Itching for a new rig
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The first few years that I was licensed, I bought a new rig almost every year.
In the last ten years I have only bought two HF rigs. I sold the first one because, I didn't really like it and then I bought a K2 #6113 that I built four years ago and it's now my main rig. Lately I've been getting the new rig itch. I've compared all the rigs that I'm interested in. They all have their strengths and weaknesses as far as the type of operating that I do. I've looked at all the specs and downloaded as much info as I can. I've even read some of the manuals as well as reviews. I've watched as many Youtube videos as possible since some of the rigs I have never seen or heard. I've made several visits to HRO. I know that this is an Elecraft reflector and I do own a K2 as will as other Elecraft kits but, you still have to check out the competition, right? ;-) Now, over the last few years, I've been saving my money to buy a new rig. I thought that this would be the year that I treat myself to a nice Christmas present. Other than performance, I'm also considering, sound, ease of use, quality of build, price, service and looks. When I say looks, I don't mean ergonomics. I mean how it looks. I never really thought about looks before until I saw several people mention it in reviews. I suppose that makes me an HF rig fashion snob. So be it. Anyway, I've narrowed my selection down to two or three rigs, one of them being the K3. Now I have overloaded myself with so much information that I'm like a deer caught in the headlights, not knowing which way to go. I keep coming back to my K2 and thinking that I really can't get much better than that. It's a super rig. I just had to post this to help clear my mind so, that I might be able to make a decision...or not. Thanks for listening, Gary, N7HTS ______________________________________________________________ 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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If you've done the due dillogence you claim then you likely have read the
Eham reviews of the K3. There are several interesting comparrisons there. I can only add that it is quite simply the best rig i've ever owned in almost every way. I can't imagine you'd be dissapointed if you went with the K3. 73, Lou WA3MIX Lou kolb Voice-over Artist: Radio/TV Adds, Video narrations Messages On-hold: www.loukolb.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary D Krause" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 3:04 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Itching for a new rig > The first few years that I was licensed, I bought a new rig almost every > year. > In the last ten years I have only bought two HF rigs. I sold the first > one > because, I didn't really like it and then I bought a K2 #6113 that I built > four years ago and it's now my main rig. > > Lately I've been getting the new rig itch. I've compared all the rigs > that > I'm interested in. They all have their strengths and weaknesses as far as > the > type of operating that I do. I've looked at all the specs and downloaded > as > much info as I can. I've even read some of the manuals as well as > reviews. > I've watched as many Youtube videos as possible since some of the rigs I > have > never seen or heard. I've made several visits to HRO. I know that this > is an > Elecraft reflector and I do own a K2 as will as other Elecraft kits but, > you > still have to check out the competition, right? ;-) > > Now, over the last few years, I've been saving my money to buy a new rig. > I > thought that this would be the year that I treat myself to a nice > Christmas > present. Other than performance, I'm also considering, sound, ease of > use, > quality of build, price, service and looks. When I say looks, I don't > mean > ergonomics. I mean how it looks. I never really thought about looks > before > until I saw several people mention it in reviews. I suppose that makes me > an > HF rig fashion snob. So be it. > > Anyway, I've narrowed my selection down to two or three rigs, one of them > being the K3. Now I have overloaded myself with so much information that > I'm > like a deer caught in the headlights, not knowing which way to go. I keep > coming back to my K2 and thinking that I really can't get much better than > that. It's a super rig. > > I just had to post this to help clear my mind so, that I might be able to > make > a decision...or not. > > Thanks for listening, > Gary, N7HTS > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 Gary D Krause
Hello All,
In few days I'll get my K3 in kit version. I was reading the instruction manual and did not figured out before 1st power-on step (before calibration) if I can install the 2nd RX-KRX3 and KBPF's on both RX's and than run calibration steps with both RX's installed (including 2nd RX DSP board). There are any optional kit restrictions installation in 1st calibration step that I need to take care? I have also KDVR3 and KXV3A. I was actually wondering to do installation for all my optional boards than run calibration and allignment. Is this possible? The assembly manual is not clear or maybe I missed something in documentation. Any help/advise is more than welecome. 73 de VE3GNO Daniel ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 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 Gary D Krause
Gary,
Over the years I've owned almost everything. Last two radio's before the K3 was the 756PRO3 and Flex 5000. Loved both of them. 3 1/2 years ago I purchased the K3, loaded, factory assembled. No need to go over the reasons, but I have purchased my last HF radio. I love it so much and it just keeps getting better. It's smarter than I am and I learn from it daily. Now have the P3 and KPA500 and I've very satisfied. With each upgrade it continues to grow. There's no decision to make...K3 all the way. Phil Philip LaMarche LaMarche Enterprises, Inc [hidden email] www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com 727-944-3226 727-937-8834 Fax 727-510-5038 Cell www.w9dvm.com K3 # 1605 KPA500 # 029 P3 #1480 CCA 98-00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM ______________________________________________________________ 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 Gary D Krause
As past owner of Hallicrafters, TenTec, Flex, K2 and (presently) K3, I
can say that the K3 is the best durn rig I've had in 65 years of hamming it up. WRT superficial looks, it is fairly typical of the present genre, but neither stylish nor ugly, just functional, functional, functional. The K2 was also functional, and trading it in on an F3K was quite a serious mistake on my part, cured only by acquisition of the K3/100 Ser. No. 4103. John Ragle -- W1ZI ===== On 11/30/2011 3:04 PM, Gary D Krause wrote: > The first few years that I was licensed, I bought a new rig almost every year. > In the last ten years I have only bought two HF rigs. I sold the first one > because, I didn't really like it and then I bought a K2 #6113 that I built > four years ago and it's now my main rig. > > Lately I've been getting the new rig itch. I've compared all the rigs that > I'm interested in. They all have their strengths and weaknesses as far as the > type of operating that I do. I've looked at all the specs and downloaded as > much info as I can. I've even read some of the manuals as well as reviews. > I've watched as many Youtube videos as possible since some of the rigs I have > never seen or heard. I've made several visits to HRO. I know that this is an > Elecraft reflector and I do own a K2 as will as other Elecraft kits but, you > still have to check out the competition, right? ;-) > > Now, over the last few years, I've been saving my money to buy a new rig. I > thought that this would be the year that I treat myself to a nice Christmas > present. Other than performance, I'm also considering, sound, ease of use, > quality of build, price, service and looks. When I say looks, I don't mean > ergonomics. I mean how it looks. I never really thought about looks before > until I saw several people mention it in reviews. I suppose that makes me an > HF rig fashion snob. So be it. > > Anyway, I've narrowed my selection down to two or three rigs, one of them > being the K3. Now I have overloaded myself with so much information that I'm > like a deer caught in the headlights, not knowing which way to go. I keep > coming back to my K2 and thinking that I really can't get much better than > that. It's a super rig. > > I just had to post this to help clear my mind so, that I might be able to make > a decision...or not. > > Thanks for listening, > Gary, N7HTS > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > > > -- Sent from my lovely old Dell XPS 420 ______________________________________________________________ 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: K3 is yet to come in my shack
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In reply to this post by VE3GNO Daniel
Daniel,
It all depends on your confidence and skill level for troubleshooting. If your confidence level for finding and troubleshooting problems is high, then put it all together and give it the old "smoke test". OTOH, if you want to bring things up stage by stage, follow the assembly manual as it is written, and do everything one step at a time. If you have the basic K3 working fine, and add an option where the results are not as expected, you can concentrate on what you did since it worked last. If you instead choose the "put it all together and then test" approach, and a problem is encountered, about all that can be said is that the problem is "somewhere inside the K3" rather than being related to a specific option. 73, Don W3FPR. On 11/30/2011 3:47 PM, VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel wrote: > Hello All, > > In few days I'll get my K3 in kit version. I was reading the instruction manual and did not figured out before 1st power-on step (before calibration) if I can install the 2nd RX-KRX3 and KBPF's on both RX's and than run calibration steps with both RX's installed (including 2nd RX DSP board). There are any optional kit restrictions installation in 1st calibration step that I need to take care? I have also KDVR3 and KXV3A. I was actually wondering to do installation for all my optional boards than run calibration and allignment. Is this possible? The assembly manual is not clear or maybe I missed something in documentation. Any help/advise is more than welecome. > > 73 de VE3GNO Daniel > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Phil LaMarche-2
Thanks guys. Every once in a while, I make a post like this because, I get
itchy. I know that there is at least one ham here that has a K3 but, I can't remember who that is. I'm sure there are more. One of the things that has concerned me is that some have reported that the K3 is hard to listen to after a while because, of high pitched hiss in the background. I'm sure that this can be adjusted with all the audio settings that the K3 has, right? I get the impression that some people don't quite understand how to use the settings correctly, get frustrated and give up. Another reason to hear one for myself. I've also notice that on the videos I have seen that the K2 always seems to be quieter than the K3 or any other rig. I realize that they may not be using the best audio equipment, etc, but, it seems to be consistent with most videos I have seen. Perhaps someone that has both the K3 and the K2 can shed some light on that here? Thanks, Gary ______________________________________________________________ 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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Gary,
Maybe I can help. The "high pitched hiss" problem has been tackled over 2 years ago with the addition of an audio low pass filter. The reports you are reading do not represent today's K3. That is an unfortunate consequence of Elecraft offering upgraded K3s (and K2s) without releasing a new model number as some other manufacturers are predisposed to do - "if you want it fixed, buy the new model". Elecraft does offer the means for owners to upgrade to the latest level, and that is unique in the "world of ham radios" as far as I know. As for the K2 being more quiet than the K3, I believe that is an illusion. The K3 is more sensitive than the K2, and its antenna input to audio output gain is higher than with the K2. The result is that with "all knobs to the right" operation, the K3 audio will have a louder level of atmospheric band noise. The solution is to turn off the preamp and add attenuation if that helps. Another thing that will help a lot is the settings for the AGC parameters. I encourage anyone with this "problem" to go to my website (www.w3fpr.com) and review the "Noisy K3" article. The bottom line is that the K3 is highly configurable - the default settings are OK for many purposes, but can be refined for particular situations. The K3 has more than ample gain, and its sensitivity is tops in its league - the roofing filters and DSP filtering will allow you to operate quite close to an adjacent signal on the band and you will not even know he is there - that is the best K3 strong point IMHO. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/30/2011 4:26 PM, Gary D Krause wrote: > Thanks guys. Every once in a while, I make a post like this because, I get > itchy. I know that there is at least one ham here that has a K3 but, I can't > remember who that is. I'm sure there are more. > > One of the things that has concerned me is that some have reported that the K3 > is hard to listen to after a while because, of high pitched hiss in the > background. I'm sure that this can be adjusted with all the audio settings > that the K3 has, right? I get the impression that some people don't quite > understand how to use the settings correctly, get frustrated and give up. > Another reason to hear one for myself. I've also notice that on the videos I > have seen that the K2 always seems to be quieter than the K3 or any other rig. > I realize that they may not be using the best audio equipment, etc, but, it > seems to be consistent with most videos I have seen. Perhaps someone that has > both the K3 and the K2 can shed some light on that here? > > Thanks, > Gary > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 Gary D Krause
On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 3:26 PM, Gary D Krause <[hidden email]> wrote:
> ....some have reported that the K3 is hard to listen to after a while... ===== Gary, I have found that the best way to quiet the K3 is not via the audio settings, but by simply backing off the RF gain about 60 - 90 degrees from max. This just about always improves the perceived s/n ratio. When I first got my K3 I was a little frustrated because my beloved but outdated MkV sounded a lot better to my ears, but a simple twist of the RF control put everything right. I have tried A/B with the K3 versus a few other receivers, and it is tops as far as I can tell. I think the only rx in its class is the FTDX5K, but there's probably no discernible performance difference, just a matter of 35 pounds and 2500 bucks. I had a P3, which I liked a lot, and now have LP-Pan plus NaP3 for a bandscope. That combo plus a K3 plus a KPA500 makes for a compact, multi-talented, elegant ham setup. 73, Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 ______________________________________________________________ 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: K3 is yet to come in my shack
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Daniel,
You should not be concerned about firmware incompatibility, I believe Elecraft has taken care of that. Your only concern should be doing too much assembly before doing the testing. If you test after each installation, if a problem is found, it is likely related to what was last added. I did it "one piece at a time" when becoming familiar with the design and the tuning and troubleshooting steps. At this point, I am familiar enough with the K1, KX1, and K2 to ignore all that and just "put it all together, then see what does not work". That skill was developed only after many years of working with those transceivers and becoming familiar with the various in's and out's of each transceiver. So bottom line, if you are either a troubleshooting whiz, or are innately familiar with the transceiver, the best answer is to take it one step at a time and follow the instructions. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/30/2011 4:32 PM, VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel wrote: > Hi Don, > I was thinking to bundle all boards (2nd RX+DVR+IFinterface) except > maybe PA and do rxcal for both RX's than install PA and run TXcal. To > me sounds more risky to do the DDS mount without 2ndRX and run cal > than take out the DDS, insert into sandwitch the 2nd DDS, assamble > back and run cal for 2nd RX. My only concern was if there is any > firmware incompatibility if initially the radio "see" some optional > boards before the smoke test and initial cal. I have no clue if there > is any danger, sw crash or even worse if I bundle all boards before > calibrations. > TNx for advice > 73 > VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel > *From:* Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> > *To:* VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel <[hidden email]> > *Cc:* VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel <[hidden email]>; Elecraft > <[hidden email]> > *Sent:* Wednesday, November 30, 2011 4:18:26 PM > *Subject:* Re: [Elecraft] K3 is yet to come in my shack > > Daniel, > > It all depends on your confidence and skill level for troubleshooting. > If your confidence level for finding and troubleshooting problems is > high, then put it all together and give it the old "smoke test". > > OTOH, if you want to bring things up stage by stage, follow the > assembly manual as it is written, and do everything one step at a > time. If you have the basic K3 working fine, and add an option where > the results are not as expected, you can concentrate on what you did > since it worked last. If you instead choose the "put it all together > and then test" approach, and a problem is encountered, about all that > can be said is that the problem is "somewhere inside the K3" rather > than being related to a specific option. > > 73, > Don W3FPR. > > On 11/30/2011 3:47 PM, VE3GNO/YO3GJC Daniel wrote: > > Hello All, > > > > In few days I'll get my K3 in kit version. I was reading the > instruction manual and did not figured out before 1st power-on step > (before calibration) if I can install the 2nd RX-KRX3 and KBPF's on > both RX's and than run calibration steps with both RX's installed > (including 2nd RX DSP board). There are any optional kit restrictions > installation in 1st calibration step that I need to take care? I have > also KDVR3 and KXV3A. I was actually wondering to do installation for > all my optional boards than run calibration and allignment. Is this > possible? The assembly manual is not clear or maybe I missed something > in documentation. Any help/advise is more than welecome. > > > > 73 de VE3GNO Daniel > > > > 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 Tony Estep
Gary,
This is purely a matter of personal preference. I've used the K3 (with a Heil Pro headset) in 48-hour contests since 2007 and find it a pleasure to use for extended periods. YMMV, but don't assume there is any consensus as to which RXs are easiest to listen to. GL and 73, andy, ae6y p49y -----Original Message----- From: Tony Estep Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 1:53 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Itching for a new rig On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 3:26 PM, Gary D Krause <[hidden email]> wrote: > ....some have reported that the K3 is hard to listen to after a while... ===== Gary, I have found that the best way to quiet the K3 is not via the audio settings, but by simply backing off the RF gain about 60 - 90 degrees from max. This just about always improves the perceived s/n ratio. When I first got my K3 I was a little frustrated because my beloved but outdated MkV sounded a lot better to my ears, but a simple twist of the RF control put everything right. I have tried A/B with the K3 versus a few other receivers, and it is tops as far as I can tell. I think the only rx in its class is the FTDX5K, but there's probably no discernible performance difference, just a matter of 35 pounds and 2500 bucks. I had a P3, which I liked a lot, and now have LP-Pan plus NaP3 for a bandscope. That combo plus a K3 plus a KPA500 makes for a compact, multi-talented, elegant ham setup. 73, Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 ______________________________________________________________ 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 Gary D Krause
I've owned my K3 since August and have used it for long hours in several
recent contests (November Sweeps and CQWW) and it has performed flawlessly. Compared to my other rig, an Icom 746pro, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my operator fatigue was much lower using the K3. Put headphones on, kick in narrow roofing filter and the Audio Effects (AFX) switch, and go to town. The AFX feature gives a quasi-stereo effect that "opens" up the sound of the band and I like it so much I never turn it off now. I think this is a great feature of the K3; I don't know if any other high end rigs have it. With the 400hz roofing filter in line on CW, the band was quiet and often the only thing I could hear was the other station I was working right on my frequency. Only when I opened up the bandwidth on the receiver was I reminded that the band was loaded with other contesters. Don't get me wrong the 746pro is a good radio and I've owned some other good ones too, but the K3 is my best/favorite so far. Jim, N4KH -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gary D Krause Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 3:27 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Itching for a new rig Thanks guys. Every once in a while, I make a post like this because, I get itchy. I know that there is at least one ham here that has a K3 but, I can't remember who that is. I'm sure there are more. One of the things that has concerned me is that some have reported that the K3 is hard to listen to after a while because, of high pitched hiss in the background. I'm sure that this can be adjusted with all the audio settings that the K3 has, right? I get the impression that some people don't quite understand how to use the settings correctly, get frustrated and give up. Another reason to hear one for myself. I've also notice that on the videos I have seen that the K2 always seems to be quieter than the K3 or any other rig. I realize that they may not be using the best audio equipment, etc, but, it seems to be consistent with most videos I have seen. Perhaps someone that has both the K3 and the K2 can shed some light on that here? Thanks, Gary ______________________________________________________________ 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 Don Wilhelm-4
I will echo Don's comments.
I did adjust the RX audio equalization to my preference not long after getting my K3. I also listen through a set of external speakers most of the time but even on headphones I have operated for two hours or longer and my posterior became fatigued first. Where the 'phones press on my ears become fatigued next--that's a headphone issue and nothing to do with the K3. I find the K3 as pleasing to listen to as any other rig and the external speakers are likely a key factor in that. The QSK and VOX are incredibly smooth. I'd not serisously used VOX in years until I tried it with the K3. Admittedly, one must tweak the settings a bit and work with the noise gate some but after a few minutes, I have not touched the settings since. It just works very nicely. The K3 is a complex tool. And like any fine tool it takes some time to learn it well. Once learned and configured to one's liking, it is a scalpel on QRM. While I was able to use the radio from the start, I knew I would have to unlearn the old rig while simultaneously understanding how to best operate the K3. I did not set a time period but chose to give myself whatever amount of time was needed to learn it. After a few weeks I was comfortable and after a couple of months operating it was becoming intuitive although I still mix up the band and mode buttons for some reason a year+ later. Hmmmm. 73, de Nate N0NB >> -- "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 |
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I prefer to use an automotive analogy. To me, the K3 is like an Indy
car. Right off the hauler it's blindingly fast and extremely capable and has more than enough performance for any sane operator (driver). But... in the hands of a knowledgeable operator (engineer) it can be tweaked to perform significantly better, and it will win more contests (races). If you're a competitive type (e.g., contester or hard core DXer) or just want to have the best performance possible, time spent fooling around with the K3's many settings is time well spent, and will serve you well under demanding conditions. If you're not the driven sort, just turn it on and operate. It will still handily whip most any of its competitors, regardless of price. 73... Randy, W8FN > The K3 is a complex tool. And like any fine tool it takes some time to > learn it well. Once learned and configured to one's liking, it is a > scalpel on QRM. While I was able to use the radio from the start, I > knew I would have to unlearn the old rig while simultaneously > understanding how to best operate the K3. I did not set a time period > but chose to give myself whatever amount of time was needed to learn it. > After a few weeks I was comfortable and after a couple of months > operating it was becoming intuitive although I still mix up the band and > mode buttons for some reason a year+ later. Hmmmm. ______________________________________________________________ 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 know what you mean. I was itching for a new rig and I didn't know it at first. But I knew something was missing. A couple months ago, I decided to upgrade my FT950 with the AC0C NS filter, bought the Yaesu microtuners, and bought a NIR-12 DSP unit. After all these investments I could tell I had a better rig but I was still not really that satisfied. I had an improved FT950 and now spent close to what a FT2000 costs. I started looking at the FTDX-5000 and even played around with one at HRO in Burbank a few weeks later. I thought it was a very nice rig but something was missing. A buddy of mine told me to check out the K3. I started my research and then found a person near where I work in north Los Angeles country that was selling one (off QTH ads). I went to his house and he gave me a complete demo and went through a discussion of how he chose the components in the rig. The modular nature and freedom of choice was super cool to me. Plus he operated it off his iphone and he showed me the SDR software and the P3 and I was convinced. I told him the next day that I would buy it from him. Unfortunately a few days after his excited demo and his explanation of how he really liked the rig, he told me that he didn't want to sell it afterall. Bummed out I kept checking the ads on QTH and I ended up with even a better more loaded used K3 that had everything that I wanted including the 6m preamp and the 2m transverter (the other one did not and it was for the same price). I have been playing with it now over the past two days. Initial impressions are extremely positive. I have really enjoyed my FT950 over the past ten months, but I can clearly tell the difference already. The noise blankers are so effective that it blew me away. My noise on 6m is pretty bad with my 6 element DK7ZB antenna and I could never put a dent in it on the 950 or the NIR-12, but with the K3 I was able to get rid of it so easily it freaked me out. Another thing that I found today was the ability to plot the SWR on all my antennas using the K3 EZ software. That was quite a kick. I modeled all my antennas today. I don't think that the 950 could do that. At least I could not figure out how to do it. I also bought the Cady manual which is very helpful, and have read through the K3 manual. I believe that this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Regards, Keith AG6AZ > Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:27:46 -0600 > From: [hidden email] > To: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Itching for a new rig > > I prefer to use an automotive analogy. To me, the K3 is like an Indy > car. Right off the hauler it's blindingly fast and extremely capable and > has more than enough performance for any sane operator (driver). But... > in the hands of a knowledgeable operator (engineer) it can be tweaked to > perform significantly better, and it will win more contests (races). If > you're a competitive type (e.g., contester or hard core DXer) or just > want to have the best performance possible, time spent fooling around > with the K3's many settings is time well spent, and will serve you well > under demanding conditions. If you're not the driven sort, just turn it > on and operate. It will still handily whip most any of its competitors, > regardless of price. > > 73... > Randy, W8FN > > > The K3 is a complex tool. And like any fine tool it takes some time to > > learn it well. Once learned and configured to one's liking, it is a > > scalpel on QRM. While I was able to use the radio from the start, I > > knew I would have to unlearn the old rig while simultaneously > > understanding how to best operate the K3. I did not set a time period > > but chose to give myself whatever amount of time was needed to learn it. > > After a few weeks I was comfortable and after a couple of months > > operating it was becoming intuitive although I still mix up the band and > > mode buttons for some reason a year+ later. Hmmmm. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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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