Decisions, Decisions buy a K2 or wait for a KX3??

[AF6NI]

Well I have the money in the bank and there is not a heck of a lot of difference in the price of the K2 and KX3 so it's decision time. Do I buy a K2 or get in line for a KX3?

I am looking forward to the building process, so that speaks for the K2. I imagine, even in kit form that the KX3 is not much of a challenge - just plugging in a bunch of pre-assembled boards. On the other hand the KX3 is state of the art and the K2 is over ten years old.

What are your thoughts?

73.
Joe

[Don Wilhelm-4]

Joe,

Actually -- depending on the K2 option set you would choose, the KX3
could be less expensive than the K2.
But if your desire is to build by soldering parts on a board and winding
toroids, then the K2 will be your choice.  Building the KX3 is more
about mechanical assembly - there is no soldering.

If your desire is to solder kits, take a look at the Elecraft
mini-modules.  There are a number of very useful kits available - for
instance, every ham station needs a dummy load, and the XG2 (or XG3) is
a good tool for calibrating the S-meter.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/29/2012 9:43 AM, af6ni wrote:

> Well I have the money in the bank and there is not a heck of a lot of
> difference in the price of the K2 and KX3 so it's decision time. Do I buy a
> K2 or get in line for a KX3?
>
> I am looking forward to the building process, so that speaks for the K2. I
> imagine, even in kit form that the KX3 is not much of a challenge - just
> plugging in a bunch of pre-assembled boards. On the other hand the KX3 is
> state of the art and the K2 is over ten years old.
>
>

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[R Thompson]

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[Andrew Moore-3]

Joe -

The performance of each of these radios is so good that important (perhaps
more so) to consider 1) what you'll be doing with them and 2) what your
operating "aesthetic" is.

For me the strength of the K2 is high performance simplicity, for CW
operation, in a low-power, analog, user-serviceable design. Despite its age
it doesn't feel outdated to me.

The KX3: More modes, more bands, more easily expandable/flexible (software
defined), digital features (NR, DSP, APF, ...), more portable, and if it's
K3-like, perhaps a smoother, more quality feel to the UI.

Elecraft has (again) designed two different radios with little overlap
(though each one could probably work fine as your only station).

Andrew, NV1B
..

On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:43 AM, af6ni <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Well I have the money in the bank and there is not a heck of a lot of
> difference in the price of the K2 and KX3 so it's decision time. Do I buy a
> K2 or get in line for a KX3?
>
>
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[Cookie]

The radios are very different and both are good.  Wrack your brain and decide which one you want!  The wait time for a KX3 will pass and you will forget about it, but whatever radio you buy will stay the same.  Get the one that fits YOUR needs and wants.  I waited 17 years for a radio that I thought would be better than my TS-850 then waited 6 months for Elecraft to ship my K3.  I am not sorry!
 
Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart


________________________________
 From: af6ni <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2012 8:43 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Decisions, Decisions buy a K2 or wait for a KX3??
 
Well I have the money in the bank and there is not a heck of a lot of
difference in the price of the K2 and KX3 so it's decision time. Do I buy a
K2 or get in line for a KX3?

I am looking forward to the building process, so that speaks for the K2. I
imagine, even in kit form that the KX3 is not much of a challenge - just
plugging in a bunch of pre-assembled boards. On the other hand the KX3 is
state of the art and the K2 is over ten years old.

What are your thoughts?

73.
Joe

--
View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Decisions-Decisions-buy-a-K2-or-wait-for-a-KX3-tp7511085.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[geoff allsup]

Save more pennies - buy both!   My K2 was a fun build, and I still have
an option or two to add; the K2 has a long term future in my shack.  
And my KX3 kit is on order....can hardly wait!

geoff - W1OH

On 4/29/12 9:43 AM, af6ni wrote:

> Well I have the money in the bank and there is not a heck of a lot of
> difference in the price of the K2 and KX3 so it's decision time. Do I buy a
> K2 or get in line for a KX3?
>
> I am looking forward to the building process, so that speaks for the K2. I
> imagine, even in kit form that the KX3 is not much of a challenge - just
> plugging in a bunch of pre-assembled boards. On the other hand the KX3 is
> state of the art and the K2 is over ten years old.
>
> What are your thoughts?
>
> 73.
> Joe
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Decisions-Decisions-buy-a-K2-or-wait-for-a-KX3-tp7511085.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--
*************************************************************
Geoff Allsup, W1OH          [hidden email] or [hidden email]
Senior Engineer                 Upper Ocean Processes Group
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution      Woods Hole, MA, USA
*************************************************************

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[AF6NI]

Thanks to all who replied. I've pretty well decided that the build for me is as much fun as operating, so I'll probably go the k2 route now. Maybe a kx3 later.

Now comes the hard part - telling the xyl that I'm running up the credit card for ANOTHER radio!