[Elecraft] Future KX3/KX2 accessories?

[Don Wilhelm]

With 2m/70cm FM handhelds on the market selling for $35 to $100, I would 
think it unwise for Elecraft to attempt to delve into that market, even 
if it included multi-mode.

Yes, an All-Mode 2m/70cm transceiver would be attractive (and they 
exist), but I suspect the current price point for those transceivers 
would not be attractive to Elecraft.

In addition, Elecraft is dedicated to quality products, while the 
current competition does not seem to be similarly dedicated - "sell them 
as cheaply as you can" and hope the sales volume will make up for the 
deficiencies seems to be the current focus.

It seems to me that most activity on 2M/70cm is FM, and those doing 
other modes are a select (small) group.

So if you are among those who desire SSB, CW, and modes other than FM on 
2m/70CM, then let your voices be heard, but until there is a significant 
amount of operating those bands in your favorite style, your choices of 
ready built equipment will be small.

As a parallel, I recall when I was starting out in ham radio (1950s) 
that there was little commercial gear for VHF (50MHz and above).  Those 
who delved into VHF operation were experimenters and pioneers who built 
their own transmitters and receivers.  At that time the Technician Class 
license was one for experimenters, and not an entry license.

The Heathkit 6er and 2er changed some of that and opened the VHF 
spectrum to many more hams - that was AM rather than FM.

73,
Don W3FPR

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/30/2017 6:06 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> The 2M option for the KX3 supports transmit at about 3W output. See:
> <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3-2M%20FAQ.htm>
>
> Let me add, there are a lot of new hams with tech licenses. Many of them
> came to ham radio from an interest in community services ARES/RACES etc.
> They primarily use 2M and 70cm FM repeaters and simplex. It would be
> good for the hobby to have a radio which supported these FM uses and
> opened the possibility of other modes and bands. The Yaesu 8900 almost
> meets this requirement, except it only does FM. There is a very useful
> tech SSB subband on 10M which this radio just misses supporting.
>
> I'm sure that some of them would want a high quality, US built, radio
> that met their needs plus a little. Call it, "The gateway radio".