Elecraft KX2 Review

This is my review after owning the KX2 for a few months. It is a fantastic little radio but has some overlooked flaws in my opinion. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this radio for field HF ops.

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Copyright 2016, Romeo Tango Tango LLC

[Fishermanfred]

Wow.... The Best most Honest review that I have heard on ham gear. This guy does know his Equipment. Thanks So much . Fred

[JosephAnthonyJosefius]

On the KX3, the speaker is closer to the front and from what I've heard it causes issues with the VFO going off frequency. I'm glad I went with the KX2. 73 de KI5JCO

[allancopland]

As a KX2 owner myself (No 402) I have never used it as a field radio. In the UK with our usual changeable weather it would be suicide for the KX2. The KX2 has an excellent receiver and the brick-wall filtering is a joy to use. My radio gets used indoors only. Things I like.... the receiver. It's excellent. Things I don't like. All those open holes in the case, the ridiculously expensive price, the lousy ergonomics, the stupid plastic LCD cover and the dirt cheap plastic knobs and encoders Elecraft saw fit to use. For field use, I use a Yaesu FT817 in it's plastic sleeve. While the 817 is rather inefficient at converting battery power to RF, it's far better suited to our changeable weather conditions. With Elecraft, everything you need is an 'optional extra' so I bought an alternative microphone for a fraction of the cost of the Elecraft one and I run the radio from inexpensive 11.1V 5000maH model aircraft LiPo batteries. Just my 2P worth on the KX2 .

[S_e_a_n]

Thank you for the review Tony. I'm thinking of purchasing the KX2 and your video helped me out. 73

[Panotaker]

If and when the plastic cover warps, can't you just flip it over and screw it back down to flatten it out, or are the letters on the cover.

[electron]

Thanks for the review. Is that you work space in your apartment? If so it looks pretty good for an apartment work shop.

[TonyKDRTT]

I do want to mention that after taking another look at 18650 datasheet I do see that the cells at 80% discharged would equal about 3.4-3.5 volts per cell. So while my 10.5V roll back estimate might be a bit off and the battery pack probably is more like 12V fully charged in actuality, I still stand by my statement that I'd like Elecraft to publish the voltage that rolls it off. I was just surprised by the fact that it did this suddenly.

[rcbrush]

Nice, realistic review. This was what I hoped to learn. Thank you.

[gliderrider]

Now you got 2742 subscribers! I looked at some of your other topics on your page and there's a lot of juicy nuggets I'm interested in. Thanks!

[hamradiocq]

You almost completely talked me out of this radio....I'm thinking about the 817 now. I just don't like how small the display is on 817 and 5 watts is < 10 watts. ugh.

[Milosz_Ostrow]

Warping of the LCD cover plastic may be due to use of an improper mounting method. Acrylic and polycarbonate have a much higher coefficient of expansion than aluminum or steel, so plastic panels attached to metal enclosures need to be allowed to "float", by use of rubber grommets, oversize screw holes, etc. It is doubtful that the plastic was warping due to humidity changes.

[GAKC]

Well presented review Tony, showing real world negatives and positives ... well done ... Dave, G4AKC

[CraigSheppard]

Great job being realistic with your review. You pointed out a number of things I've never heard before--like you said most everyone just says it's awesome. I'm glad you were honest about it. I wonder why they don't use glass for that LCD cover. I'd think that is much more durable and scratch resistant. The most surprising thing is the battery though...they should be more honest about that. The 10w is a big differentiator over the 817, but if it doesn't last very long then you're still lugging a battery around. I hope they print the voltage cutoff I the future. Nice review!

[allancopland]

Good review. I have both the FT817 and the KX2 and you are right about the number of holes the KX2 has for water to get in. It has more holes than a Swiss Cheese. For that reason, I consider it to be a reasonable 'fair weather' or second shack radio, but I live in Scotland where wet weather is common, so my FT817 sees far more use than the KX2 because it's far better suited as a field radio despite its inferior receiver and high battery drain. For very little extra money you can get a nice weather resistant sleeve for the 817 that will work well in wet weather. Like you, I'm not impressed with the KX2's plastic display cover. One thing I really dislike about the KX2 is its poor ergonomics and cramped front panel, thanks to using that overly large display. I don't see the need for that huge display on what is essentially a field radio. The KX3 is a different beast. It has far better ergonomics than the KX2. I have to disagree with you about the suitability of the KX2 for HF field ops. IMHO that's what it is least suited to, thanks to all those holes and openings it has.

[WJFRadio]

Great video! One of the best on this radio!

[Fishermanfred]

I subed here for sure. I would like to see videos of you out in the field using qrp. And types of antennas that you use. Thanks.

[thestingyham]

Nice review, but about the battery. I live overseas, and given expensive Lion shipping charges requiring the most expensive UPS choice, I bought a battery locally. I got one that is external, and might be able to shoehorn into the case, but I much prefer using it external on this radio, anyway. I am at 10w out far longer than with the Elecraft offering, apparently? My Lion, using 3 Samsung cells, is keeping me at 10w for 2 to 3 hours at a time. In fact, I have not used it longer than 3 hours. This is SSB use. The batteries are well above 11.1v, when fully charged, at 12.3v max, and take 1-2 hours to go down to 11.1v. The speaker wires inside are so very thin, I am glad I am not opening it up much to charge the internal, anyway. Very happy with an external!

[WAQFE]

I just ordered a KX2, waiting for it to arrive later in the week, but will take the KX3 to the Hoosier Nat'l Forest, and may really retire my FT-817.
Also I like the X-108g in the woods and worked many stations from the Charles Deam Wilderness Area 2 weeks ago.
Best of Luck es DX!!
Lee, WA8QFE

[fireyourrocketts]

Thanks for the review..I was thinking in buying one but not so sure after seen the review..this little sucker is very expensive to be having those little issues. I seen it in action and have no doubt it is one of the best radios for QRP out there but I am looking also into having a mobile rig and just do cross band with my TH-D74 instead of QRP ---the expenses for the mobile rig is way cheaper and even buying extra equipment to make the station function with the car engine turned off it comes still cheaper! that is thinking of a Kenwood TM-D710 -- 73 from KI7CSI

[amateurradioworld]

Would you recommend it for a beginner radio?