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Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

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ae4pb

Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has changed that I'm trying to catch up.
Thanks in advance.

Jerry Moore

AE4PB

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

No brainer — buy the K3S if money is not too much of a problem!

But, if you use your brain and maybe factor in the difference in cost, a K3 is a great radio too. However, if it were me in the same situation I would go for latest and greatest equipment.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has changed that I'm trying to catch up.
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> Jerry Moore
>
> AE4PB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

I'm sure others will weigh in, Jerry, but IMO from
a performance standpoint no -- so long as you have
(or add) the new synth board in the pre-owned K3.
Of course, there are the usual used vs. new issues:

* No warranty
* Potential defects which have arisen in the used K3

Now if you work 6 meters or are very fussy about
your RX audio, the K3S has pluses, though most
(all?) of those can be addressed by upgrades which
are (or will be) available to the K3.

73, Phil W7OX (I'm keeping my K3!)

On 7/28/15 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has changed that I'm trying to catch up.
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> Jerry Moore
>
> AE4PB

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ae4pb

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Good points all around so far.
My goal is DXCC/WAS then work DXCC for each band/mode. I aspire to primarily do CW but am currently re-learning the code with the goal to be armchair copy over 20wpm (we'll see how that goes).
The opportunities I have are limited antennas currently and we may yet move in the next 1-5 years. Currently running a buckmaster 7 band OCF 300w version directed towards EU. The short term plan is to construct some better receiving antennas (vertical loop perhaps? Not enough room for proper beverages). Long term plan is a crankup/foldover tower with two or more elements on 40/20/15 as high as I can get it.

At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).

If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?

Thanks in advance.

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Hystad [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 11:32 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

No brainer — buy the K3S if money is not too much of a problem!

But, if you use your brain and maybe factor in the difference in cost, a K3 is a great radio too. However, if it were me in the same situation I would go for latest and greatest equipment.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm
> returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has
> changed that I'm trying to catch up.
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> Jerry Moore
>
> AE4PB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

ae4pb

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

Re "If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the
same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I
hear a difference in signal quality,
noise....etc.. ?": Likely a question that Wayne,
Eric or someone else at Elecraft alone can
address. Few users have had a chance to listen to
both rigs :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 7/28/15 8:48 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Good points all around so far.
> My goal is DXCC/WAS then work DXCC for each band/mode. I aspire to primarily do CW but am currently re-learning the code with the goal to be armchair copy over 20wpm (we'll see how that goes).
> The opportunities I have are limited antennas currently and we may yet move in the next 1-5 years. Currently running a buckmaster 7 band OCF 300w version directed towards EU. The short term plan is to construct some better receiving antennas (vertical loop perhaps? Not enough room for proper beverages). Long term plan is a crankup/foldover tower with two or more elements on 40/20/15 as high as I can get it.
>
> At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).
>
> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?
>
> Thanks in advance.

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

I think that all would agree that unless $Money is the big issue in the decision, go for the K3S. Unless of course there is some reason to want an older model. Yes, the K3 can be updated with the most important *new* features of the K3S by why do that — unless money is the issue.

Yes, I too am keeping my K3 (and soon be upgrading to the new synth board) but this is only because I have not yet used up my current K3 — you don’t ask for a new slice of pie when there is pie remaining on your plate!

So, if $ is not an issue — buy the K3S.

73, phil, K7PEH

P.S. Then again — I am the type of guy to buy a new latest model car (or, in my case, pickup truck) rather than a used when when I go car shopping.

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:36 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I'm sure others will weigh in, Jerry, but IMO from a performance standpoint no -- so long as you have (or add) the new synth board in the pre-owned K3. Of course, there are the usual used vs. new issues:
>
> * No warranty
> * Potential defects which have arisen in the used K3
>
> Now if you work 6 meters or are very fussy about your RX audio, the K3S has pluses, though most (all?) of those can be addressed by upgrades which are (or will be) available to the K3.
>
> 73, Phil W7OX (I'm keeping my K3!)
>
>
> On 7/28/15 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has changed that I'm trying to catch up.
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>> Jerry Moore
>>
>> AE4PB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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Jim Wilkie

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Lets face it guys, a K3 is a K3s it just doesn't know it yet !!

Jim WY4R

On 7/28/2015 12:10 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> Re "If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna,
> properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal
> quality, noise....etc.. ?": Likely a question that Wayne, Eric or
> someone else at Elecraft alone can address. Few users have had a
> chance to listen to both rigs :-)
>
> 73, Phil W7OX
>
> On 7/28/15 8:48 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Good points all around so far.
>> My goal is DXCC/WAS then work DXCC for each band/mode. I aspire to
>> primarily do CW but am currently re-learning the code with the goal
>> to be armchair copy over 20wpm (we'll see how that goes).
>> The opportunities I have are limited antennas currently and we may
>> yet move in the next 1-5 years. Currently running a buckmaster 7 band
>> OCF 300w version directed towards EU. The short term plan is to
>> construct some better receiving antennas (vertical loop perhaps? Not
>> enough room for proper beverages). Long term plan is a
>> crankup/foldover tower with two or more elements on 40/20/15 as high
>> as I can get it.
>>
>> At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).
>>
>> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly
>> adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality,
>> noise....etc.. ?
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 Hystad-3

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

> At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).

At 50, you are part of the youth crowd in this hobby. In 2004, I returned to ham radio after a 37 year absence since my Novice days in the mid 1960s. I was 57 years old in 2004. Since returning to the hobby 11 years ago, I have bought many rigs but my main at home station rig were: Icom 756 (non-pro) used, new Icom 756 Pro III, new Elecraft K3, new Elecraft KX3 (for portable work and as a backup rig).

At 68, I am pretty sure that my current K3 is not my last rig — I am still waiting for the K4 or maybe K5.

73, phil, K7PEH

P.S. About CW and returning to the code — when I returned to the hobby in 2004 I operated SSB only for 3 years. In 2007, I got interested in CW again. It had been 40 years since the last time I even heard a CW signal. If you had asked me for the CW code of the letter F or G or whatever, I probably couldn’t tell you. But, within a week’s time of listening to CW, I was copying again at about 13 to 15 wpm. My speed I obtained as a novice 40 years prior was about 20 wpm and I was the most surprised guy that it came back so quickly. Two weeks after the decision to get back to CW I made my first straight key CW contact. And, I flubbed it. I had not done any practice with the key on sending thinking that it was automatic and easy. Today, I am armchair at 20 wpm and during contests I can copy in the 30 to 35 wpm range (easy as contest exchanges are very easy to copy). My key of choice is my Begali Magnetic Classic Paddle.

So, good luck on the CW — it represents better than 95 percent of all my contacts these days. I haven’t called CQ in SSB for maybe 3 or 4 years.

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
> Good points all around so far.
> My goal is DXCC/WAS then work DXCC for each band/mode. I aspire to primarily do CW but am currently re-learning the code with the goal to be armchair copy over 20wpm (we'll see how that goes).
> The opportunities I have are limited antennas currently and we may yet move in the next 1-5 years. Currently running a buckmaster 7 band OCF 300w version directed towards EU. The short term plan is to construct some better receiving antennas (vertical loop perhaps? Not enough room for proper beverages). Long term plan is a crankup/foldover tower with two or more elements on 40/20/15 as high as I can get it.
>
> At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).
>
> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phil Hystad [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 11:32 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?
>
> No brainer — buy the K3S if money is not too much of a problem!
>
> But, if you use your brain and maybe factor in the difference in cost, a K3 is a great radio too. However, if it were me in the same situation I would go for latest and greatest equipment.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
>
>> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>
>> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3? I'm
>> returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So much has
>> changed that I'm trying to catch up.
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jerry Moore
>>
>> AE4PB
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by ae4pb

On Tue,7/28/2015 8:48 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?

Especially after hearing about your goals, my recommendation is that you
save yourself a lot of money and buy a late vintage K3, then upgrade to
the K3SYNA board and the KIO3B board. The K3SYNA gets you improved RX
and TX phase noise, and is 90% of the difference between a K3 and K3S.
Cost is about $220, you install it in 15 minutes. The KIO3B gets you the
latest preamp, which is a significant improvement on 10M and 6M.

Spend your cost savings on a better antenna and/or adding a P3 or
second RX.

The differences between the K3 and K3S mostly matter when you're a
serious contester, or if a neighbor ham living close to you is active
when you are, or when you take your rig to Field Day. For the same
reasons, I suggest that you avoid buying roofing filters until you've
used the rig for a while. For your operating plans, you probably won't
need them.

I have a pair of early vintage K3s (2007) and I'm a serious contester. I
did exactly those upgrades.

73, Jim K9YC
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John Kramer

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

My uneducated guess, is that on paper there will be a big difference….but in the real world, listening on air
and trying to compare the difference, it would be hard to tell them apart.
We (and I include myself in this) are too paranoid about every db or dBm that is reported in a test. I guess it’s
the same as the power guys - trying to get every watt out of their radio - they complain that their rig is only
putting out 95 watts, and they want to turn it up to 100 watts. To make a noticeable difference they would
need at least 3 db or a doubling of power.

I can’t remember if it was Eric or Wayne that said - getting your rig to the top of the Sherwood list is really
only a great accomplishment for the engineers and designers, because all the rigs in the top 10 will hear equally well
for the guys that actually use them on air.

73
John

On 28 Jul 2015, at 6:10 PM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:

Re "If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?": Likely a question that Wayne, Eric or someone else at Elecraft alone can address. Few users have had a chance to listen to both rigs :-)

73, Phil W7OX

On 7/28/15 8:48 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Good points all around so far.
> My goal is DXCC/WAS then work DXCC for each band/mode. I aspire to primarily do CW but am currently re-learning the code with the goal to be armchair copy over 20wpm (we'll see how that goes).
> The opportunities I have are limited antennas currently and we may yet move in the next 1-5 years. Currently running a buckmaster 7 band OCF 300w version directed towards EU. The short term plan is to construct some better receiving antennas (vertical loop perhaps? Not enough room for proper beverages). Long term plan is a crankup/foldover tower with two or more elements on 40/20/15 as high as I can get it.
>
> At 50 my goal is to buy the last HF rig I'll need (hopefully).
>
> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality, noise....etc.. ?
>
> Thanks in advance.

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Don Field

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

As with the answer to most questions, it depends!!

If raw RF performance is what it's about or if you work 6m and find the
sensitivity on the low side, then a K3S. But for most QSOs, you won't
observe any difference, I suspect.

I've just had a K3S here for the weekend to review (I edit Practical
Wireless - sort of UK equivalent to CQ). I already own a fully-loaded K3
and have used K3 rigs to great success on several expeditions and in
contests. What stood out for me as being a major improvement was the USB
interface - so much easier to interface to the PC, run data modes, etc.

Beyond that, the question is really, what is a K3 or what is a K3S? There
are so many add-ons available (I, for example, need CW filters and a second
rx) and a K3 can be upgraded with many of the new K3S boards that it needs
a long hard think about where to spend your money. A fully-loaded K3 or K3S
is NOT a cheap radio (but it's good).

Don G3XTT

On 28 July 2015 at 17:51, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On Tue,7/28/2015 8:48 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>
>> If I had a K3 and a K3S side by side with the same antenna, properly
>> adjusted and tuned, could I hear a difference in signal quality,
>> noise....etc.. ?
>>
>
> Especially after hearing about your goals, my recommendation is that you
> save yourself a lot of money and buy a late vintage K3, then upgrade to the
> K3SYNA board and the KIO3B board. The K3SYNA gets you improved RX and TX
> phase noise, and is 90% of the difference between a K3 and K3S. Cost is
> about $220, you install it in 15 minutes. The KIO3B gets you the latest
> preamp, which is a significant improvement on 10M and 6M.
>
> Spend your cost savings on a better antenna and/or adding a P3 or second
> RX.
>
> The differences between the K3 and K3S mostly matter when you're a serious
> contester, or if a neighbor ham living close to you is active when you are,
> or when you take your rig to Field Day. For the same reasons, I suggest
> that you avoid buying roofing filters until you've used the rig for a
> while. For your operating plans, you probably won't need them.
>
> I have a pair of early vintage K3s (2007) and I'm a serious contester. I
> did exactly those upgrades.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

Jim AB3CV

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by John Kramer

I just sold my K3 #1210 and finished putting together a loaded K3S #10122.

The net cost difference was about $0.07 per day over the time I owned the
K3. Easy way for me to rationalize!

I don't think Elecraft would have gone to the trouble of doing this
expensive and extensive redesign if there wasn't benefit to the product
now, and more importantly to me, in the future.

I suspect it gives it legs in ways that haven't been disclosed yet.

I really appreciate the cleanup of the cabling on the K3S with USB and the
internal replacement of the PR6.

At 67 it's likely my last rig. I plan to enjoy it!

73

jim ab3cv
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

To me the audio enhancement for the K3S is expected to be a nice
improvement. Historically some have expressed previous concerns
regarding K3 audio quality, stating it was noted to be "fatiguing". I
had available at my disposal a K3/10 and later a K3/100 the result of
being asked to assemble those for folks that didn't feel qualified to do
so. I agree, the audio, compared to other radios, seemed to be
"strained". With the published information regarding the K3S and its
enhanced audio features, this sure looks like a nice forward step on
behalf of Elecraft.

I'm waiting on my K3S to arrive and I'll add, I'm coming from a long
line of another brand of radio that is noted to have great audio quality.

To explain it another way.........The strength of a chain is defined by
its weakest link.

73 Bob, K4TAX

On 7/28/2015 12:07 PM, Jim Miller wrote:

> I just sold my K3 #1210 and finished putting together a loaded K3S #10122.
>
> The net cost difference was about $0.07 per day over the time I owned the
> K3. Easy way for me to rationalize!
>
> I don't think Elecraft would have gone to the trouble of doing this
> expensive and extensive redesign if there wasn't benefit to the product
> now, and more importantly to me, in the future.
>
> I suspect it gives it legs in ways that haven't been disclosed yet.
>
> I really appreciate the cleanup of the cabling on the K3S with USB and the
> internal replacement of the PR6.
>
> At 67 it's likely my last rig. I plan to enjoy it!
>
> 73
>
> jim ab3cv
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>
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>
>
>

Jim Brown-10

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

On Tue,7/28/2015 10:57 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> I agree, the audio, compared to other radios, seemed to be "strained".

Both Bob and I are retired from careers in pro audio and broadcasting.
I've never had even the least dissatisfaction with audio from my K3s.
I'm a contester and DXer, prefer CW but also do SSB contests to
contribute to club efforts, and almost never do casual ragchewing. I
mostly use headphones, either Sony MDR7506 or Yamaha CM500. I use the
speaker for casual listening -- monitoring while I'm in the shack or
running digital modes.

73, Jim K9YC

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Grant Youngman

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

The audio enhancement on the new DSP board will be available for the K3 later this year.

Grant NQ5T

Sent from my iPhone

>
> To me the audio enhancement for the K3S is expected to be a nice improvement.
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Grant Youngman

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

I'm not sure how those P-P 6V6s fit on the DSP board, though :D

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 1:20 PM, Grant Youngman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The audio enhancement on the new DSP board will be available for the K3 later this year.
>
> Grant NQ5T
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>>
>> To me the audio enhancement for the K3S is expected to be a nice improvement.

Dave Hachadorian-2

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of aused K3 ?

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

I have a pair of K3's which I recently upgraded with the KSYN3A
Boards. I didn't do any precise measurements, and I can't tell
how they sound on the other end, but I didn't notice any
night-and-day real-world difference in receiving during the NAQP
RTTY or IARU (CW) Contests. The K3 was excellent before, and it
is still excellent with the KSYN3A. I think the spec differences
between the radios are down in the weeds.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Hystad
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 9:14 AM
To: Phil Wheeler
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Is there a good reason to buy a K3S
instead of aused K3 ?

I think that all would agree that unless $Money is the big issue
in the decision, go for the K3S. Unless of course there is some
reason to want an older model. Yes, the K3 can be updated with
the most important *new* features of the K3S by why do that —
unless money is the issue.

Yes, I too am keeping my K3 (and soon be upgrading to the new
synth board) but this is only because I have not yet used up my
current K3 — you don’t ask for a new slice of pie when there is
pie remaining on your plate!

So, if $ is not an issue — buy the K3S.

73, phil, K7PEH

P.S. Then again — I am the type of guy to buy a new latest model
car (or, in my case, pickup truck) rather than a used when when I
go car shopping.

> On Jul 28, 2015, at 8:36 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> I'm sure others will weigh in, Jerry, but IMO from a
> performance standpoint no -- so long as you have (or add) the
> new synth board in the pre-owned K3. Of course, there are the
> usual used vs. new issues:
>
> * No warranty
> * Potential defects which have arisen in the used K3
>
> Now if you work 6 meters or are very fussy about your RX audio,
> the K3S has pluses, though most (all?) of those can be
> addressed by upgrades which are (or will be) available to the
> K3.
>
> 73, Phil W7OX (I'm keeping my K3!)
>
>
> On 7/28/15 8:02 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
>> Is there a good reason to get a K3s instead of a preowned K3?
>> I'm returning to the hobby and looking hard at the K3S. So
>> much has changed that I'm trying to catch up.
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>>
>> Jerry Moore
>>
>> AE4PB
>
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dmb@lightstream.net

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of aused K3 ?

IMHO, the difference in the CW keying timing between the original
synthesizer and the new KSYN3A IS night and day, and for me, that
improvement justifies the cost even without considering the phase noise
and other improvements. It's so nice to be able to engage split, or RIT,
or XIT while maintaining the excellent CW element timing!

73, Dale
WA8SRA

> ... but I didn't notice any
> night-and-day real-world difference in receiving during the NAQP
> RTTY or IARU (CW) Contests. The K3 was excellent before, and it
> is still excellent with the KSYN3A. I think the spec differences
> between the radios are down in the weeds.
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Yuma, AZ

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Al Gulseth-2

Re: Is there a good reason to buy a K3S instead of a used K3 ?

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Jim hit the nail on the head. Unless your ham radio budget is unlimited
(unlike most of us) take a look at what you're willing to spend and then
balance it across the system. To belabor the obvious: a K3S with all the
bells and whistles driving a legal limit amp into a dummy load might net you
a contact across town. On the other hand, a K3/10 (or even a K2/10) into
stacked monobanders or the LARAE (Line Array of Rotary Antennas in Echelon)
from the ARRL Antenna Compendium would put you well on the way to DXCC etc.

73, Al

On Tue July 28 2015 11:51:20 am Jim Brown wrote:

> Especially after hearing about your goals, my recommendation is that you
> save yourself a lot of money and buy a late vintage K3, then upgrade to
> the K3SYNA board and the KIO3B board.....
>
> Spend your cost savings on a better antenna and/or adding a P3 or
> second RX.
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