[Elecraft] The KX2

[Phil Wheeler]

Dale,

You closed with "I'll be very interested in seeing 
some real in-depth reviews of the KX2."  I am 
surprised we've seen few if any comments here from 
early owners of the KX2, even though I think I 
read that 50 were sold in Dayton. True, there are 
now five reviews at eham 
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12852 -- and 
one even mentions success with JT-65 -- but those 
all seem to be from field testers.

73, Phil W7OX

On 5/23/16 7:25 PM, w7aqk 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