Howard:

I have both the elecraft k2 and the kenwood ts2000.  Both are very
accessible, and both are good cw rigs.
The k2 puts out all its information in cw.  To do this you will have to by
the krc2 and the accessibility firmware.
I know this sounds like a lot of extra money, but with the krc2 you will
also get a great station control box.
Haven't used those functions yet, but I understand they are quite good.
The k2 doesn't support am, or general coverage receive.
But with the sacrifice of those options, you get a superlative receiver,
and portability if you want it.
If I were going to get the amp, I would build it into a separate enclosure,
and get the battery and both automatic tuners.  One goes in the top of the
rig, and is good up to the standard k2 power of 15 watts.  The other is
external, and is rated for the full 100 watts of the amp.
This would give you the flexibility to just unplug a cable, and take the k2
portable.
I have worked all over the world on cw with 5 watts or less, and all over
the u.s. and into canada and mexico with 15 watts ssb.

I suggest that you go to www.elecraft.com and read up on the k2 and its
accessories.

Don't know about the 570 or 870.  I have written a quick guide for the
ts2000 which is available at www.icanworkthisthing.com.  I have also posted
the ts2000 manual there as well.

Good luck, and please feel free to write with questions.

At 10:14 AM 5/14/2004 -0500, you wrote:

>         I am afraid to do this, but here goes.
>It's time to buy a radio!
>I have been reading this list and have brought it down to four options.
>1. Kenwood ts570 DG.
>2.  Kenwood TS2000.
>3.  Kenwood ts870.
>4.  Eilkraft k2 with amp and adaptive software.
>
>Not sure if all rigs have all of the features I want.
>
>1.  Compleete accessibility.
>2.  Good CW Rigs.
>
>I really am not interested in prioritizing things above 30MHZ.
>Would like general coverage and good sounding A.M on the radios.
>Kenwood sale to the end of May.
>570 $949  870 $1699  2000 $1499.
>Then off course add good mike and a power supply.
>
>
>Oh I have an external keyer and I will still have to use my external tuner
>because of the nature of my HF antenna system.
>Also have a clearspeech speaker.
>so will have stuff to use or sell.  I will sell my c-line to pay for part
>of the new radio.
>Will keep the omni as the backup station.
>All opinions are wellcome.
>It's my first HF purchase in 25 years.
>
>
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