Is a Miata a stripped down version of an F150 pickup?
Is an F150 a Miata with room to carry drywall?
It's pretty obvious from the announcement the KX2 serves a different
purpose than the KX3. It's not a smaller anything. It's a different rig
for a different purpose.
Looks to me its lineage is more KX1 and the preceding Trail Friendly
Radios than anything else in the Elecraft line.
http://www.elecraft.com/KX1/N6KR_KX1_History.html
There's an evolution of rigs you should be comparing it to.
Eric KE6US
On 5/23/2016 7:25 PM, w7aqk wrote:
Hi All,
The ink is barely dry on the release announcement for the KX2, but it
has created quite a stir. A lot of people are very curious about this
rig, including me. As a KX3 owner already, I'm not chomping at the
bit to get a KX2, but I am trying to discern just what the meaningful
differences are.
I think it is intriguing that Elecraft chose to make it's new rig a
"downsized" version of the KX3. I can certainly see how this has
stimulated a lot of interest. What I'm trying to figure out is
whether or not it does anything better than the KX3, or is it just a
smaller, and less capable, radio. At this point, I'm inclined to
think the latter. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but that seems
to be a better generalization. Nonetheless, what you give up with a
KX2 may not outweigh what you might gain with a KX3--it depends solely
on the user.
The KX2 is definitely smaller (about half the volume) and lighter,
although the footprint is not quite that much different. The price is
lighter too! As a true portable radio, I see this as a nice
advantage. SOTA ops probably will really appreciate this! You still
have a very competent radio with just about all the features a
portable op would want or need.
The things you give up are not insignificant. There is a slight power
differential, which may, or may not, be a concern. Possibly more of a
concern might be not having roofing filters. I've become a huge fan
of having those. Also, losing access to 160 and 6 meters may be
problematic for some. I'm not all that concerned about no AM or FM,
but others might be. With the emphasis on being a "hand held" radio,
some may lament no VHF/UHF as well.
I can only guess at the decreased capability of the optional ATU. The
one for the KX2 may still be sufficient for most needs, but I just
hate to see less capability. Elecraft ATU's in the K3 and KX3 are
great, and I guess I just get nervous about less. The ATU's in the
KX1 and K1 were only moderately useful, and it was their reduced size
that caused that. Elecraft can obviously put out superb ATU's, but
they need some room to do that.
I was disappointed to see that the PX3 would not mate with the KX2.
In their "FAQ's", Elecraft sort of deflects that by simply suggesting
that capability is more appropriate for a larger rig, like the KX3 or
K3, but I'm still disappointed. Personally, I think it would have
been a big plus if they could have made it work, but again, just not
enough room in that smaller package--or I assume that was the
problem. Or, maybe it was to just hold the cost down???
I know a lot of K3 owners, who also have KX3's, and have found the KX3
to be a very effective substitute/back-up in their main station.
Lately I've been tinkering with that same process, and it works pretty
darned well. However, I'm not sure the KX2 is nearly as good a
substitute, or back-up. The lesser capabilities described above would
explain much of that. I still much prefer the K3, but I don't give up
all that much with the KX3. It's a great reason to own both!
So, how do you describe the difference in ten words or less? Is the
KX2 a stripped down version of the KX3, or is the KX3 a deluxe KX2?
In any event, there are sufficient differences to require some
analysis if you are trying to pick one over the other. If I didn't
already have a KX3 I could probably get a headache trying to make that
decision. Either way you go you are probably a "winner!" The "easy"
way may be to just conclude you want both, and apparently some have
already made that decision! I'm not sure that would be my decision,
but hey, I haven't had my hands on a KX2 yet either! Hi.
I'll be very interested in seeing some real in-depth reviews of the KX2.
73,
Dave W7AQK
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