Wayne,
I've been trying to convince SWMBO that I need something to keep me busy
now that I'm semi-retired, I almost have her convinced that my building
a K2 would do it, but I noticed that the pricing lasts until Jan 31st.
Are you thinking about a Valentine's Day sale too ???
73
Neil Zampella, KN3ILZ
Happy KX3/KXPA100/PX3 owner
On 1/26/2018 6:16 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
Who would spend 30 hours+ building an Elecraft K2? Well, me, for one.
I built the very first K2, not long after Eric and I sketched out the design on
napkins right in the middle of Field Day at Henry Coe state park. (Some claim
this is mythology, but I was there :) That first unit wasn’t even painted, and
we had yet to design the option modules.
Since then, nearly another 8,000 times someone else has asked that same question,
concluding that the answer was “yes." It’s worth asking why.
Features?
The K2 is very light in weight for an all-HF-band/multi-mode desktop-style rig
(3 lbs). The transmitter puts out 15 watts (100 W with the bolt-on KPA100 top
cover), and the receiver has been proven crunch-proof over many subsequent
Field Days.
Is that why this little radio--our first product--just refuses to become
obsolete?
Maybe it's the crisp sound of the 100% analog superhet RX strip. Or the
continuously tunable, variable-passband 4.9 MHz crystal filter. Or the
blazingly fast break-in CW.
Could it be ease of operation? The K2 has only the most essential
controls--excellent for first-time users--and an embarrassingly small number of
menu entries compared to most modern rigs.
But when I think back on it, now, I believe the real reason for the K2’s
popularity must be that it’s fun to build. Not just fun, but rewarding:
transforming several bags of carefully labeled bagged components and hardware
into a complete ham transceiver, then putting it on the air. (Somewhere I have
a logbook page that says “First QSO on prototype K2!” that I should frame. It
was a unique experience.)
Speaking of parts, 100% of those used in the K2 have leads. There’s nothing
wrong with surface mount construction, but leaded parts are easier to handle,
harder to lose, and more clearly labeled. This makes for a reassuring,
enjoyable assembly process, even if you’ve had just a little prior experience
building.
What got me started on this email was a quick browse through some of the over
300 reviews of the K2 posted on eHam.net:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/117
The enjoyment and pride of building really shines through. This is why Eric and
I started the company in 1998, and it’s why we still offer the K2 only as a
full kit. (Yes, you’ll need a good soldering iron. Our tech support team will
be happy to recommend one if you’re shopping around.)
Many customers have teamed up with their kids or grandkids on the build. In my
book, this beats letting them binge-watch Netflix all weekend. Even if your
co-builders aren’t hams (yet), they’ll have great fun helping you identify and
install parts.
That, in fact, is pretty easy. One of the best things about the K2 is the
assembly manual:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740001_K2%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20Rev%20I.pdf
The manual is written in tutorial style, including finer points like the
resistor color code, photos of all parts and modules, and detailed signal
tracing/troubleshooting instructions. The manual has been refined to the point
that it’s virtually foolproof. Of course if you have any difficulties, you can
always ask a question on the Elecraft reflector, day or night, or check in with
customer support.
For those of you who are just now thinking about tackling the K2, we’ve decided
to sweeten the deal a little. Consider it an early Valentine’s gift. You can
find our K2 specials near the top of this page:
http://www.elecraft.com/elecraft_prod_list.htm
I’ll leave you with this photo of two early production K2s. It was taken in
1999 from inside a VW van I used to own (the radio is reliable, the van
wasn’t). S/N 00002, in the foreground, was being operated by Eric, WA6HHQ,
except that he’s also the photographer. In the background is yours truly,
complete with a Field-Day’s worth of facial hair and tie-dyed T-shirt,
operating S/N 00001.
http://www.elecraft.com/wayne_m.jpg
73,
Wayne
N6KR
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