Why an Elecraft K2?

So I suppose I should address why I chose to build an Elecraft K2?

I first found out about the K2 when I was in graduate school, sometime around 2000 or shortly after. I ran across a post about it online somewhere, and was intrigued. There was also online chatter about amateur radio going to stop requiring Morse Code for its Amateur Radio License exams. I looked into it a bit but decided it was just too big of a bite while I was still in school.

So then when I finally decided to get into amateur radio, I knew I wanted to build. I suppose I might like building as much if not more than the actual operation of the radio? I looked around and Heathkit had long ago gone bankrupt. There aren't a lot of kits out there. I found QRP Labs, and built a few of their kits. While these kits were fun, and the rigs pretty nice for the cost and trouble to build, I decided it was time to move to the next level.

The Elecraft K2 has a great reputation. There are a number of blogs by folks who have built these so there are some helpful tips out there. Elecraft has been around for 25 years and have a reputation for great customer service. There is an email listserve that has been going for a long time with a big network of K2 experts. The instructions for the build are very clear. And it just looks like a big challenge. Just look at the RF motherboard, this ain't no Cub Scout project!

The radio itself is pretty good quality for a home station, yet small enough to use as a portable or mobile station. It does CW (Morse Code) and SSB (single side band, or the ability to do voice or the various digital modes). It has built-in functions like antenna tuner, internal battery, etc.

The specs are amazing for a kit.

The technology is 25 years old. In a way this is good, because the kit is more than just a huge chip, makes it more fun to build. The parts are discreet enough that they are unlikely to go out of manufacture anytime soon, and when they do, there can be substitutions/workarounds.

I saw on one blog the builder called this an "intermediate" kit, taking about 40 hours to build. I think it will take me a lot more than 40 hours to build. I don't do this every day, and I have several options with the rig that will take additional time to build. And I am not in a real hurry.

I found completed K2's for less than half the price of a new kit. But dang, it just looks like so much fun to build!

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