[Elecraft] Questions about KX2 possible purchase

[na5n at zianet.com]

Doug Daniels writes:

> My questions are, does the $829.95 price include a battery and tuner. The
> web site isn't clear.

I bought mine with the internal battery and charger, and the ATU.  That  
way, let the factory install them and check them out.

> If a battery is included, is a second one a wise purchase?

I have done a few SOTA summits and many QRPTTF and the like field  
operations.  The cited 8-hours on the battery is very accurate.  I have  
found no need for a second internal battery.  You just seldom sit on a SOTA  
summit or a field event for 8 hours.  Even running at 10W, you get a good 6  
hours.

The KX2 has a barrel jack for external DC power, which it can be run off of  
in the shack, or for an external battery in the field if desired.

> If the tuner isn't included, how necessary is the tuner (I have an end fed
> 80 and am building an end fed 40).

I would recommend it.  I have built no-tune antennas for portable use, only  
to find a higher than I want SWR once I get to the field or the SOTA  
location.  There is no electrical ground to speak of on a mountain peak, so  
an antenna will tune different there than your back yard.  The ATU is so  
convenient compared to piddling with wire lengths and radials in the field  
to get it tuned and low SWR just to get on the air.

> What else is not included that I should be considering?

The KXPD2 paddles are also very convenient.  No need to haul around  
separate paddles for field operations when you have one right on the front  
of the rig.  The paddles, plus the front panel SPEED control, makes it  
snappy to change CW speed when needed.

I bought mine when first released.  It works like new, as advertised, and a  
hearty rig even for SOTA and other less-than-ideal situations.

GL with yours.

72, Paul NA5N