Thomas Witherspoon recounts his renewed appreciation for the Elecraft K2 kit radio, highlighting its enduring appeal, build quality, and performance in both shack and field operations as of 2025.
* **Nostalgic Rediscovery:** Thomas rekindled his love for the K2 after using it on field activations, appreciating its superior audio quality and low noise floor, which make it a pleasure to operate.
* **Kit Radio Advantages and Challenges:** The K2’s status as a kit radio offers excellent serviceability, repairability, and long-term support, though build quality can vary and requires careful inspection when purchasing used.
* **Enduring Value and Legacy:** Despite being over two decades old, the K2 remains a highly satisfying and reliable transceiver, valued by operators for its simplicity, craftsmanship, and suitability for both QRP and QRO operations.
* **Nostalgic Rediscovery:** Thomas rekindled his love for the K2 after using it on field activations, appreciating its superior audio quality and low noise floor, which make it a pleasure to operate.
* **Kit Radio Advantages and Challenges:** The K2’s status as a kit radio offers excellent serviceability, repairability, and long-term support, though build quality can vary and requires careful inspection when purchasing used.
* **Enduring Value and Legacy:** Despite being over two decades old, the K2 remains a highly satisfying and reliable transceiver, valued by operators for its simplicity, craftsmanship, and suitability for both QRP and QRO operations.
Edward F. "Ed" Hare, Jr., W1RFI, a long-time ARRL Lab engineer, passed away on October 10, 2025, at the age of 75. He was a dedicated ham radio operator, RFI expert, and contributor to ARRL advocacy efforts.
This is a pre-order for the Quansheng UV-K5 radio directly from the factory with modifications for H.F bands and updated firmware. The radio also includes an antenna inductor change and audio quality fix.
64:1 balun?
