Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?

[Marinos]

Hi Guys,
Let me re-phrase my original proposal / suggestion about a "K3" design with
all the features mentioned in my original post:
Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more
expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF
coverage, preselector, no birdies etc). Also assume that the "K3"s
performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2 and its price not
prohibitive.

How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ?? Would
the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that
he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic
performance ?

My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong.

73,
Marinos, ki4gin


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[EricJ-2]

You posed two questions, but it isn't at all clear which one you answered
with your last sentence.

My guess is that if Elecraft were to go toe-to-toe, feature-by-feature
against the Big Three, they would lose. They would spend all their resources
slogging it out for infinitismal increases in market share against larger,
better funded, better known companies. And for what?

Better to make your OWN market...that's what niche marketing is all about.
Elecraft has clearly identified their niched. The rigs they design aren't
for everyone. Neither is a rotary engine car.

Personally, I bought the K2 because the basic performance is outstanding,
and it has the features I value. Would I buy a "K3" with all the features
the Japanese rigs have? Definitely not. I bought the K2 to get out from
under all that marketing-derived crap that I never use. And I bought it
already built because I don't value building it myself.

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----

Subject: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?

Hi Guys,
Let me re-phrase my original proposal / suggestion about a "K3" design with
all the features mentioned in my original post:
Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more
expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF
coverage, preselector, no birdies etc). Also assume that the "K3"s
performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2 and its price not
prohibitive.

How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ?? Would
the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that
he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic
performance ?

My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong.

73,
Marinos, ki4gin
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[Phillip Lontz]

It show up at the Elecraft web site??

I just gotta know...
Phil
Santa Fe
K2 1264 plus the heater


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[Phillip Lontz]

On 5/20/05 10:04 PM, "Phil Townsend" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It show up at the Elecraft web site??
>
> I just gotta know...
> Phil
> Santa Fe
> K2 1264 plus the heater
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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[N2EY]

In a message dated 5/20/05 9:14:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:


> Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more
> expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF
> coverage, preselector, no birdies etc).

OK - I have no doubt that Eric & Wayne could do it.

Also assume that the "K3"s
>
> performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2

Not so easy. K2's single-conversion design, short signal path and unusual PLL
system put hamband performance first, at the expense of other features.
Different tradeoffs mean different payoffs. I prefer the Elecraft tradeoffs.

 and its price not
>
> prohibitive.
>

That's the real kicker. What price is "prohibitive" for such a rig - $2000?
$3000? Price out a full-up K2/100, then see what the parts alone would cost you
in small quantities.  A K3 would have to cost more.


> How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ??

Depends on the price.

 Would
>
> the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that
> he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic
> performance ?

No telling what most hams would do. Some would build, others would never even
consider it. The price alone would deter many others. How many hams per year
buy new 100W transceivers of any kind?
>
> My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong.
>
>

Agreed.

Also, while the K2/100 box is full, there are still growth paths for the K2.
Changes in FCC rules may allow Elecraft to put the 100W amp and its tuner in a
separate box (already done by some homebrewers). Maximum flexibility, minimum
weight/size.

Or the K2's insides could be implemented in a bigger box. I have considered
doing this as a homebrew project. New sheet metal, new control board with
bigger knobs, controls and displays, nothing irreversible.

My impression of K2 is that it was designed to be the ultimate QRP CW ham
rig. All else is add-ons. That's the opposite of the design philosophy of almost
all other hamrigs since the KWM-2, which are primarily SSB rigs that have CW
tacked on.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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[Bill Coleman-2]

On May 20, 2005, at 9:14 PM, Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D. wrote:

>
> How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ??

Of Elecraft builders? I'd say only a few. A "K3" would be a great  
rig. Even though we can only speculate on the features or price range  
of such a hypothetical rig, I'd be sorely tempted to add one to my  
shack, right next to my K2.

> Would the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a  
> (K3) rig that he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with  
> inferior basic performance ?

Building is still a big hurdle. Witness all of the "I'll build it for  
you" guys out there. One guy on this list has built more than 80 rigs!


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: [hidden email]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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[Phillip Lontz]

Is easy on batteries , fits into my wallet, and is a kit or close to a kit.

The MFJ is fine but way to big etc. Ive tried some of the others but no
sale...
The Elecraft Analyzer would work just fine... Please send me one...

Phil
Santa Fe


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[N2TK]

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces+tony.kaz=[hidden email]
[mailto:elecraft-bounces+tony.kaz=[hidden email]]On Behalf Of
Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D.
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 9:14 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?

Hi Guys,
Let me re-phrase my original proposal / suggestion about a "K3" design with
all the features mentioned in my original post:
Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more
expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF
coverage, preselector, no birdies etc).
Many of us don't think these features are "useless". Some of these
accessories can make the difference in making a QSO and/or make working
someone easier
Also assume that the "K3"s
performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2 and its price not
prohibitive.
What's "prohibitive"? A recent thread on the new Elecraft amp brought out
comments in regards to a price that hasn't even been established yet by
Elecraft. The "prohibitive" price for the amp seemed to have quite a range
by the comments.


How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ??
Wouldn't that depend on features, performance, and price comparison?
 Would
the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that
he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic
performance ?
Again, it's the features, performance and price thing. Not all hams want or
need all the bells and whistles. That's why we have the gamut of rigs being
sold from the low end to the high end and from low power to max power. Each
of us has our own "needs". For some of us the kit thing is an option. Some
of us built the K2 in order to get the things we wanted in the K2. Some
build the K2 just to build it.


My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong.

73,
Marinos, ki4gin
#3481
N2TK, Tony





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