Elecraft

Considering a K3

Classic

List

Threaded

33 messages Options

NK7Z

Considering a K3

Hi,

Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III? I am considering the
purchase of a K3/100, I saw a presentation on it at our club meeting,
liked what I saw very much and would like to get more input from people
actually using the rig.

I am doing the due diligence part of a new rig purchase here, and am
looking for just about any input regarding the K3.

So far I have spent a number of hours looking at everything on the net I
can find for the rig.

What initially caught my eye is the blocking specs... Something like
140 db! I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are on when
one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show an
increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.

The blocking specs alone may be enough to force the switch, but, I am
wondering if anyone has gotten a K3 running with MixW, how easy is it to
point and click tune the rig via a PC interface, etc., do you like the
rig, etc. If you have used a 756 PRO III, and switched to the K3, I
would be very interested in contacting you via phone to discuss your
thoughts on the K3.

--
Support better RFI reporting practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Dave Hachadorian-2

Re: Considering a K3

> I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
>the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are
>on when
>one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show
>an
>increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.

The increased base line sounds more like broadband phase noise
generated in THEIR radios. Phase noise is a background hiss that
stays relatively constant all the time their rig is in the
transmit position, regardless if they are speaking on SSB or
keying on CW. The noise will be there during speech pauses or CW
key-up periods. If that is the case, THEY are the ones who need
the K3's to clean up their transmitted signal. If their phase
noise covers the frequency that you are trying to hear, there's
not much you can do at your end.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bill-3

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

No doubt the blocking abilities of the K3 should be of interest to you
under those circumstances.

I went through what you are doing a couple of years ago. Wound up trying
a FLEX, which lasted about three weeks before it was returned to the
manufacturer. My reason for return was a lack of proper product support.
I then borrowed a friends big TenTec. Great rig and good support - just
way too big physically.

Then I started looking at the K3. Watch the groups and reflectors and
went to try a couple of them nearby. I was impressed by the rig - it did
as was advertised. So I bought a kit and spent a couple of days putting
it together. Got the Kady book to go with it (needed, as the Elecraft
manuals are not really deep enough). I built a rig as I wanted it with
accessories I chose - not what some bean counter thought I should have.

The rig has not been a disappointment. I also have the remainder of the
K-Line (P3, KAT500, and KPA500). I had some teething problems with the
latter devices, however the latest firmware sorted all of that.

The K3 is so user customizable from the various menu setting available,
that you will end up having a rig designed to your choices. By the way,
all those settings are generally made once and not touched again. Mostly
I turn the rig on/off, use the volume control, VFO, band, mode, and once
in a while adjust hi or lo cut - pretty simple to operate.

When you have questions - there is a Yahoo Group and a super
reflector(as you have found). Also, company support is always just an
email or phone call away. Those folks know their products well and are
quick to respond when you need help.

Did I mention this is a Made in USA product???

I am very pleased with my K-Line and will recommend it to anyone
desiring a top of the line HF rig/station.

Bill K-Line
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

Have you read the reviews at eHam, Dave? They
seems to represent a broad spectrum of users.

I upgraded (from a K2/100) to K3/P3 a month ago or
so and really enjoy it. But I don't have your
local situation. My one active nearby ham uses a
K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500 -- and I've now upgraded to
match him :-)

73, Phil

On 4/5/14, 8:58 AM, David Cole wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
> K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III? I am considering the
> purchase of a K3/100, I saw a presentation on it at our club meeting,
> liked what I saw very much and would like to get more input from people
> actually using the rig.
>
> I am doing the due diligence part of a new rig purchase here, and am
> looking for just about any input regarding the K3.
>
> So far I have spent a number of hours looking at everything on the net I
> can find for the rig.
>
> What initially caught my eye is the blocking specs... Something like
> 140 db! I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
> the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are on when
> one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show an
> increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.
>
> The blocking specs alone may be enough to force the switch, but, I am
> wondering if anyone has gotten a K3 running with MixW, how easy is it to
> point and click tune the rig via a PC interface, etc., do you like the
> rig, etc. If you have used a 756 PRO III, and switched to the K3, I
> would be very interested in contacting you via phone to discuss your
> thoughts on the K3.
>

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by Dave Hachadorian-2

Hi Dave (K6LL),
Thanks for that thought, but I am pretty sure it is not their rigs...

Here is my reasoning for why I think that:

One rig is a K3, and an AL-1500, about 1/2 mile from me, and line of
sight. One of the the others is a 756 PRO III, and I don't know what
amp, about a half mile from me, while the third is an older Collins rig,
with an older Henry amp, about 100 yards from me.

All three rigs, and my mobile rig in the driveway, cause exactly the
same effect when they are transmitting, the band scope, (set to
something like 200 KC wide), shows perfectly straight increase across
the entire 200 KC's of scope, along the bottom, as a raised noise floor
would. It looks like phase noise, but I would expect that to roll off,
and not be as flat as this is. I also live close to an AM station,
100KW, and about a mile and a half away, and I see almost the same
thing, as I approach the station frequency. I can see the entire noise
floor raise as I get closer to the station.

I have an inrad roofing filter installed to the PRO III. Does this
still sound like Phase Noise to you?

--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 09:12 -0700, Dave Hachadorian wrote:

> > I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
> >the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are
> >on when
> >one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show
> >an
> >increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.
>
> The increased base line sounds more like broadband phase noise
> generated in THEIR radios. Phase noise is a background hiss that
> stays relatively constant all the time their rig is in the
> transmit position, regardless if they are speaking on SSB or
> keying on CW. The noise will be there during speech pauses or CW
> key-up periods. If that is the case, THEY are the ones who need
> the K3's to clean up their transmitted signal. If their phase
> noise covers the frequency that you are trying to hear, there's
> not much you can do at your end.
>
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Yuma, AZ
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

RobertG

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

David...
Obviously, virtually everyone here has an Elecraft product, with the K3
being the big item. So, you'll no doubt get lots of feedback from
different perspectives, emphasizing different specs. All will no doubt
be helpful in making your decision. My comments...

- the company: you just won't find any manufacturer of anything, and I
do mean 'anything,' that backs their product(s) more effectively than
Elecraft.

- user community: the community of Elecraft/K3 users are knowledgeable,
quick to help, and good natured. Put up a question and within minutes
you'll get useful answers [and not just K3 related].

- the radio: I like the small size [some dislike 'small' for reasons of
their own]; you just can't find the K3's performance in anything
approaching its size. Most of the recent DXpeditions are K3 equipped, i
imagine for reasons of size and performance. I like the ease of
operation. Its performance is superb. I operate mostly CW in contests
and DXing, and I have not found an operating situation in which the K3
did not deliver all that I needed. A regular comment is, "This is the
last radio I'll ever buy." Perhaps overstated, but the sentiment is real.

People have different likes and dislikes with respect to radio
equipment. If you like the K3 enough to buy it, then pretty sure you'll
never look back.

...robert

On 4/5/2014 15:58, David Cole wrote:

--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
[hidden email]
Syracuse, New York, USA
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by Bill-3

Bill,

Thank you for your thoughts here! You inadvertently answered a question
I was going to ask, about the K3 vs. the current Flex product. Thank
you again!

I have a request in the Yahoo groups to join as well, so I should be
able to get more data as needed.

In my wanderings across the net looking for data on the K3, saw
reference to bad audio on transmit from the K3, these were 2 year old
posts. Was there an issue, or was it user setup, and if an issue, did
Elecraft correct it? I saw some changes were made two the transmit
audio, was this done to correct the issue, if there was an issue.

Thanks again for your help!

--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 16:31 -0400, Bill W2BLC wrote:

> No doubt the blocking abilities of the K3 should be of interest to you
> under those circumstances.
>
> I went through what you are doing a couple of years ago. Wound up trying
> a FLEX, which lasted about three weeks before it was returned to the
> manufacturer. My reason for return was a lack of proper product support.
> I then borrowed a friends big TenTec. Great rig and good support - just
> way too big physically.
>
> Then I started looking at the K3. Watch the groups and reflectors and
> went to try a couple of them nearby. I was impressed by the rig - it did
> as was advertised. So I bought a kit and spent a couple of days putting
> it together. Got the Kady book to go with it (needed, as the Elecraft
> manuals are not really deep enough). I built a rig as I wanted it with
> accessories I chose - not what some bean counter thought I should have.
>
> The rig has not been a disappointment. I also have the remainder of the
> K-Line (P3, KAT500, and KPA500). I had some teething problems with the
> latter devices, however the latest firmware sorted all of that.
>
> The K3 is so user customizable from the various menu setting available,
> that you will end up having a rig designed to your choices. By the way,
> all those settings are generally made once and not touched again. Mostly
> I turn the rig on/off, use the volume control, VFO, band, mode, and once
> in a while adjust hi or lo cut - pretty simple to operate.
>
> When you have questions - there is a Yahoo Group and a super
> reflector(as you have found). Also, company support is always just an
> email or phone call away. Those folks know their products well and are
> quick to respond when you need help.
>
> Did I mention this is a Made in USA product???
>
> I am very pleased with my K-Line and will recommend it to anyone
> desiring a top of the line HF rig/station.
>
> Bill K-Line
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the tip, I am still sorting through them all...

It is difficult to sort out the "I love this rig because I just spent 5K
on it", vs., the "I love this rig because I understand it posts". :)

--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 09:45 -0700, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> Have you read the reviews at eHam, Dave? They seems to represent a
> broad spectrum of users.
>
> I upgraded (from a K2/100) to K3/P3 a month ago or so and really enjoy
> it. But I don't have your local situation. My one active nearby ham
> uses a K3/P3/KPA500/KAT500 -- and I've now upgraded to match him :-)
>
> 73, Phil
>
> On 4/5/14, 8:58 AM, David Cole wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
> > K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III? I am considering the
> > purchase of a K3/100, I saw a presentation on it at our club meeting,
> > liked what I saw very much and would like to get more input from people
> > actually using the rig.
> >
> > I am doing the due diligence part of a new rig purchase here, and am
> > looking for just about any input regarding the K3.
> >
> > So far I have spent a number of hours looking at everything on the net I
> > can find for the rig.
> >
> > What initially caught my eye is the blocking specs... Something like
> > 140 db! I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
> > the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are on when
> > one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show an
> > increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.
> >
> > The blocking specs alone may be enough to force the switch, but, I am
> > wondering if anyone has gotten a K3 running with MixW, how easy is it to
> > point and click tune the rig via a PC interface, etc., do you like the
> > rig, etc. If you have used a 756 PRO III, and switched to the K3, I
> > would be very interested in contacting you via phone to discuss your
> > thoughts on the K3.
> >
>

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by RobertG

Hi Robers,
Thanks for the nice overview, Is there any issue you might be aware of
that might cause Elecraft to cease production of the K3, or go away as a
company?

The reasons I ask is I just had a friend who spent $5K on a CCD camera
for his telescope, only to find the company got bought days after he
spent the cash... Things do not look good for that company keeping that
item in their lineup. That is why I am asking. I have heard nothing
indicating that Elecraft has any issues of any kind like that.
--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 16:58 +0000, Robert G Strickland wrote:

> David...
> Obviously, virtually everyone here has an Elecraft product, with the K3
> being the big item. So, you'll no doubt get lots of feedback from
> different perspectives, emphasizing different specs. All will no doubt
> be helpful in making your decision. My comments...
>
> - the company: you just won't find any manufacturer of anything, and I
> do mean 'anything,' that backs their product(s) more effectively than
> Elecraft.
>
> - user community: the community of Elecraft/K3 users are knowledgeable,
> quick to help, and good natured. Put up a question and within minutes
> you'll get useful answers [and not just K3 related].
>
> - the radio: I like the small size [some dislike 'small' for reasons of
> their own]; you just can't find the K3's performance in anything
> approaching its size. Most of the recent DXpeditions are K3 equipped, i
> imagine for reasons of size and performance. I like the ease of
> operation. Its performance is superb. I operate mostly CW in contests
> and DXing, and I have not found an operating situation in which the K3
> did not deliver all that I needed. A regular comment is, "This is the
> last radio I'll ever buy." Perhaps overstated, but the sentiment is real.
>
> People have different likes and dislikes with respect to radio
> equipment. If you like the K3 enough to buy it, then pretty sure you'll
> never look back.
>
> ...robert
>
> On 4/5/2014 15:58, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
> > K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III? I am considering the
> > purchase of a K3/100, I saw a presentation on it at our club meeting,
> > liked what I saw very much and would like to get more input from people
> > actually using the rig.
> >
> > I am doing the due diligence part of a new rig purchase here, and am
> > looking for just about any input regarding the K3.
> >
> > So far I have spent a number of hours looking at everything on the net I
> > can find for the rig.
> >
> > What initially caught my eye is the blocking specs... Something like
> > 140 db! I have 4 active hams living within 1/2 mile of me, and while
> > the Pro III works well, I can tell from de-sense that others are on when
> > one of them operates. The band scope of the PRO III will show an
> > increased base line across the entire scope... All 4 run a KW.
> >
> > The blocking specs alone may be enough to force the switch, but, I am
> > wondering if anyone has gotten a K3 running with MixW, how easy is it to
> > point and click tune the rig via a PC interface, etc., do you like the
> > rig, etc. If you have used a 756 PRO III, and switched to the K3, I
> > would be very interested in contacting you via phone to discuss your
> > thoughts on the K3.
> >
>

Phil Hystad-3

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

David,

Just checked out your QTH -- with your 7 area call sign I was wondering if you were nearby. Well, Eugene is not that nearby for a casual trip over. I am in Kirkland, WA.

A friend of mine lives in that area and maybe you know of him. His name is Riley and his call sign is W7RIL. We both took our Novice tests together back in 1966 (North Bend, Oregon).

When I was considering a K3, I asked for volunteers on the Elecraft e-mail list to host a visit for me to try a K3 up close. I got dozens of replies and visited three different guys who had K3s -- even though after playing with the first K3 on my first visit I was sold. I ordered my K3 about a week later after I figured out exactly what I wanted to order. If you order a K3, make sure you read the Wayne and Eric note on their website about choosing filters. Even though I got advice from others on the filters, I think I could have done better. In fact, I will be buying another filter soon (either the 200 or the 250 Hz filter, my narrowest right now is 400 Hz).

73, phil, K7PEH

On Apr 5, 2014, at 8:58 AM, David Cole <[hidden email]> wrote:

Bill Turner

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

ORIGINAL MESSAGE: (may be snipped)

On 4/5/2014 8:58 AM, David Cole wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
> K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III?

REPLY:

Pro: My favorite thing about the K3 is actually the panadaptor, the P3.
Beats the pants off my previous IC-756Pro3 or my IC-7600.

Con: Very expensive for what you get. Other rigs with comparable
features are much cheaper. Steep learning curve. The first week or two
you'll have the radio in one hand, the manual in the other. It is overly
complex, IMO, way too many menu options, half of which you won't
understand and the other half you'll never use. OK, a slight
exaggeration, but not that much.

Download the manual and read it over carefully first.

I don't have the blocking issue you have, so can't comment on that.

73, Bill W6WRT

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

> I have an inrad roofing filter installed to the PRO III. Does this
> still sound like Phase Noise to you?

Yes, phase noise in your 756ProIII. The phenomena is called reciprocal
mixing - the phase noise from your own synthesizer appears on any strong
signal within the passband.

Icom rigs are known for terrible phase noise - I have a neighbor about
1/2 mile away whose transmitted phase noise and spurs from an Icom rig
and amp wipe out a substantial portion of any band he's on.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 4/5/2014 12:51 PM, David Cole wrote:

> Hi Dave (K6LL),
> Thanks for that thought, but I am pretty sure it is not their rigs...
>
> Here is my reasoning for why I think that:
>
> One rig is a K3, and an AL-1500, about 1/2 mile from me, and line of
> sight. One of the the others is a 756 PRO III, and I don't know what
> amp, about a half mile from me, while the third is an older Collins rig,
> with an older Henry amp, about 100 yards from me.
>
> All three rigs, and my mobile rig in the driveway, cause exactly the
> same effect when they are transmitting, the band scope, (set to
> something like 200 KC wide), shows perfectly straight increase across
> the entire 200 KC's of scope, along the bottom, as a raised noise floor
> would. It looks like phase noise, but I would expect that to roll off,
> and not be as flat as this is. I also live close to an AM station,
> 100KW, and about a mile and a half away, and I see almost the same
> thing, as I approach the station frequency. I can see the entire noise
> floor raise as I get closer to the station.
>
> I have an inrad roofing filter installed to the PRO III. Does this
> still sound like Phase Noise to you?
>

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by Bill Turner

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your insight, the pro/con list helps a lot. Yes, the
Panadaptor is a wonderful selling point, and something I can not live
without anymore. The Pro III spoiled me in that way.

One thing I was not clear on in the demo, just how wide can the
panadaptor be made to show?
--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 10:25 -0700, Bill Turner wrote:

> ORIGINAL MESSAGE: (may be snipped)
>
> On 4/5/2014 8:58 AM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a
> > K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III?
>
> REPLY:
>
> Pro: My favorite thing about the K3 is actually the panadaptor, the P3.
> Beats the pants off my previous IC-756Pro3 or my IC-7600.
>
> Con: Very expensive for what you get. Other rigs with comparable
> features are much cheaper. Steep learning curve. The first week or two
> you'll have the radio in one hand, the manual in the other. It is overly
> complex, IMO, way too many menu options, half of which you won't
> understand and the other half you'll never use. OK, a slight
> exaggeration, but not that much.
>
> Download the manual and read it over carefully first.
>
> I don't have the blocking issue you have, so can't comment on that.
>
> 73, Bill W6WRT
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Hi Joe,

Thank you for that, I have wondered what it was for years!
--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 13:32 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> > I have an inrad roofing filter installed to the PRO III. Does this
> > still sound like Phase Noise to you?
>
> Yes, phase noise in your 756ProIII. The phenomena is called reciprocal
> mixing - the phase noise from your own synthesizer appears on any strong
> signal within the passband.
>
> Icom rigs are known for terrible phase noise - I have a neighbor about
> 1/2 mile away whose transmitted phase noise and spurs from an Icom rig
> and amp wipe out a substantial portion of any band he's on.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 4/5/2014 12:51 PM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi Dave (K6LL),
> > Thanks for that thought, but I am pretty sure it is not their rigs...
> >
> > Here is my reasoning for why I think that:
> >
> > One rig is a K3, and an AL-1500, about 1/2 mile from me, and line of
> > sight. One of the the others is a 756 PRO III, and I don't know what
> > amp, about a half mile from me, while the third is an older Collins rig,
> > with an older Henry amp, about 100 yards from me.
> >
> > All three rigs, and my mobile rig in the driveway, cause exactly the
> > same effect when they are transmitting, the band scope, (set to
> > something like 200 KC wide), shows perfectly straight increase across
> > the entire 200 KC's of scope, along the bottom, as a raised noise floor
> > would. It looks like phase noise, but I would expect that to roll off,
> > and not be as flat as this is. I also live close to an AM station,
> > 100KW, and about a mile and a half away, and I see almost the same
> > thing, as I approach the station frequency. I can see the entire noise
> > floor raise as I get closer to the station.
> >
> > I have an inrad roofing filter installed to the PRO III. Does this
> > still sound like Phase Noise to you?
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

> One thing I was not clear on in the demo, just how wide can the
> panadaptor be made to show?

200 KHz.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 4/5/2014 1:36 PM, David Cole wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>
> Thanks for your insight, the pro/con list helps a lot. Yes, the
> Panadaptor is a wonderful selling point, and something I can not live
> without anymore. The Pro III spoiled me in that way.
>
> One thing I was not clear on in the demo, just how wide can the
> panadaptor be made to show?
>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

NK7Z

Re: Considering a K3

Joe,

Have you, (or anyone else), anything to say about the Noise Filtering
the K3 has? I have a VERY noisy environment on 40 meters here, we live
in Oregon, and lots of farmers and their lights in the area... How does
the K3 deal with that sort of RFI?
--
Support better RFI practices, please sign this petition:
at Whitehouse.gov

http://wh.gov/lpz5Y

On Sat, 2014-04-05 at 13:42 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> > One thing I was not clear on in the demo, just how wide can the
> > panadaptor be made to show?
>
> 200 KHz.
>
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 4/5/2014 1:36 PM, David Cole wrote:
> > Hi Bill,
> >
> > Thanks for your insight, the pro/con list helps a lot. Yes, the
> > Panadaptor is a wonderful selling point, and something I can not live
> > without anymore. The Pro III spoiled me in that way.
> >
> > One thing I was not clear on in the demo, just how wide can the
> > panadaptor be made to show?
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

k6dgw

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

David,

If you have enough hams setting up and using enough of anything,
eventually they will do everything wrong. :-))

So far, all the "bad transmit audio" threads on this list that I can
remember were problems external to the K3, and to the best of my
knowledge, Elecraft has done nothing to correct "it" because there
hasn't been anything to correct.

A good friend [K9YC] who made his living in the professional audio
business suggested some settings on the TX equalizer for me. I set them
up, and in the small number of SSB contests I enter I never fail to get
at least one unsolicited, "Great audio" comment, usually more than one.
I use a Heil headset with the electret mic that I got from Elecraft.

There is a huge amount of great advice from the Elecraft user community
on this list but just like everything else in life, everyones' mileage
will vary and one person's "horrible thumping on QSK" is not a problem
for others [like me, QSK works just fine for me, better than any full
break-in radio I've ever used].

You will see comments that the *only* way to get the K3 AGC to work
right is to "ride the RF gain." It works for that person but not so for
everyone, I never touch the RF gain and, once I got the AGC parameters
set, I've never needed to. You will find occasional posts about "awful"
hiss from the K3. Possibly for him but again, not a problem with K3/100
#642 and never has been.

I've learned to filter the list some, pejorative adjectives [horrible,
awful, terrible, and the like] are one clue that I probably don't need
to spend a lot of time on this one. You will also begin to identify
those who actually know the answers and you can give them more weight.
Periodically, Don [W3FPR] will patiently explain how to adjust the line
level for AFSK RTTY ... it's always the same simple explanation. :-)

You will be hard pressed to find customer service anywhere else like we
all get from Elecraft. I was born with no color vision and when I got
the P3, I couldn't see weaker signals in the color waterfall, no
contrast with the background. I mentioned it in a post. The next P3 FW
update from Alan included a monochrome option in the menu.

There are several good transceivers out there. The K3 is one of them.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014
- www.cqp.org

On 4/5/2014 9:58 AM, David Cole wrote:

> In my wanderings across the net looking for data on the K3, saw
> reference to bad audio on transmit from the K3, these were 2 year old
> posts. Was there an issue, or was it user setup, and if an issue, did
> Elecraft correct it? I saw some changes were made two the transmit
> audio, was this done to correct the issue, if there was an issue.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Dave-7

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

Dave,

You might want to review the method used by the ARRL for their
blocking and IMD testing. For these tests they use an extremely narrow
bandwidth, maybe as narrow as 10 or 20 Hz. Completely unrealistic for
any normal use.

What you want to look at is the *lower* of BDR/IMD *or* 'reciprocal
mixing dynamic range'. For the K3 the RMDR is much lower than IMD/BDR.

You might also want to check Sherwood Engineering's site. His
'receiver test data'. He does not use such unrealistic test methods.

The K3 is still better than the Pro3 but not as much as ARRL numbers
indicate.

And note that what you are seeing is likely TX phase noise from the
other transmitters. There is nothing you can do about that. The TX has
to clean up their act.

73 de dave
ab9ca/4

On 4/5/14 11:51 AM, David Cole wrote:

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

Highly unlikely, Dave. Elecraft started in 1998 or
so and has grown by measured steps, well planned
from all appearances, vs. a flash in the pan. The
K3 was preceded by the K2, K1, KX1 and several
other products, all introduced slowly and with
great support. As a result Elecraft has a very
dedicated customer base.

I'm an amateur astronomer and companies there are
a bit unstable -- even the biggies like Meade.

Not to worry!

73, Phil

On 4/5/14, 10:09 AM, David Cole wrote:

> Hi Robers,
> Thanks for the nice overview, Is there any issue you might be aware of
> that might cause Elecraft to cease production of the K3, or go away as a
> company?
>
> The reasons I ask is I just had a friend who spent $5K on a CCD camera
> for his telescope, only to find the company got bought days after he
> spent the cash... Things do not look good for that company keeping that
> item in their lineup. That is why I am asking. I have heard nothing
> indicating that Elecraft has any issues of any kind like that.

Nate Bargmann

Re: Considering a K3

In reply to this post by NK7Z

* On 2014 05 Apr 12:55 -0500, David Cole wrote:
> Joe,
>
> Have you, (or anyone else), anything to say about the Noise Filtering
> the K3 has? I have a VERY noisy environment on 40 meters here, we live
> in Oregon, and lots of farmers and their lights in the area... How does
> the K3 deal with that sort of RFI?

I've just moved out of a town where the past several months I had severe
noise that I wasn't sure just what its source was. The K3's noise
blankers allowed me to continue operating even though some nights it
really put those blankers to the test. One is a "normal" type of IF
blanker and the other is incororated into the DSP. Each will be
effective on a different sort of noise and sometimes better results will
be found with each enabled or separately.

I've yet to get a wire up at the present QTH but so far things should be
much better than I endured in town.

73, de Nate >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]