Are you satisfied with your K3?

[David F. Reed-2]

I originally bought a K3 as a backup radio for my IC-7800.

I admit to liking the 7800 a lot; it is an excellent radio; but I liked
my K3 so much more, especially the diversity reception on different
antennas on the low bands, that I sold the 7800, bought a second K3, a
P3 with the SVGA adapter, and am more than pleased with my decision.  I
have since added a KPA500 and KAT500 to the lineup. I use my IC-PW1 as
an amplifier for one of the K3.  Now I am addicted and have added a KX3
for my portable ops, and love it too.

For me, the K3 is hands down the best radio I have ever owned, and I
have been a ham since 1957, operating home brew, kits of various sorts,
Collins S-Line and KWM-2a, Drake, and so on.

The only down side for me is that some of my MARS operation is frequency
limited by the gap in transmit coverage above the top of the 40 M band.
I suspect this is due to the I.F. and choice of conversion schemes, but
if that's the price to get the performance I enjoy so much, I accept
it.  I can always use one of my lesser transceivers for the MARS work
when I bump into that limitation.

Thanks Elecraft for keeping the dream alive.

73 de Dave, W5SV / NNN0SLA
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[KD4NUE]

And to elaborate on this theme, it is my setup on QTH up for trade.   It is
equal in price with a new FTDX-5000MP, and I am asking for the value of a
used MP for it.

Separately, I have tried to sell it for what used MPs are going for.

I had tried to sell it for that price previously on QTH, and got a lot of
flack about the price being too high.

Do the math.

Unfortunately, some gear retains resale value better than others.

I traded a FTDX-9000MP for the K3, P3, KPA-500, power supply, Heil Mic, Mic
stand and a Swan 700CX.

I based the trade on the published receive specs.  I had K3 fever, and was
pushing for the best possible receive specs and capabilities.  The KPA-500
would offer me 100 watts extra power, and the Pan Adaptor, while showing
potential for further development, fell a little short in comparison with
the DMU capabilities.

The 9000MP was used nearly exclusively for government spectrum in volunteer
contingency communications support.  Had I asked the correct questions, I
would have known before hand that the MARS/CAP software band limits removal
routine cut out a fair slice of spectral real estate between 7650 KHz and 10
MHz.  

Also, 100 percent of my operation on federal spectrum was in nets authorized
for mixed mode operations; where digital and voice communications were
allowed, and it was expected that the operators were capable of operating
either mode on command, and both modes within minutes (or less) of each
other.

Where the K3 excels in CW and Ham Band Dx, it doesn't match up with the
operability of an IC-718 in my application.  My mistake; no one else's - I
just never thought it possible for the limitations to be present in a rig of
that cost and reputation.

On top of that, the fellow I traded with claimed it to be perfect in every
way, and I had to replace a FET in the low power amplifier to get the power
stability and distorted transmit audio problem corrected.  The amp went back
to Elecraft, after it developed a high reflected power error, even into a
dummy load.  We live and learn.  I had tried to use it with an IC-756 Pro
II, and a LDG AT-1000 pro. The results of that combo was a fused antenna
relay in the 756 pro and all the magic smoke was driven from the AT-1000
Pro.  Fortunately, I was able to isolate the problem in the Icom and replace
the relay.  LDG made the tuner good, with an updated model; sent to me at no
cost.  We all need to be careful in our trades with fellow hams..  I hate to
admit that..

Where the features and operability of the K3 may have been a bit less than I
was expecting, the Elecraft Customer Service was a far more pleasant
experience.  Howard was able to point out the exact failed component over
the phone after a few trouble shooting procedures.  He was patient,
informative, and well versed on the product.  When the replacement FET that
I ordered from Elecraft arrived, and was replaced, a phone call netted more
patient responses from Howard as I set the Bias on all three of the FETs on
the LPA Board.  When I sent the KPA-500 in for repair, the turn around was
extremely quick, and the cost was certainly fair for the work done,.  No
complaints at all about how Elecraft supports their product.

All in all, I wish I hadn't ever let the FTDX-9000MP go, and wish I could
recover enough to get a FTDX-9000D and only lose 200 watts over the deal.  I
am still hopeful I could possibly recover enough to get a used FTDX-5000MP,
(lose 3 micro tune modules, true second receiver, the DMU, TFT screen, and
200 Watts).

If no hope of either of those possibilities, I will know that I at least
tried to recover the value of a used setup when compared with a used setup
of another manufacture, where both carried the same retail price and age.

But, FWIW, it is all on me.  No one forced me to keep trying to build the
best station for my type of operations.  I have done some reconsidering, and
will be moving away somewhat from the contingency communications volunteer
operations, and devote some time to other endeavors.  It is one of those
situations where you really wanted to do the best possible job that your
equipment would allow, and just got too close to the abyss.

I could have done worse, I suppose.  There is still a lot that can be done
with the setup in the environment that it was ultimately designed for.  

The shortcomings were in my expectations, not the equipment.  I maintain a
presence here, as the firmware is evolving, and I have already seen
improvement in the capabilities after less than 2 months of ownership; by
firmware evolution alone.  I only threw away the bath water; I kept the
baby.

David
KD4NUE


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]  On Behalf Of Fred Smith
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 6:48 AM
To:  [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Are you satisfied with your K3?


I think it was fair question there are people who sell their K3's and other
Elecraft equipment to buy other radios. There is one on QTH.COM right now
wanting to trade his K3, P3, KAT500 for an FTDX-5000MP. I do see them for
sale all the time and always check to see the price and call on them if
there is a phone number. One of my first asked questions is why do you want
to get rid of the radio, you might be surprised at some of the answers. I'm
always looking for a deal on any Elecraft gear I don't have or my friends
might want.

Many of those selling are for a single reason they want a full size radio,
where I wanted to downsize and still have a SO2R setup. Elecraft can't be
beat for that, now if they would just bring out a legal limit ++ amp I would
need 2 of those.

I went from several different brands of radios down to 4 now including my
Elecraft as my "Main" HF gear and a Kenwood in the mobile for another.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dr. William J.
Schmidt, II
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 11:33 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Are you satisfied with your K3?

Seriously?  Asking this qustion of the "K3 Reflector" is like asking a drug
addict if he likes drugs... or a drunk if he likes booze...   I suppose that
is as obvious as the question is.

Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ

Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois

email:  [hidden email]


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[RobertG]

Nate...

I agree with your observation about the panadapter. I went with the LP Pan option
[for reasons having nothing to do with the P3], and I can't stop looking at it. I
think it's a real weapon in a contest, especially in the S&P mode. There's no tuning
and wonder what's around the next knob twist. Just watch the screen and go to the
next one. Love it! And, for running, it's easy to pick out a reasonably clear
frequency immediately without having to search around. For DXing in a pileup, seeing
where the holes in the wall are is very useful. When the KAT500 arrives, it'll be all
Elecraft here, something I never dreamed would happen back in my teens with my
Heathkit DX20 and Hammerlund 100. There are some benefits to growing old <g>.

...robert

On 12/6/2012 01:42, Nate Bargmann wrote:

> I will second your motion.
>
> My K3 is a solid performer after a bit over two years of near daily use
> including phone and CW along with a smattering of digital modes.  I have
> yet to add the sub receiver since adding the P3 a bit over a year ago.
> Having the visual element just hasn't gotten old.
>
> This past weekend I operated as one of the Union Pacific Railroad 150th
> anniversary special event operation stations.  Most of the afternoon on
> 20m phone I was using a CM500 headset, which drives the K3 very easily,
> and the ALS600 amplifier.  I received many unsolicited reports of good
> to excellent audio.  I figure that any combination that makes me sound
> good is a winner in my book.  Also, using the K3's VOX is a pleasure,
> especially with the noise gate enabled.
>
> With the 2.1 kHz filter in slot 2 once I use the high cut to take out a
> group that is 2 kHz below our 75m section nets in the morning, I simply
> don't hear them and yet the audio fidelity of our net is still very good
> from my speakers.
>
> Perhaps it is my use of the receive equalization to roll off everything
> above 3 kHz as much as I can and my use of the RF Gain control that I
> have no fatigue at all listening to my K3.  My backside gets tired of
> the chair long before anything else!
>
> Would I buy it again?  Absolutely, without hesitation.
>
> 73, de Nate, N0NB >>
>

--
Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[wayne burdick]

Robert G. Strickland wrote:

> ...it'll be all Elecraft here, something I never dreamed would  
> happen back in my teens with my Heathkit DX20...

In my teens, freshly licensed, I had a Heath DX20 and a Hallicrafters  
S38D. The highlight of my first few months was working a guy 2000  
miles away on a 60-W-lamp dummy load and 6' of leaky RG58. I later  
upgraded to a Heath HW-16 and had a blast.

My neighbor (who I met because he copied my callsign off his TV  
screen) had a state-of-the-art 1972-era station. What I wouldn't give  
to travel back in time and give him a demo of the K-line :)

73,
Wayne
N6KR
 
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[RobertG]

Wayne...

Another demo of the well known fact that a 50-100w light bulb load with filament
aligned with the correct magnetic field declination for the particular QTH will
entrain polar field ions and function as a 4-el monobander. People are always
forgetting this effect and spending money on big yagis, trying to recapture the light
bulb ion effect. Old timers are useful for keeping this type of info available for
new hams.

...robert

On 12/7/2012 03:53, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> In my teens, freshly licensed, I had a Heath DX20 and a Hallicrafters S38D. The
> highlight of my first few months was working a guy 2000 miles away on a 60-W-lamp
> dummy load and 6' of leaky RG58. I later upgraded to a Heath HW-16 and had a blast.
>

> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>

--
Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[Phil Hystad-3]

I thought everyone knew about 100-watt light bulbs.  Back in my Novice days about 50 years ago, it seemed that all of my other Novice friends all used 100-watt light bulbs as a dummy load for test & tune-up.  And, we got used to the idea of hearing each other in the area because we all operated with the around the same frequency cut crystals so we often all ended up on the same spot on 40 meters.  When I was a Novice, 40 meters was the only band I worked since those were the only crystals I had.  And, I am not an old-timer.  An old-timer is always someone older than me -- Always!

73, phil, K7PEH



On Dec 7, 2012, at 8:37 AM, Robert G. Strickland <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Wayne...
>
> Another demo of the well known fact that a 50-100w light bulb load with filament aligned with the correct magnetic field declination for the particular QTH will entrain polar field ions and function as a 4-el monobander. People are always forgetting this effect and spending money on big yagis, trying to recapture the light bulb ion effect. Old timers are useful for keeping this type of info available for new hams.
>
> ...robert
>
> On 12/7/2012 03:53, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>
>> In my teens, freshly licensed, I had a Heath DX20 and a Hallicrafters S38D. The
>> highlight of my first few months was working a guy 2000 miles away on a 60-W-lamp
>> dummy load and 6' of leaky RG58. I later upgraded to a Heath HW-16 and had a blast.
>>
>
>> 73,
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>
>
> --
> Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY
> [hidden email]
> Syracuse, New York, USA
> ______________________________________________________________
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[k6dgw]

On 12/6/2012 7:53 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> In my teens, freshly licensed, I had a Heath DX20 and a Hallicrafters
> S38D. The highlight of my first few months was working a guy 2000 miles
> away on a 60-W-lamp dummy load and 6' of leaky RG58. I later upgraded to
> a Heath HW-16 and had a blast.

About a dozen years ago, I inherited an SX-28 in very pristine shape
from the estate of Woody, W6ANX.  I had one as a teen.  For quite
awhile, it held down a counter in the shack against gravity outages.  I
finally decided to enter an NAQP CW 40m using it and my old 40m ARC-5
still in the basement [Heath HP-23 power supply].  Results were mixed.

I managed to get shocked off the straight key several times [forgot
about cathode keying], I discovered that operating in a 21st century
contest with a straight key, pencil, and paper was a lot less fun than I
had imagined it would be, and, after perhaps two hours, and 3 dozen
reports of key clicks, I decided I'd adequately punched my nostalgia
card and reverted to my brand new K3.  I had a great time as a teenager
with makeshift equipment, but of course I didn't know then what it would
be like in 2010.  And apparently, aging my ARC-5 in the basement for 55
years did not mellow the key clicks either.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org


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