FT-5000
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I've been a CW proponent for 52 years, now, and have done my share of
DXing, contesting, and rag chewing. I just sold two FT-1000s (one D; one non-D) that I've been using for about 10 years in an SO2R station. I replaced them with a pair of K3s. If I did a time-motion study of my actions during a contest, my hand would more than likely be either on the keyboard or the VFO A knob. What matters, though, is what I'm hearing. In the recent ARRL DX contest, the signals just sounded more crisp and discernible with the K3 compared with my FT-1000s. Only when I had four or more JAs piling up on me was it sometimes hard to pull out a call. I probably operate 99 percent CW, 0.8 percent RTTY, and 0.2 percent SSB. I don't need AM, FM, full coverage, etc. And, I didn't have to pay for them, either. Try that with an IC or FT radio. In the end, though, we're all individuals. One of my buddies who owns a K3 and IC-7800 told me he likes the Icom better. I hope so. It cost him $7,000 more. I've never used a panadaptor, but I'm looking forward to playing with a P3. After clearing the space taken up by the two FT-1000s, I certainly have the room for one (or two) of them. 73, Rob K6RB ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by n7ws
Wes,
Yes, the K3 does have a few warts that have to be worked out. It will never be "finished" as far as things like the audio amp/mono plug problem and similar hardware related problems. As a parallel, when there is a particular problem identified on the K2, K1, KX1, or any other Elecraft product, that problem is addressed even though that product may be "finished". What I believe "finished" means to Elecraft is that no further options or upgrades will be offered other than those that are already on the books. Problems will always be addressed, and usually as quickly as possible. "Finished" is not the same as 'obsolete' or "no longer supported". After 10 years, Elecraft customers have not heard anything about 'obsolete' or 'no longer supported'. I don't worry about my Elecraft K2 SN 00020, but I do have concerns about my Yaesu FT-900 or Yaesu 847 should something go wrong with either of them - I guess I just scrap them out or parts. I am not certain how long that situation will last, but from all indications I have it will be a long time into the future. I have no "inside information" on this subject, but that comment is based on my opinion formed after a long and close relationship working with Wayne and Eric and all the rest of the Elecraft crew. If there is any planned product obsolescence, I have not heard anything about it. Yes, the Elecraft resource focus is on the P3 at the moment causing a momentary lull in the K3 activity, but the K3 "list" is still present and is being worked at bit by bit. 73, Don W3FPR Wes Stewart wrote: > Personally, I'm reasonably happy with my K3 and I'm not interested in the FT5000 (although the new Kenwood tease might be a different story) but the K3 still has warts. And it appears that it's *done* at least for now, as I suspect the P3 has all of the focus these days. > > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by n7ws
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I realize this is already OT and making any critical comments about K3s is dangerous in this forum, but how can you say this? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't agree at all with that. Critical comments are made all the time, and the issues are usually fixed. Some of the comments like "the K3 is noisy" are operator error in my opinion, and that subject brings up replies that may not sit well with some. Look at this page. "K3 Alerts, Enhancements and Application Notes". I never saw a page like that for the Mark-V or the Kenwood TS-950SD that I had before it. Kenwood did at least have the mods available on paper, while Yaesu never admits that anything is ever wrong with their rigs. Like every rig I have owned for the last 35 years of being a ham, the K3 has issues. The good part, is Elecraft actualy admits to, and fixes problems. My original Yaesu FT-817 blew the drivers and finals like many others. Yaesu's response was, "There is no problem, don't beleive what you read on the internet". Rather then deal with them, I replaced the drivers and finals with heavier Mitsubishi mosfets. Now I can run that FT-817 into a dummy load at 5 watts for a hour, and while too hot to touch, it doesn't blow-up. Let we know if you find anything on Yaesu's site, that admits to any problems on any of their products. Obviously, they are just perfect. :>) So while this is all a bit OT, the fact remains that beyond comparing specs, there are differences that go beyond specs. The K3 has specs and support. A good combination, even if it needs some fixes. At least you will get the fixes, and not a run around. |
Re: FT-5000 [END of Thread]
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Administrator
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Let's end this thread before we beat it to death. :-)
73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft Moderator ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Locherbob
Bob said:
"the K3 is on top, but it is also a very technical radio. ... I think that's a good thing, but others just want to push a button," COULD we say that the K3 is the radio for people who like to use their brains, and the KenYaeCom radios are for the appliance operators? Two completely different markets. eric VA7DZ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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I'm a appliance operator (licensed 61 years) and have a K3. Philip LaMarche LaMarche Enterprises, Inc 727-944-3226 727-937-8834 Fax 727-510-5038 Cell www.w9dvm.com K3 #1605 CCA 98-00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of eric manning Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:59 AM To: [hidden email] Cc: peter driessen Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FT-5000 Bob said: "the K3 is on top, but it is also a very technical radio. ... I think that's a good thing, but others just want to push a button," COULD we say that the K3 is the radio for people who like to use their brains, and the KenYaeCom radios are for the appliance operators? Two completely different markets. eric VA7DZ -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Eric Manning
Some people will always prefer the Yeacomwood appliance. If they didn't
it would be a somewhat limited market -- Phil Carter, WD8QWR QRPARCI #9986, CQRP #3 Fists #6514, FP #262 QCWA #32302, NAQCC #3451 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by Eric Manning
Using the K3 isn't exactly in the same league as flying a space
shuttle. This is (or at least used to be) a technical hobby. If the K3 is "too complicated" for someone to use, he probably needs to find a new, less complicated hobby. Perhaps basket weaving. 73, Paul WW2PT On Feb 28, 2010, at 10:59 AM, eric manning wrote: > Bob said: > > "the K3 is on top, but it is also a very technical radio. > ... > I think > that's a good thing, but others just want to push a button," > > COULD we say that the K3 is the radio for people who like to use > their brains, > and the KenYaeCom radios are for the appliance operators? > > Two completely different markets. > > eric > VA7DZ 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 |
Re: FT-5000 [END of Thread - Really!]
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In reply to this post by Philip Carter-3
Folks - This thread was ended several days ago..
73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft List Moderator _..._ Philip Carter wrote: > Some people will always prefer the Yeacomwood appliance. If they didn't > it would be a somewhat limited market > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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