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Re: Availability

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Availability

Good Morning

I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station.

I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements.

Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age.

I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock.

To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair.

Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment?

Any thoughts ?

Thank you Tommy Judson
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Alan - G4GNX

Re: Availability

Depends what you actually want to purchase from Elecraft.

If it's a K4, then you've probably just seen the latest estimated lead
lead times and they're for those that already have firm orders placed.

They do seem to have stock of 'other' radios, which they're currently
shipping. One thing I do know about Elecraft is if you put money on the
table and something goes wrong (such as a pandemic <grin> they will do
the honorable thing, so you'll either get a refund or the goods. Other
companies are not so customer orientated and a few will actually steal
from you.

If Elecraft can't supply (say) a K3S, you could consider the used
market, then when the K4 finally ships, you could either sell the K3S
for more-or-less what you paid for it or if you're 'well heeled' you
could just keep it as a standby rig.

I'm in the UK, so it doesn't particularly matter to me which country my
rigs come from and shipping is about the same, but a) I can't buy direct
from any other company. b) When I'm in trouble, I don't have direct
access to the owners of the other companies, in fact direct access to
any of the staff of other companies is next to zero. c) Elecraft support
is second to none. Direct support from other companies is often mediocre
to zero. d) I don't know about other company's staff as I never get to
speak to them, but Elecraft are such a nice bunch of people! (Eric can I
have a K4 please hehehehehehe).

73,

Alan. G4GNX

------ Original Message ------
From: "Tommy Judson via Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
To: "Edward via Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: 16/05/2020 11:56:50
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Availability

>
>Good Morning
>
>I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station.
>
>I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements.
>
>Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age.
>
>I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock.
>
>To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair.
>
>Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment?
>
>Any thoughts ?
>
>Thank you Tommy Judson
>______________________________________________________________
>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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Ian, NV4C

Re: Availability

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Tommy,

Please understand something about the K4 and availability - this is a
rig that was announced this time last year (at Dayton Hamvention), that
was still under design and development. At that time, I believe they
anticipated the ship date to be in time for the 2019 holidays. Then, the
testers found some things that needed correcting, which pushed the ship
date out a couple of months. Then, COVID-19 hit, we all went into
shelter-in-place, Elecraft had issues getting parts, and the work slowed
down. And Eric and Wayne have been up front about explaining all this to
us. But, the key here is that this transceiver is ground-breaking new
technology. It is a brand-new product still under development, a process
that was delayed largely due to world events beyond anyone's control.

There were similar delays (save for the global pandemic :-) ) and
similar complaints when the KX3 was released several years ago. A new
product will not always meet the time lines the developers initially
anticipate and announce. But, Eric and Wayne have said repeatedly in
this forum, and in the newsletter, that they have product in their other
lines available to ship. If you are concerned about your order, please
email [hidden email]. The wonderful sales team will tell you what's
in stock and what isn't. While I haven't ordered anything during the
current pandemic, I have never had a problem with product I ordered
being out of stock or back-ordered.

But, the long and the short here is that I wouldn't be concerned about
product availability. Pay attention to the K4 conversation, but take it
with a grain of salt, especially in these unique times.

As someone else posted here earlier, I'm waiting for the K4 kit to come
out before I order mine (probably a K4-HD). I also know it will probably
be at least another year before the kit versions become available. But,
I can wait. In the meantime, I finally have some time to really get to
know the KX2 I've had for nearly 18 months, and I will continue enjoying
my K3-based K-Line (K3, P3, KAT500, KPA500).

73 de,

Ian, NV4C

On 5/16/20 6:56 AM, Tommy Judson via Elecraft wrote:

> Good Morning
>
> I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station.
>
> I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements.
>
> Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age.
>
> I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock.
>
> To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair.
>
> Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment?
>
> Any thoughts ?
>
> Thank you Tommy Judson
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

ke9uw

Re: Availability

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

I think I would get the KX3 which is in stock and maybe the KPA500 and KAT500. I’m not a 1500 watt guy. The KX3 can drive that to 250 watts or so...and get the K4 later.
The KX3 would be a fun radio to keep.

Chuck Jack Hawley
KE9UW

Sent from my iPhone, cjack

> On May 16, 2020, at 5:57 AM, Tommy Judson via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Good Morning
>
> I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station.
>
> I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements.
>
> Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age.
>
> I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock.
>
> To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair.
>
> Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment?
>
> Any thoughts ?
>
> Thank you Tommy Judson
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Chuck, KE9UW

David Herring

Re: Availability

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Like others have said on this reflector, the K4 is a new rig still in development and not generally available. If I had an antenna up, an itch to get on the air, and was just waiting for a rig, I would not wait for a K4. You might consider the KX3 line. If you are still OK with a soldering iron and like to build things, maybe a K2, but if not, well I hear nothing but good things about the KX3. Even if they are out of stock, you’d get these much sooner than a K4.

You can also go out on the used market and probably find a K3 or K3S. I used to have a K3 and it was the finest rig I’ve ever owned to date. Be warned, there is a learning curve associated with Elecraft rigs, but in my experience, its *absolutely worth it*.

In my case, I invested in a K4 around this time last year (knowing it wasn’t going to be ready right away), then picked up an inexpensive rig for use in the meantime just to get me on the air while I wait for my K4.

73,
David - N5DCH

> On May 16, 2020, at 4:56 AM, Tommy Judson via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> Good Morning
>
> I’ve been studying how to establish a ham station and asking around what is available to do that with these days. A month or so of research brought me to Elecraft - best bang for the buck receivers. This narrowed my search down to just a couple radios. Now thank you to this forum's members I’ve decided what Elecraft has listed for sale I would like to use in a newly established ham station.
>
> I sent a wish list to Elecraft to see what is actually in stock knowing the present pandemic could cause shortages of supplies and labor because of the social distancing requirements.
>
> Now I read on this forum many questions about when customers will actually receive the radios they plunked down $4K to buy when first announced some time ago. One customer mentioned that he was in an older age bracket and wondered if he’d get his in time to use it - I’m five years older than what he said was his age.
>
> I’m wondering if I should consider another company’s products - find a company if any that might have equipment in stock.
>
> To end on a good note I need to say there has been plenty of time to leisurely accumulate parts and design and erect a by the book optimum height inverted V antenna out in my several acre front yard. All needed now is to hook a radio onto the lead running down the pole and to under a small tree that will shade me and a radio relaxed in a lawn chair.
>
> Guess where I will not develop as much anxiety as others over delayed shipment of equipment is because I did not send money with my wish list - or maybe I should to actually get my name on the list to get my choice of equipment?
>
> Any thoughts ?
>
> Thank you Tommy Judson
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Grant Youngman-2

Re: Availability

In reply to this post by ke9uw

The latest shipping status on the KX3 is “backordered”, and has been for a while. The only rig shown as currently shipping is the K3s. All of the amps are also on backorder.

My KX3 is not for sale :-)

Grant NQ5T

> On May 16, 2020, at 9:58 AM, hawley, charles j jr <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I think I would get the KX3 which is in stock and maybe the KPA500 and KAT500. I’m not a 1500 watt guy. The KX3 can drive that to 250 watts or so...and get the K4 later.
> The KX3 would be a fun radio to keep.
>
> Chuck Jack Hawley
> KE9UW
>
> Sent from my iPhone, cjack
>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Availability

Hmm…getting conflicting words so here is the list sent to Elecraft. Guess I’ll send it again after the pandemic is over, oh well.

All this stay in place time will not be completely wasted, a couple days ago dug out my classical guitar and now communicating with a professor of guitar at a university near here to sign up for more on-line lessons.

Ok, the first pack (on left in your image) contains the items 1 thru 5 on my list (I didn’t list the hat because I’m not a hat guy.). So we are good so far.

So do you have the remanding items too:
6 . KX3 (CADY) BOOK 40.00

7. AX1 WHIP 99.95

8. AXE1-40 40MTRCOIL _______?

9 . KXPD2 PADDLE 139.95. (Yes, want the “2” paddle)

10. BNC-UHF ADAPTER 7.95

11. KX2GNDPLUG MINI PLUG 8.95 FOR TRAILING WIRE? (Counterpose wire?)

12. Also want the cable needed to hook an outboard key.

> On May 16, 2020, at 9:17 AM, Grant Youngman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The latest shipping status on the KX3 is “backordered”, and has been for a while. The only rig shown as currently shipping is the K3s. All of the amps are also on backorder.
>
> My KX3 is not for sale :-)
>
> Grant NQ5T
>
>> On May 16, 2020, at 9:58 AM, hawley, charles j jr <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I think I would get the KX3 which is in stock and maybe the KPA500 and KAT500. I’m not a 1500 watt guy. The KX3 can drive that to 250 watts or so...and get the K4 later.
>> The KX3 would be a fun radio to keep.
>>
>> Chuck Jack Hawley
>> KE9UW
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone, cjack
>>
>

rich hurd WC3T

Re: Availability

The stock status on a new KX3 may be "backordered" but if you check QRZ or
QTH you will probably find a KX3 every so often for sale. Sometimes with
the panadapter and/or the KXPA100 if you are so inclined.

That's how I got my station. Went the used KX3 route some years ago and
never looked back.

On Sat, May 16, 2020 at 10:48 AM Tommy Judson via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hmm…getting conflicting words so here is the list sent to Elecraft. Guess
> I’ll send it again after the pandemic is over, oh well.
>
> All this stay in place time will not be completely wasted, a couple days
> ago dug out my classical guitar and now communicating with a professor of
> guitar at a university near here to sign up for more on-line lessons.
>
> Ok, the first pack (on left in your image) contains the items 1 thru 5 on
> my list (I didn’t list the hat because I’m not a hat guy.). So we are good
> so far.
>
> So do you have the remanding items too:
> 6 . KX3 (CADY) BOOK 40.00
>
> 7. AX1 WHIP 99.95
>
> 8. AXE1-40 40MTRCOIL _______?
>
> 9 . KXPD2 PADDLE 139.95. (Yes,
> want the “2” paddle)
>
> 10. BNC-UHF ADAPTER 7.95
>
> 11. KX2GNDPLUG MINI PLUG 8.95 FOR TRAILING
> WIRE? (Counterpose wire?)
>
> 12. Also want the cable needed to hook an outboard key.
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 16, 2020, at 9:17 AM, Grant Youngman <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > The latest shipping status on the KX3 is “backordered”, and has been for
> a while. The only rig shown as currently shipping is the K3s. All of the
> amps are also on backorder.
> >
> > My KX3 is not for sale :-)
> >
> > Grant NQ5T
> >
> >> On May 16, 2020, at 9:58 AM, hawley, charles j jr <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >> I think I would get the KX3 which is in stock and maybe the KPA500 and
> KAT500. I’m not a 1500 watt guy. The KX3 can drive that to 250 watts or
> so...and get the K4 later.
> >> The KX3 would be a fun radio to keep.
> >>
> >> Chuck Jack Hawley
> >> KE9UW
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone, cjack
> >>
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

--
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
______________________________________________________________
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]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Availability

I also bought my KX3/PX3 used from a nice ham in St. Louis through fleaBay. The units came in perfect condition packed in a Nanuck case.

I bought the KXPA100 new, though. It’s a wonderful station, especially when working portable.

I see a KX3 on fleaBay every week or two. The prices aren’t usually too bad and there is some protection buying through that system.

73 de AG7TX

David Thompson, AG7TX
Jack of All Trades
Master of None
[hidden email]

> On May 16, 2020, at 08:06, rich hurd WC3T <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The stock status on a new KX3 may be "backordered" but if you check QRZ or
> QTH you will probably find a KX3 every so often for sale. Sometimes with
> the panadapter and/or the KXPA100 if you are so inclined.
>
> That's how I got my station. Went the used KX3 route some years ago and
> never looked back.
>
> On Sat, May 16, 2020 at 10:48 AM Tommy Judson via Elecraft <
> [hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hmm…getting conflicting words so here is the list sent to Elecraft. Guess
>> I’ll send it again after the pandemic is over, oh well.
>>
>> All this stay in place time will not be completely wasted, a couple days
>> ago dug out my classical guitar and now communicating with a professor of
>> guitar at a university near here to sign up for more on-line lessons.
>>
>> Ok, the first pack (on left in your image) contains the items 1 thru 5 on
>> my list (I didn’t list the hat because I’m not a hat guy.). So we are good
>> so far.
>>
>> So do you have the remanding items too:
>> 6 . KX3 (CADY) BOOK 40.00
>>
>> 7. AX1 WHIP 99.95
>>
>> 8. AXE1-40 40MTRCOIL _______?
>>
>> 9 . KXPD2 PADDLE 139.95. (Yes,
>> want the “2” paddle)
>>
>> 10. BNC-UHF ADAPTER 7.95
>>
>> 11. KX2GNDPLUG MINI PLUG 8.95 FOR TRAILING
>> WIRE? (Counterpose wire?)
>>
>> 12. Also want the cable needed to hook an outboard key.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On May 16, 2020, at 9:17 AM, Grant Youngman <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> The latest shipping status on the KX3 is “backordered”, and has been for
>> a while. The only rig shown as currently shipping is the K3s. All of the
>> amps are also on backorder.
>>>
>>> My KX3 is not for sale :-)
>>>
>>> Grant NQ5T
>>>
>>>> On May 16, 2020, at 9:58 AM, hawley, charles j jr <
>> [hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I think I would get the KX3 which is in stock and maybe the KPA500 and
>> KAT500. I’m not a 1500 watt guy. The KX3 can drive that to 250 watts or
>> so...and get the K4 later.
>>>> The KX3 would be a fun radio to keep.
>>>>
>>>> Chuck Jack Hawley
>>>> KE9UW
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone, cjack
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
>
>
> --
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
> *FN20is*
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]