[Elecraft] Unassembled K2 Vs Assembled Marketability

[jerry]

On 2022-03-14 08:19, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote:
> I think a K2 would not be a great project for most 8 year olds.
> However, a simpler (and cheaper) kit like this one from MFJ should be
> within a beginner skill level, given some reasonable coaching. (Also a
> soldering station to avoid soldering iron frustration!)
> 
I keep meaning to show him how to solder.  Don't want him to get burned 
though.

Some simple project with blinking lights.    I also have a crystal radio 
that I built
for him.   Plan to take it apart and bundle it into a "kit" for him to 
put together.

At this point in his development, he is more interested in "how things 
look", rather
than "how they work".  He quickly gets impatient when I try to show him 
schematics.

We have soldering irons up the kazoo.  The  best one is an XYtronics 
LF-3200 - it's
a 120W soldering station with an RF-powered iron.  Just like a Metcal, 
only without
the Metcal price.  That sucker heats up in about 10 seconds.

                 - Jerry KF6VB




> https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/kit/products/vec-1340k
> <https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/kit/products/vec-1340k>
> 
> Which raises a question: what other similar kits are still around? As
> far as I know, the ones from the good old days (1990s) are defunct.
> 
> Doug, W0UHU
> 
> ---
> 
> Message: 22
> Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2022 17:44:50 -0400
> From: Kevin Cozens <kevin at ve3syb.ca <mailto:kevin at ve3syb.ca>>
> To: K2 <elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Unassembled K2 Vs Assembled Marketability
> Message-ID: <3006cfa4-f73e-efa0-93a2-f70717f91c6b at ve3syb.ca
> <mailto:3006cfa4-f73e-efa0-93a2-f70717f91c6b at ve3syb.ca>>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
> 
> On 2022-03-13 15:13, jerry wrote:
>> My 8 y/o son has been lusting after an $800 Lego kit.  A walking Star
>> Wars tank. It has something like 8000 pieces.  I explained to my wife
>> that it would reasonably keep him busy for a whole week.  But she 
>> didn't
>> see the logic :).  So we bought him a simpler kit with 1200 pieces 
>> that
>> will keep him busy for one day.
> 
> I don't know whether the K2 or the $800 Lego kit would take less time 
> to
> build but he will learn some new skills assembling the K2. The K2 could
> spark an interest that could last a lifetime where the walking Star 
> Wars
> tank could be forgotten in a few months.
> 
> --
> Cheers!
> 
> Kevin.
> 
> http://www.ve3syb.ca/ <http://www.ve3syb.ca/>               | "Nerds
> make the shiny things that
> https://www.patreon.com/KevinCozens
> <https://www.patreon.com/KevinCozens> | distract the mouth-breathers,
> and
>                                     | that's why we're powerful"
> Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172          |
> #include <disclaimer/favourite>     |             --Chris Hardwick
> 
> 
> -----------------------------
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