The actual price is $1909.50 for the K2 "twins" setup you describe (plus
shipping). The only difference I figured the KDSP2....it is much better
than the KAF2 and the mic that is made by Heil for Elecraft. KDSP2 adds a
lot of versatility that you don't have with just the KAF2. Been there done
that.
I see you have never spoken to one of the Tech's at TenTec, they will tell
you how to fix a problem right on the telephone and you can fix it yourself
and it doesn't invalidate your warranty! .....not all problems of K2's are
fixed by the person that assembled it, a lot are but then Gary repairs a lot
of things at Elecraft that are returned by owners/builders.
The K2 has not been without "problems" I have been on the reflector since
July of 2000 and I have read a lot of email about problems. And I see an
awful lot of mod kits listed on the Elecraft web site that cure these
"problems". And each one of them cost money. They don't correct a lot of
problems for free. They sell you parts and let YOU provide the labor.
So you see, there are always differences....it just depends on how honest
you are willing to be and how you state those differences.
Oh yes, every TenTec I have ever had came with a one year warranty..... They
provided both the parts and the labor to correct any problems I had. And
the turn around was always quick. But, then the TenTecs weren't kits
either.
It's all in what you want and how much time you have to spend doing
something other than operating.
Mike - KC8WR
PS. I also worked at the Ft.Wayne Hamfest for Elecraft. So it is not a
matter of not liking the K2 or liking the Argo V more. .
----- Original Message -----
From: "KS7J" <shack@tomochka.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 8:20 PM
Subject: RE: [TenTec] Argonaut V - I did purchase
> Jeff,
>
> You're making a partially unfair comparison. You are including the PA and
> ATU in the cost of the K2, neither of which the Argo V has. And don't just
> add on an LDG auto-tuner, the K2 ATU is superior and integrated. I've used
> both.
>
> Anyway, a K2 with SSB, 160M, NB, AF, ATU (w/dual ant) is $996, IN KIT
FORM.
> You are absolutely right, someone has to build these. There are builders
who
> do it for free or next to nothing, however. Building them is not difficult
> (and enjoyable for many of us) and all test equipment (save a DMM) is
built
> into the rig. You have a rig you can fix in the rare event it fails, and
> tons of online support. Last I checked TT doesn't have that kind of
support,
> you have to ship the thing back to the factory and usually you have to pay
> someone to fix it at considerably more than minimum wage.
>
> Add DSP for $259, but IMHO, it's overkill once you have the xtal filters
and
> AF. For another 89 bux you have RS-232 control. We're still pretty far
from
> $2000 (more like $1300).
>
> Let's see, ARGO V: $850 + $180 for ATU that is not integrated and handles
1
> ANT = $1030. Yep, it's cheaper <grin>. How do you upgrade it to 100W? The
K2
> can be configured with the PA built-in or outboard in a K-Twins
> configuration (then you can unplug the K2 and still have the 20W built-in
> ATU).
>
> The K2 route is not for everyone and I was interested in others' opinions,
> but I think you went a little over the top Jeff. Obviously a K2 is not for
> you.
>
> 73,
>
> Casey, KS7J
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Jeff Davis
> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 9:59 AM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] Argonaut V - I did purchase
>
|