K2 or K3
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As some of you know, I've been looking at putting together a K2
station for portable RTTY/PSK31 operation. However, as I am looking at the cost differences, I am now wondering if I might better off with a K3. Here is my dilemma: I am disabled and unable to solder because the medications I am on make my hands shake like crazy. The person who normally builds kits for me is unable to take on this task due to family and work commitments. I have contacted three of the builders in the Elecraft community and have received quotes ranging from $350 to $450 to do what I want. Therefore, by the time I buy the kits from Elecraft and pay for assembly, I am looking at $1270 to $1370 for a basic K2 with what I need for data ops. For $1399, I can get a K3/10 with the same features plus many extras and better performance. Maybe I should also look for a used K2 but I am real picky on build quality. Any advice guys? Thanks - JT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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> Therefore, by the time I buy the kits from Elecraft and pay
> for assembly, I am looking at $1270 to $1370 for a basic K2 > with what I need for data ops. For $1399, I can get a K3/10 > with the same features plus many extras and better > performance. > Maybe I should also look for a used K2 but I am real picky > on build quality. Keep an eye on eBay. There has been a regular stream of K2's up there. I haven't been watching the selling prices closely, but you can expect to pick one up for at least 20% less than the kit price and perhaps as much as 30% off. You may end up with an accessory or two that you don't want, but you'll save a lot of money vs. buying a kit and having it built. The K2 isn't that hard to build. If it's been working for the previous owner, it will work for you. You can ask for close-up pictures if you want. The K2 is a lot different than say the old Heathkit days. With all the point-to-point wiring and stacks of components soldered to terminals, the skill of the builder could dramatically affect appearance and performance. And I don't think I ever built a Heathkit that worked right when I got done. They required a lot of debugging after they were complete. With the Elecraft kits you just build them and they work (with a few exceptions as some here will testify). But the point is I don't think there is as much variability in quality as you might find with other kits and homebrew projects. Of course, they're designed that way. :-) Craig NZ0R KX1 #1499 K1 #1966 K2/100 #4941 -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Tobias Croteau Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 7:23 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K2 or K3 As some of you know, I've been looking at putting together a K2 station for portable RTTY/PSK31 operation. However, as I am looking at the cost differences, I am now wondering if I might better off with a K3. Here is my dilemma: I am disabled and unable to solder because the medications I am on make my hands shake like crazy. The person who normally builds kits for me is unable to take on this task due to family and work commitments. I have contacted three of the builders in the Elecraft community and have received quotes ranging from $350 to $450 to do what I want. Therefore, by the time I buy the kits from Elecraft and pay for assembly, I am looking at $1270 to $1370 for a basic K2 with what I need for data ops. For $1399, I can get a K3/10 with the same features plus many extras and better performance. Maybe I should also look for a used K2 but I am real picky on build quality. Any advice guys? Thanks - JT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by JT Croteau
It is a simple answer, really. A factory built K3 and you're all set.
de Joe, aa4nn ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Tobias Croteau" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 8:23 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 or K3 > As some of you know, I've been looking at putting together a K2 > station for portable RTTY/PSK31 operation. However, as I am looking > at the cost differences, I am now wondering if I might better off with > a K3. Here is my dilemma: > > I am disabled and unable to solder because the medications I am on > make my hands shake like crazy. The person who normally builds kits > for me is unable to take on this task due to family and work > commitments. I have contacted three of the builders in the Elecraft > community and have received quotes ranging from $350 to $450 to do > what I want. > > Therefore, by the time I buy the kits from Elecraft and pay for > assembly, I am looking at $1270 to $1370 for a basic K2 with what I > need for data ops. For $1399, I can get a K3/10 with the same > features plus many extras and better performance. > > Maybe I should also look for a used K2 but I am real picky on build > quality. > > Any advice guys? > > Thanks > > - JT > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by JT Croteau
On 6/30/07, Mike Short <[hidden email]> wrote:
> The basic 10W rig is about 1400. More than the K2, though. > What were you getting with the K2? Yup, that's my dilemma. K2 + KAF2 + KSB2 + KIO2 is $925 delivered. Builders want between $350 and $450 for assembly. According to my doctor and social security, I am disabled but I refuse to accept it and the handout of free assembly from these often unappreciated builders. I simply can't hold an iron steady any more to do it myself. Base K3/10 is looking like the better option at this point. - JT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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People charge money to build a K2? I thought it was fun. I just sold my KPA100 for less then I paid for it, as I figured the person who bought it did not get the fun of building it, and that's worth something... I would do it for free, but summer is busy time for me, work, yard work, paint the sisters house, motorcycle stuff, etc. I think a used working K2 would be fine, if you did have any problems, they are easy to fix (compared to regular rigs). The K3 is likely much better in most respects, but add the options and the price goes up just like the K2... Brett N2DTS > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John > Tobias Croteau > Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 9:07 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 or K3 > > On 6/30/07, Mike Short <[hidden email]> wrote: > > The basic 10W rig is about 1400. More than the K2, though. > > What were you getting with the K2? > > Yup, that's my dilemma. K2 + KAF2 + KSB2 + KIO2 is $925 delivered. > Builders want between $350 and $450 for assembly. According to my > doctor and social security, I am disabled but I refuse to accept it > and the handout of free assembly from these often unappreciated > builders. I simply can't hold an iron steady any more to do it > myself. > > Base K3/10 is looking like the better option at this point. > > - JT > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by JT Croteau
On Sat, 30 Jun 2007, John Tobias Croteau wrote:
> On 6/30/07, Mike Short <[hidden email]> wrote: >> The basic 10W rig is about 1400. More than the K2, though. >> What were you getting with the K2? > > Yup, that's my dilemma. K2 + KAF2 + KSB2 + KIO2 is $925 delivered. > Builders want between $350 and $450 for assembly. According to my > doctor and social security, I am disabled but I refuse to accept it > and the handout of free assembly from these often unappreciated > builders. I simply can't hold an iron steady any more to do it > myself. > > Base K3/10 is looking like the better option at this point. Depends on where you are. I'd do it for free for the fun of it. There are those of us who do it for fun. -- Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email] BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by JT Croteau
One of the differences between the K2 and K3 is that, being in a bigger box,
the K3 has bigger knobs, bigger buttons and a bigger display with bigger letters. Those are a huge "so what?" for many young ops, but it sounds to me like they might making operating the K3 much more pleasant for you, not to mention all of the other features of the K3. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- As some of you know, I've been looking at putting together a K2 station for portable RTTY/PSK31 operation. However, as I am looking at the cost differences, I am now wondering if I might better off with a K3. Here is my dilemma: I am disabled and unable to solder because the medications I am on make my hands shake like crazy. The person who normally builds kits for me is unable to take on this task due to family and work commitments. I have contacted three of the builders in the Elecraft community and have received quotes ranging from $350 to $450 to do what I want. Therefore, by the time I buy the kits from Elecraft and pay for assembly, I am looking at $1270 to $1370 for a basic K2 with what I need for data ops. For $1399, I can get a K3/10 with the same features plus many extras and better performance. Maybe I should also look for a used K2 but I am real picky on build quality. Any advice guys? Thanks - JT _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On 7/1/07, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote:
> One of the differences between the K2 and K3 is that, being in a bigger box, > the K3 has bigger knobs, bigger buttons and a bigger display with bigger > letters. > > Those are a huge "so what?" for many young ops, but it sounds to me like > they might making operating the K3 much more pleasant for you, not to > mention all of the other features of the K3. > > Ron AC7AC Like tuning in 1Hz increments and being able to switch filters without the TX frequency jumping 10 - 20Hz. Data mode support always involved a few compromises in the K2. In the K3 it has been designed in from the start, even to the extent of having built-in encoding and decoding. I'd say the K3 is really the best option.73, -- Julian, G4ILO G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com K2 s/n: 392 K3 s/n: ??? www.Ham-Directory.com: the best ham resources on the net _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
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In reply to this post by Ron D'Eau Claire-2
I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, so please forgive me if
this is redundant. If I were to purchase a factory-built K3/10 would I be able to buy and add the 100 watt amp later (add it myself, that is)? Thanks Tom WB2QDG K2 #1103 (and pretty happy with it) _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Tom,
Yes, all the options, including the KPA3, are user installable. After installation you will have to go to one of the CONFIG menu options to actually activate the option. Thanks. ------------------------- 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Mon Jul 2 12:30 , "Tom McCulloch" sent: >I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, so please forgive me if >this is redundant. > >If I were to purchase a factory-built K3/10 would I be able to buy and add >the 100 watt amp later (add it myself, that is)? > >Thanks >Tom >WB2QDG >K2 #1103 (and pretty happy with it) > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Tom McCulloch
Tom,
All the PSK QSOs so far have been at 3-4 watts. A nice feature for PSK is having the focus displayed when you adjust the SHIFT control. So if on your software you have a signal at 1000 Hz, you adjust the shift control to 1.0 and narrow down the filter and you get nothing but that signal (50- Hz filter setting). If the band is VERY crowded and there's someone right next to the signal you're copying, you can adjust the shift a little more and/or use the manual notch. ------------------------- 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Jul 3 9:54 , 'Tom McCulloch' <[hidden email]> sent: >Greg, > Good to hear. Were you able to make the PSK contacts at qrp levels? I've >found with my K2 I have trouble at 5 to 10 watts. I built a small 35 watt >external amp for PSK. (the HF Packeramp - I think its called). >73 es have a nice holiday >Tom >WB2QDG > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "AB7R" [hidden email]> >To: "Tom McCulloch" [hidden email]> >Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 12:35 AM >Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3/10 and 100 > > >> No problem. Just had some nice PSK QSOs this evening and the rig >> performed >> great. >> >> 73 and save ur pennies. :) >> Greg >> AB7R >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Tom McCulloch [[hidden email]','','','')">[hidden email]] >> Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 7:47 PM >> To: [hidden email] >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 and 100 >> >> >> Hi Greg -- Thanks, now I have to start saving my pennies :) >> >> Tom >> WB2QDG >> K2 1103 >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: [hidden email]> >> To: [hidden email]>; "'Tom McCulloch'" [hidden email]> >> Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 12:43 PM >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/10 and 100 >> >> >> Tom, >> >> Yes, all the options, including the KPA3, are user installable. After >> installation >> you will have to go to one of the CONFIG menu options to actually activate >> the >> option. >> >> Thanks. >> >> ------------------------- >> 73, >> Greg - AB7R >> Whidbey Island WA >> NA-065 >> >> On Mon Jul 2 12:30 , "Tom McCulloch" sent: >> >>>I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, so please forgive me if >>>this is redundant. >>> >>>If I were to purchase a factory-built K3/10 would I be able to buy and add >>>the 100 watt amp later (add it myself, that is)? >>> >>>Thanks >>>Tom >>>WB2QDG >>>K2 #1103 (and pretty happy with it) >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>Elecraft mailing list >>>Post to: [hidden email] >>>You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >>>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> >>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >>>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/884 - Release Date: 7/2/2007 >> 3:35 PM >> >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/884 - Release Date: 7/2/2007 >> 3:35 PM >> > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by JT Croteau
On Jun 30, 2007, at 8:23 PM, John Tobias Croteau wrote: > As some of you know, I've been looking at putting together a K2 > station for portable RTTY/PSK31 operation. However, as I am looking > at the cost differences, I am now wondering if I might better off with > a K3. Go with the K3. The K2/100 has limitations on how much power you can run. In the stock configuration, you can only run about 25-40 watts safely. If you add some supplemental cooling, you can go to 50 watts. The K3/100, on the other hand, can run 100 watts continuously. It also has the option of doing FSK, if that's important. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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