K2 vs K3 ?
Locked
 
|
Hi
I looked through the Archives and FAQ's and see the K3 is a All in one rig with top of line features. The K2 was the former one. With a little less features and not all in one processor. It uses pic 18C452 instead of 18F452 etc so you can't flash upgrade it as easily. (I program Linux systems and PIC systems.) But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of $1400 K3 semi-kit and I am an electrical engineer. Is there any good reason to go to the K3? VE3GYV John P.S. K1's sell for more assembled on Ebay than Kits........ So the issues of losing money on the rig appear to not be true. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
Yes, It's called features and you get what you pay for. I Have both and they
are great radios. Let your budget help you decide. 73, Bill K9YEQ K2 #35; KX1 #35; K3 #1744; mini mods -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Jeffers Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 5:02 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 ? Hi I looked through the Archives and FAQ's and see the K3 is a All in one rig with top of line features. The K2 was the former one. With a little less features and not all in one processor. It uses pic 18C452 instead of 18F452 etc so you can't flash upgrade it as easily. (I program Linux systems and PIC systems.) But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of $1400 K3 semi-kit and I am an electrical engineer. Is there any good reason to go to the K3? VE3GYV John P.S. K1's sell for more assembled on Ebay than Kits........ So the issues of losing money on the rig appear to not be true. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by John Jeffers
You should get MANY interesting responses to your query! I for one have found the K3 receiver to be far and above better than the K2, although my time with the K2 was limited to one weekend. As well, if SSB is a mode you enjoy, in the K2 that is an add-on and a bit dicier than the smooth, already there features of the K3! That said, if I had the time and money, I would build a K2 as a little brother to my K3.
I will be watching this thread with interest... cleve |
|
|
In reply to this post by Bill Johnson-9
Here's my perspective from not owning any Elecraft radio until ~ a month ago. I have read about the K2 for many years and always wanted one. I heard them on the air and heard others comments about owning one. I have never owned a new rig, only bought repair-ables and repaired them to use. So along comes the opportunity to buy a Elecraft radio at the Orlando hamfest. The XYL asks me which one do I want to order. I was thinking, get a decent radio, yet keep the costs reasonable. My decision was to order the K2 with some nice features. I couldn't justify ordering the K3, just because it costs so much more than the K2. That's my only reason, economics. I'm retired and the XYL still works so I hate to spend the funds she earns.
My next Elecraft radio will be a loaded K1 for portable operating. The K2 is too nice to bring outside in my opinion. Mike WE0H K2 S/N 6698 John said: Hi I looked through the Archives and FAQ's and see the K3 is a All in one rig with top of line features. The K2 was the former one. With a little less features and not all in one processor. It uses pic 18C452 instead of 18F452 etc so you can't flash upgrade it as easily. (I program Linux systems and PIC systems.) But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of $1400 K3 semi-kit and I am an electrical engineer. Is there any good reason to go to the K3? VE3GYV John P.S. K1's sell for more assembled on Ebay than Kits........ So the issues of losing money on the rig appear to not be true. ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
Well, this is interesting! I'm agonizing over this very issue. I have
K2 #337, built in late 1999, that has served me extremely well. I have always watched this reflector, so I was one of the first non-field test people to notice Wayne's announcement of the K3. Then I read every word about it, including the manuals, and saved my pennies (and quarters and dollars!) until I was able to order one last year, taking delivery of K3/10 #2006 in late October. I have been delighted with it, both performance wise and operationally. I've downloaded all the beta firmware releases and never had any issue with them that wasn't taken care of within about 24 hours of the beta release. I operated SSCW and then ARRL DX CW with the K3 and that's when I began to have some doubts about whether the K3 is for me or not. Running QRP during these contests with simple wire antennas, I found that I couldn't usually be heard through all the QRM by anybody who wasn't S8-9 at my QTH. That means that the outstanding features of the K3 receiver weren't doing me much good in those circumstances. In a more normal situation of working a weak station with little or no QRM, I believe the K2 does just as well as the K3 for me. So I've about decided that the K3 is just not a cost effective solution for my style of operating. I really love it, but I just can't justify keeping both it and my venerable K2! I'm seriously bonded with the K2, so I'm on the verge of offering my K3 for sale. But it hurts to even consider it :-( 73, Randy, KS4L ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
My opinion, keep the K3 & the K2. You may later on regret selling
anything and then the money might not be there to build another one. Just put it on the shelf for now. Other options are the AN762 amp that FAR circuits sells a board for and eBay has 2SC2879 transistor's for it and they are dirt cheep. That'd be well over 100w output just idling. Communications Concepts sells the complete kit for it with the more expensive MRF transistors if you don't have a stash of components for it already. Mike WE0H Randy M wrote: > Well, this is interesting! I'm agonizing over this very issue. I have > K2 #337, built in late 1999, that has served me extremely well. I have > always watched this reflector, so I was one of the first non-field test > people to notice Wayne's announcement of the K3. Then I read every word > about it, including the manuals, and saved my pennies (and quarters and > dollars!) until I was able to order one last year, taking delivery of > K3/10 #2006 in late October. I have been delighted with it, both > performance wise and operationally. I've downloaded all the beta > firmware releases and never had any issue with them that wasn't taken > care of within about 24 hours of the beta release. > > I operated SSCW and then ARRL DX CW with the K3 and that's when I began > to have some doubts about whether the K3 is for me or not. Running QRP > during these contests with simple wire antennas, I found that I couldn't > usually be heard through all the QRM by anybody who wasn't S8-9 at my > QTH. That means that the outstanding features of the K3 receiver > weren't doing me much good in those circumstances. In a more normal > situation of working a weak station with little or no QRM, I believe the > K2 does just as well as the K3 for me. So I've about decided that the > K3 is just not a cost effective solution for my style of operating. I > really love it, but I just can't justify keeping both it and my > venerable K2! I'm seriously bonded with the K2, so I'm on the verge > of offering my K3 for sale. But it hurts to even consider it :-( > > 73, > Randy, KS4L 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 |
|
|
Actually Randy, all you have discovered... is that there are a lot of folks out there, that could benefit from the addition of a K3 in their shack, so they would be able to hear as well as you do. Simple, and factual. Do you need to send your K2 or K3 away because they can't hear? Likely not. Do they need to improve thier stations? Yep. Now, if you want to loan your K3 off, for the time being, I'd be happy to borrow it for a bit... *G* But that way, you could have it back when you decide that you want it back... *G* --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Life without walls. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_allup_1a_explore_032009 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by John Jeffers
I have a K2, and went for the K3 because of its much improved support for digimodes (which were really an afterthought on the K2) and FM (which isn't catered for at all.) The fact that the currency exchange rates were favourable at the time I ordered it, and the credit crunch hadn't happened, had a bearing on it too. I think the K2 and K3 are like apples and oranges. The K2 is a more basic radio with an emphasis on portability (small size, light weight, low current consumption, facility for internal battery.) Plus it has the unique benefit that you get to build it. The K3 is clearly designed to be more of a high end desktop radio for those who want the ultimate in receiver performance. And even if you'd prefer to build it, you only get to assemble it. If you aren't sure you need the K3 then in my opinion you probably don't. I don't chase DX, I only contest casually, and I don't really need a high end radio. If Elecraft had brought out a K2 Mk II with 1Hz VFO resolution and dedicated input/outputs for digi modes it would probably have done the job for me, even without FM. So your decision will surely depend on whether there are things you want to do that the K2 can't do.
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222 KX3 #110
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html |
|
|
In reply to this post by John Jeffers
-----Original Message-----
... the K3 is a All in one rig with top of line features. The K2 was the former one. But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of $1400 K3 semi-kit and I am an electrical engineer. Is there any good reason to go to the K3? VE3GYV John ------------------------ Absolutely, yes, there are many good reasons to go K3 over K2. I had a K2 and really liked it but wished it did some things better. The K2 s-meter left me rather unimpressed. CW sidetone quality was good but not great. I used an external AF filter to clean it up. The K2 display didn't give all that much information. The fan on the K2/100 is very noisy. I used an external fan to keep the rig cool so the internal fan would not turn on. The K2's SSB performance was good but no better. I run CW only so I didn't care, however. I upgraded to a K3/10 and absolutely love it. CW sidetone is very sweet. AGC performance is better (adjustable). The S-meter is better. Display is better. I have 2 key inputs (one for paddles one for manual key) instead of just one. The rig feels like a real rig rather than a very nice QRP rig. When you do your price comparison, make sure you're comparing equivalent rigs. The K3 comes with built-in DSP and does not need AF filtering. With the K2 you have to add the DSP or AF as an option. K3 covers 160 meters - optional in the K2. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by John Jeffers
Another thing you need to watch is that many features that are standard on the K3 are options on the K2. You can double the price of the basic kit really quick with the options, so be sure to think about the options that you want or need before you decide. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke K5EWJ > --- On Thu, 3/12/09, Darwin, Keith > <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > From: Darwin, Keith <[hidden email]> > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 ? > > To: [hidden email] > > Date: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 11:03 AM > > -----Original Message----- > > > > ... the K3 is a All in one rig with top of line > features. > > > > The K2 was the former one. > > > > But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of > $1400 > > K3 semi-kit > > and I am an electrical engineer. > > > > Is there any good reason to go to the K3? > > > > VE3GYV John > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
yes guys,
the K3 is a great rigg, with all the features we knew from oher great riggs. But the K2 is classic and puristic. It is the same when you compare motorbikes: the K3 is like a Honda Goldwing and the K2 is like a older Harley. I for myself prefer riding a old Harley. I built 4 K2's and sold them all to get a K3. Now i have a K3 but i missed adjusting and playing with the K2. So i bought a used K2 and i'am happy now that a K2 is back in my home. Michael, DC0ZO ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
As much as I love my K3, I'll admit that the K2 sounded better. The
difference wasn't big and I may be off-base, having not done a direct A/B comparison, but I think the K2, with its simpler RX architecture, has a smoother sound than the K3. Not enough for me to stay with the K2, but enough that it can be noticed. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith
John and other Elecrafters:
I am an extremely happy K2 owner. I have operated a K3 and I intend to get one someday, but I am not in a particular hurry. In the interest of full disclosure, I am strictly a CW guy, and any voice quality advantages that K3 might have over the K2 are lost on me. As other posters have mentioned, the K3 has many features that all work somewhat better than the K2. To the question of whether or not there is any good reason to go to the K3, there is one good basic engineering reason. It has better dynamic range. On the weak signal end, the K3 local oscillator has lower phase noise than the K2. That means that in low ambient noise situations such as 10 or 6 meters, the K3 will hear weak signals that the K2 does not hear. On the strong signal end, the K3 has a saturation level as good as (or marginally better than) the rigs that sell for $10K+. That is significant in low band DXing and contesting; when you're trying to hear that weak signal on 80 meters for that rare multiplier and "W5 Texas Kilowatt" fires up the "big rig" a few 10s of KHz down the band from where you're listening, the K3 is much less likely than the K2 to be "desensed" (meaning that your ability to copy the rare multiplier suddenly vanishes whether or not you can actually hear the interfering signal) by his (somehow, very few of these honking big signals are transmitted by women) booming signal. Anyway, what you're paying the big bucks for is dynamic range. If you're interested in copying extremely weak signals (in the presence of large but undesired signals) in either the high bands or low bands, then the added dynamic range of the K3 is well worth the $3400 (or so) for a fully tricked out K3. If you mostly operate in a less demanding setting the added dynamic range might not be worth the extra cost. Some posters have noted that the K3 is designed to be the ultimate contest rig. Compare it to car racing. Race cars cost more than cars for highway driving. Unless you actually plan to race it, do you need to buy one? 73, Steve Kercel AA4AK > The K2 was the former one. > > But I can make a qrp rig for $770 K2 kit instead of $1400 K3 semi-kit > and I am an electrical engineer. > > Is there any good reason to go to the K3? > > VE3GYV John > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by John Jeffers
I think my K2 is more like a Spanish trials bike. Well balanced, nimble, and plenty of torque!
Kevin. KD5ONS Bultaco, Montessa, or Ossa. -----Original Message----- >From: Michael van Hauten <[hidden email]> >Sent: Mar 12, 2009 3:09 PM >To: [hidden email], <>@unspecified-domain> >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 ? > >yes guys, >the K3 is a great rigg, with all the features we knew from oher great riggs. >But the K2 is classic and puristic. It is the same when you compare >motorbikes: the K3 is like a Honda Goldwing and the K2 is like a older >Harley. I for myself prefer riding a old Harley. I built 4 K2's and sold >them all to get a K3. Now i have a K3 but i missed adjusting and playing >with the K2. So i bought a used K2 and i'am happy now that a K2 is back in >my home. >Michael, DC0ZO 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith
Keith,
I can make my K3 sound just the way I want buy adjusting the equalizer. I use the same outboard speaker for both K's. Bill -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Darwin, Keith Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 3:03 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 ? As much as I love my K3, I'll admit that the K2 sounded better. The difference wasn't big and I may be off-base, having not done a direct A/B comparison, but I think the K2, with its simpler RX architecture, has a smoother sound than the K3. Not enough for me to stay with the K2, but enough that it can be noticed. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
|
|
In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith
I'm wondering if we took a ham into a room, blindfolded, sat him or her down
if front of a K2 and K3, didn't let them touch either one, if he or she could tell which is the K2 and K3? I would have to be someone that doesn't have any experience with either one. I wonder which one would win based on sound alone. Also, they would have to use headphones rather than the internal speakers. Gary, N7HTS On Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:03:21 -0700 "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> wrote: > As much as I love my K3, I'll admit that the K2 sounded better. The > difference wasn't big and I may be off-base, having not done a direct > A/B comparison, but I think the K2, with its simpler RX architecture, > has a smoother sound than the K3. Not enough for me to stay with the > K2, but enough that it can be noticed. > > - Keith N1AS - > - K3 711 - > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 |
|
|
Gary and All,
Well, interesting conjecture, but nowhere close to a valid test of either rig. Dave W7AQK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary D Krause" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 8:27 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs K3 ? > I'm wondering if we took a ham into a room, blindfolded, > sat him or her down > if front of a K2 and K3, didn't let them touch either one, > if he or she could > tell which is the K2 and K3? I would have to be someone > that doesn't have any > experience with either one. I wonder which one would win > based on sound > alone. Also, they would have to use headphones rather > than the internal > speakers. > > Gary, N7HTS > > > On Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:03:21 -0700 > "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]> wrote: >> As much as I love my K3, I'll admit that the K2 sounded >> better. The >> difference wasn't big and I may be off-base, having not >> done a direct >> A/B comparison, but I think the K2, with its simpler RX >> architecture, >> has a smoother sound than the K3. Not enough for me to >> stay with the >> K2, but enough that it can be noticed. >> >> - Keith N1AS - >> - K3 711 - >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
«
Return to Elecraft
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |