not having roofing filters.  I've become a huge fan of 
having those.  Also, losing access to 160 and 6 meters may be problematic 
for some.  I'm not all that concerned about no AM or FM, but others might 
be.  With the emphasis on being a "hand held" radio, some may lament no 
VHF/UHF as well.

I can only guess at the decreased capability of the optional ATU.  The one 
for the KX2 may still be sufficient for most needs, but I just hate to see 
less capability.  Elecraft ATU's in the K3 and KX3 are great, and I guess I 
just get nervous about less.  The ATU's in the KX1 and K1 were only 
moderately useful, and it was their reduced size that caused that.  Elecraft 
can obviously put out superb ATU's, but they need some room to do that.

I was disappointed to see that the PX3 would not mate with the KX2.  In 
their "FAQ's", Elecraft sort of deflects that by simply suggesting that 
capability is more appropriate for a larger rig, like the KX3 or K3, but I'm 
still disappointed.  Personally, I think it would have been a big plus if 
they could have made it work, but again, just not enough room in that 
smaller package--or I assume that was the problem.  Or, maybe it was to just 
hold the cost down???

I know a lot of K3 owners, who also have KX3's, and have found the KX3 to be 
a very effective substitute/back-up in their main station.  Lately I've been 
tinkering with that same process, and it works pretty darned well.  However, 
I'm not sure the KX2 is nearly as good a substitute, or back-up.  The lesser 
capabilities described above would explain much of that.  I still much 
prefer the K3, but I don't give up all that much with the KX3.  It's a great 
reason to own both!

So, how do you describe the difference in ten words or less?  Is the KX2 a 
stripped down version of the KX3, or is the KX3 a deluxe KX2?  In any event, 
there are sufficient differences to require some analysis if you are trying 
to pick one over the other.  If I didn't already have a KX3 I could probably 
get a headache trying to make that decision.  Either way you go you are 
probably a "winner!"  The "easy" way may be to just conclude you want both, 
and apparently some have already made that decision!  I'm not sure that 
would be my decision, but hey, I haven't had my hands on a KX2 yet either! 
Hi.

I'll be very interested in seeing some real in-depth reviews of the KX2.

73,

Dave W7AQK

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to matt.vk2rq at gmail.com