[Icom] Rig advice

[George, W5YR]

-----Original Message-----
From: icom-admin@mailman.qth.net [mailto:icom-admin@mailman.qth.net]On
Behalf Of Eddy Avila
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 8:48 AM
To: icom@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Icom] Rig advice


Thanks again George for your insights into the K2!!! It really helps to hear
from guys that don't mind presenting a more realistic picture of the K2 and
Elecraft -- otherwise I'd have to spend the money on one to find out it
doesn't meet my expectations!

You're welcome, Eddy. One advantage (or drawback) to being a retired
engineer is that I tend to approach rig evaluations on the basis of
technical performance and functionality rather than blind obeisance to a
brand name. There are NO perfect radios nor do I believe that there are any
radios which will "do it all." And there are no perfect companies. There are
things that my 13 year-old IC-765 will do better than my nearly new PRO2;
and the K2 is better in certain respects that either of them. Maybe it is
that attitude that accounts for so many different radios on my operating
desk!  <:}

Having said that, however, if I had to give up all but one of my radios, the
PRO2 would be the one remaining on the desk.

A couple of points re the K2 and other Elecraft products: they are simply
elegant in the true engineering sense of the word. As a company, they
support their products and customers in the best possible manner. But the
kits are costly and the time involved in their construction is not trivial.
And the hard part for many potential K2 sellers to understand and accept is
that selling a K2 with possibly 100+ construction hours in the system is
likely to return less than the cost of the kits alone. This situation is no
different from any manufactured rig which loses considerable value once it
leaves the dealer's shelf. But many K2 sellers tend to have a serious
emotional involvement with the radio and find it hard to not receive any
payment for all that work.

I (and the xyl) always wonder why I need to buy something else given when I
was a novice in the early 60's I learned to do well with an old Layfette
general coverage receiver (filters, what filters?!) and Knight T60 Xmtr and
I managed to work the world with this setup....Well, the answer of course
is: after all these years you'd think I deserve a new toy once in a while
(at least, this is my argument I make to my wife! HI)....

I understand and fully agree, Eddy - if you can't have those toys now, then
when? But, don't equate using a K2 with the "poor boy" approach that many of
us were forced to take in the beginning. In some ways, the K2 is a minimal
radio, but if it had been packaged in a larger cabinet, etc. to give the
impression of "more radio for the buck" its performance would seem more in
keeping with its size, etc. As it is, the small package is a major
convenience but it also belies the quality and performance disguised in that
little box.

I think I'll watch the used market for a K2 and wait to find one cheap
enough to buy and play with then if I don't like it just sell it.

Not a bad idea, but remember that these are almost entirely built by the
person doing the selling. If the rig works, and works well, that is almost
proof positive that it was constructed correctly and with a degree of
workmanship. But, there are builders and then there are  builders. For many,
the K2 might well be one of the first kits they have constructed and the
workmanship might leave a little to be desired. Fortunately, the
construction and parts are such that almost anything can be done to the rig
in the way of repair or modifications should problems arise. Just be a
little leery of a used K2 purchase if you do not know the builder . . .

Glad that I was able to be of some help.

73/72, George
Amateur Radio W5YR -  the Yellow Rose of Texas
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13QE
"In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better!"