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Buying k2 or kx3

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J. Fielden

Buying k2 or kx3

hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
observations

Thanks, 73
Jim, wa4ar

--
72/73, Jim - wa4ar
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James Bennett

Re: Buying k2 or kx3

Jim -

I’ve owned both rigs. The K2 was a very nice radio, but IMHO, the KX3 blows it away. Your options are far more extensive. If you do want to operate SSB or digital some time in the future - it is built in right from the get-go; no additional boards to install and mess with. Want a band display / pan-adapter? Simple to use with the free NaP3 software on Windows, or with the plug and play PX3. I sold my K2 about six or seven years ago to finance the purchase of a K3. I subsequently added a KX3/PX3 to my station and while I did enjoy that K2, this KX3/PX3 combination is a much better option - for me anyway!

I use my KX3 about 99% for CW, although I have made several SSB, PSK31, and JT65 contacts with it.

Jim / W6JHB
Folsom, CA

> On Saturday, Jan 23, 2016, at Saturday, 8:50 AM, J. Fielden <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
> weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
> just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
> 200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
> observations
>
> Thanks, 73
> Jim, wa4ar
>
>
> --
> 72/73, Jim - wa4ar
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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ae5ka

Re: Buying k2 or kx3

In reply to this post by J. Fielden

If your primary concern is performance, the KX3 is your answer.

You should be able to find a QRP only K2 with ATU for $600-700. An
equivalent KX2 will be over $1000.

I have a KX3 and a K2, but use the K2 as my base station and only rarely
use the KX3 at home. Something about a rig I have/can repair and maintain
myself that makes it appealing, and in day to day operations it doesn't
give up much to the KX3.

72
Chip
AE5KA

On Sat, Jan 23, 2016 at 10:50 AM, J. Fielden <[hidden email]> wrote:

> hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
> weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
> just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
> 200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
> observations
>
> Thanks, 73
> Jim, wa4ar
>
>
> --
> 72/73, Jim - wa4ar
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Edward A. Dauer

Buying K2 or KX3

In reply to this post by J. Fielden

If you were also thinking about buying new, and if you enjoy the building
process, the KX3 and the K2 are entirely different experiences. I¹ve
built both, plus the K3 and a number of accessories (PX3, P3, etc.)
Building a KX3 kit is essentially nut-and-bolt assembly of pre-made
pieces. Interesting to do but not much of a challenge. The K2 is a
challenge, and for me was a rewarding learning experience. I haven¹t had
the K2 nearly long enough to offer any comparisons of the two rigs¹
operations - indeed, so far I have hardly used it on the air at all. But
if building interests you, I would encourage you to consider the K2. I
personally would not have bought a K2 pre-built.

Ted, KN1CBR

------------------------------

Message: 17
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:50:32 -0500
From: "J. Fielden" <[hidden email]>
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Buying k2 or kx3
Message-ID:
<[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
observations

Thanks, 73
Jim, wa4ar

--
72/73, Jim - wa4ar

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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Buying K2 or KX3

I agree with Ted. Building my K2 from 1999-2003
(as new options like SSB and 100 W came
available), with various updates and mods into
2014, was one of the best experiences I've had in
ham radio. With the dominance of SMT in today's
designs, the K2 may have been the last major kit
of that type, alas.

But if Jim is buying a rig for QRP ops vs. the
building experience, the KX3 wins by a pretty wide
margin IMO.

73, Phil W7OX

On 1/24/16 8:06 AM, Dauer, Edward wrote:

> If you were also thinking about buying new, and if you enjoy the building
> process, the KX3 and the K2 are entirely different experiences. I¹ve
> built both, plus the K3 and a number of accessories (PX3, P3, etc.)
> Building a KX3 kit is essentially nut-and-bolt assembly of pre-made
> pieces. Interesting to do but not much of a challenge. The K2 is a
> challenge, and for me was a rewarding learning experience. I haven¹t had
> the K2 nearly long enough to offer any comparisons of the two rigs¹
> operations - indeed, so far I have hardly used it on the air at all. But
> if building interests you, I would encourage you to consider the K2. I
> personally would not have bought a K2 pre-built.
>
> Ted, KN1CBR
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 17
> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2016 11:50:32 -0500
> From: "J. Fielden" <[hidden email]>
> To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Buying k2 or kx3
> Message-ID:
> <[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> hello all, new to the list, hoping to buy a k2 or kx3 within next couple
> weeks. I was hoping to find used k2, but seems like all the ones I find are
> just couple hundred less than used kx3. Seems like the kx3 is well worth
> 200 more. I only do Cw / Qrp , and just looking for opinions, thoughts
> observations
>
> Thanks, 73
> Jim, wa4ar
>
>