[Elecraft] Visit to Elecraft HQ worthwhile?

[Terry Brown]

I apologize in advance for the length of this post.  

I had been an SSB operator exclusively since I became a ham in 1982. I went QRT for 7 years, because SSB grew stale for me. A little over 3 years ago I decided to dust off my incredibly rusty/nonexistent CW skills and bought a preowned K2.  I had never heard of Elecraft before I reconnected with my CW friends who all had Elecraft rigs.   

Now I own a KX2 for portable use, KX3, PX3, and KXPA100 for my base station.  At 72 years old I decided to treat myself to  my first world-class rig by becoming a member of the first shipment group for the K4.    

The reason I give this background is because my 4 year journey to become a dedicated cw rag chewer, comfortable at 20-30 wpm came about in part  because of my love of operating my Elecraft rigs.   My renewed love of ham radio and CW is intertwined with Elecraft and with what Wayne and Eric have created.  

I will be driving from OR to So. Cal. in March on Hwy. 1.   I see it runs within a stone’s throw of Elecraft’s HQ in Watsonville.  

For those of you who have been there before, is it a worthwhile stop?   I don’t expect to see Eric or Wayne there if I stop, but at a minimum I would like to thank their fine staff for creating what has become an integral part of renewing my love of our great hobby. 

73,

Terry, N7TB