K3 Initial Configuration?
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Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has
been asked before, but here goes. What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try some of the digital modes at some point. I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in the future? Again, thank you for your advice. Very 73, Jim K9RII Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hello James!
> What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new > (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try > some of the digital modes at some point. Either the basic 10W unit, or the basic 100W unit will get you on the air. Just add an antenna, power supply and microphone :-) If your budget is tight, you might want to seriously consider the kit option. It is a no-soldering kit. Much like building a computer, you need a screwdriver and not much else. A dummy load is very useful for getting the transmitter power calibration done. You can buy a used dummy load, or even a new one, for much less than the difference in cost between the kit and the assembled unit. If you already have an antenna tuner, then that's all you need. Otherwise, you might consider the K3's internal ATU. > ...Can the other options be easily added in the future? All options can be added at a future date. An advantage of the kit is that you know how it goes together -- and comes apart -- so you have added confidence for adding options at a later date as your preferences, needs and budget allows. Also, note that the K3 manual, and manuals for the various options, are all available for download and review on our website. 73, Lyle KK7P _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by James Young
The Base K3 comes fully equipped to do what you wish at 10
watts power. Opt for the 100-watt version if you need the power. The
included roofing filter will work on all modes for reception; if you want to
transmit AM or FM, you will need the corresponding AM/FM roofing filter.
All other transmit modes can use the stock 2.7 khz filter. All options can
be retrofitted to a K3 in the field by the user. The second
receiver is not needed for regular operation.
Monty K2DLJ
Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has
been asked before, but here goes. What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try some of the digital modes at some point. I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in the future? Again, thank you for your advice. Very 73, Jim K9RII _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: K3 Initial Configuration?
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In reply to this post by James Young
James Young wrote: > Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has > been asked before, but here goes. > > What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new > (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try > some of the digital modes at some point. I'd say a stock K3/100 would be a great start. > I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure > about the need for the second receiver for the K3. If you had a real need for the second receiver, you would know it. It's used in specific situations in contesting - like when you're working JA's split, but wanting to listen on your own transmit frequency as well as theirs, or search'n'pouncing and running at the same time. > Also, will the stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? Yes, I would expect so... unless you want to do AM or FM. > What other options should I consider A hand mic, if you don't have something ready. The USB adapter, if you don't have an old-skool serial port on the computer you'll be using for digital modes. Maybe the ATU, if you don't have something already. Maybe the transverter interface, if you think you might want to get a transverter for the high-bands later, or for the IF output to something like an LP-PAN. The DVR might be worth considering too, but it's not in production yet anyway. > and would you recommend any of the K3 mods that have been produced? Probably not for a beginner, but I haven't really studied them. > Can the other options be easily added in the future? I believe some disassembly is required for some of the options. ~Iain _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by James Young
James,
You can order the basic K3/10 and it will do all modes. All the options can be added later, so you can get your feet wet with the basic K3 while deciding what else you will need for your operating preferences. The stock filter will work just fine as long as you are not into working on a crowded band under extreme conditions such as weak signal DXing or heavy contesting.. 73, Don W3FPR James Young wrote: > Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has > been asked before, but here goes. > > What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new > (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try > some of the digital modes at some point. > > I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure > about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the > stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What > other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 > mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in > the future? > > Again, thank you for your advice. > Very 73, > Jim K9RII > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by James Young
Hi James,
The basic K3 with no options is a fantastic value. You will save a couple hundred dollars by assembling it your self. No electronic assembly, just a lot of screws. The mantra is read the assembly manual, and follow the manual exactly. Elecraft manuals are far better than others I have encountered including Heathkit. Count on spending at least 9 hours on the assembly and setup. Even near total klutzes have succeeded. Again, follow each step exactly to avoid problems. Options are easy to add later but may consume some time with quite a few screws. Unless you are into QRP on SSB you will want the 100 watt unit. SSB QRP is really on my too hard pile. With 100 watts and patience, I can usually break the dx station pile-ups. The Second Receiver in not needed unless you are into dx pileups and really want to tune a second receiver to hear where the off frequency station is transmitting. You can do this using the a/b or REV button on the single receiver although it is a bit more work. I have the second receiver and perhaps would not have ordered it if I had played with LP-PAN and the computer first. I did install the module with the IF port so I could have a interface to the IF for the LP-Pan and a separate RX antenna. Check it out. There is also at least one cheap (20 or $30) DSP radio kit that can support the available free software for panadapter use with a computer and a good sound card. The LP pan has internal filter and HI Z buffer included that might need to be added for best performance of the low end unit. You definitely do not need additional roofing filters beyond the stock filter. Remember that the dsp sets the actual bandwidth with greater than 100 db dynamic range inside the roofing filter. They are easy to add later if you decide you want one or more. If you can squeeze it into the budget and intend to use a variety of antennas you will want the excellent internal antenna tuner. If you have an external tuner already you can use that for now. So that is it. Basic K3-100 with optional tuner. Basic K3-100 performance beats just about everything on the market. As a matter of fact, I do not know anything that outperforms the receiver. And the compression in the transmitter helps the 100 watts sound bigger without distortion when adjusted properly. Make sure you have a usable microphone, Elecraft provides capability to interface with a variety of microphones, both biased and dynamic, with excellent results. If you have something to try, do not buy another one yet. The internal monitor (using Headphones) allows you to adjust the transmit chain in test mode until it sounds right before going on the air. I use an inexpensive headset most of the time. The VOX is so smooth that I am not tempted to use a separate ptt switch. You will want to plug in a stereo speaker set to get the benefit of the AFX effects capability. Again not necessary immediately. You will want a computer preferably PC with a serial output to connect to the K3 for firmware updates. If your computer has USB and no RS-232 output ports you will need the USB to RS-232 adapter. I suggest getting the one they sell. Not all are created equal. There is also an update program available for the Apple OS-X. I was unsuccessful using it on a friend's very old apple with an early version of OS-X. I was told that Apple had said that this computer was obsolete and could not be updated to current OS-X versions. The Serial port performs very well with a variety of computer logging programs and LP-Pan I mentioned before. If you do not have a suitable computer find a friend who will assist you in updating the K3 firmware. It is great now but continues to improve rapidly. Update as soon as you get it assembled far enough to do so and you will avoid older version issues that have already been fixed. I hope this helps. I have had my K3 for 10 months now and end up smiling every time I use it. No other radio in my 50+ years of ham radio has had that effect. There is also no other radio that I recommend to serious new hams if they can bite the bullet for a one time investment. If you order, no charge is made until shipping time. That said, antennas are even more important than the perfect radio. The two together are awesome even in our current no sunspot condition. The perfect radio does very little without decent antenna. Aloha, John KH7T, K3 #125 James Young wrote: > Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has > been asked before, but here goes. > > What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new > (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try > some of the digital modes at some point. > > I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure > about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the > stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What > other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 > mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in > the future? > > Again, thank you for your advice. > Very 73, > Jim K9RII > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with > Windows Live. See Now > <http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: K3 Initial Configuration?
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Sorry Don ... > You can order the basic K3/10 and it will do all modes. Not quite. If you want FM transmit/receive you must add the KFL3B-FM (FM Filter). If you want AM transmit you must add the KFL3B-6K (6 KHz filter). AM receive is possible with significantly restricted fidelity using the stock SSB filter. > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm > Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:43 PM > To: James Young > Cc: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Initial Configuration? > > > James, > > You can order the basic K3/10 and it will do all modes. All > the options > can be added later, so you can get your feet wet with the > basic K3 while > deciding what else you will need for your operating preferences. The > stock filter will work just fine as long as you are not into > working on > a crowded band under extreme conditions such as weak signal DXing or > heavy contesting.. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > James Young wrote: > > Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has > > been asked before, but here goes. > > > > What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new > > (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but > I may try > > some of the digital modes at some point. > > > > I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not > > sure about the need for the second receiver for the K3. > Also, will the > > stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for > awhile? What > > other options should I consider and would you recommend any > of the K3 > > mods that have been produced? Can the other options be > easily added in > > the future? > > > > Again, thank you for your advice. > > Very 73, > > Jim K9RII > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by James Young
Just to add my voice to the choir, go for the K3/100 kit with the stock filter. If the budget allows, the KAT3 antenna tuner is the best I've used. If for some reason you are not happy with it after a couple of months (impossible!), you can sell it for what you have in or even a little more since you added some "sweat equity" building it.
Rob NV5E From: [hidden email] To: [hidden email] Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:09:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Initial Configuration? Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has been asked before, but here goes. What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try some of the digital modes at some point. I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in the future? Again, thank you for your advice. Very 73, Jim K9RII Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. Learn Now _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by James Young
Just to add my voice to the choir, go for the K3/100 kit with the stock filter. If the budget allows, the KAT3 antenna tuner is the best I've used. If for some reason you are not happy with it after a couple of months (impossible!), you can sell it for what you have in or even a little more since you added some "sweat equity" building it.
Rob NV5E From: [hidden email] To: [hidden email] Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:09:35 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Initial Configuration? Thanks, in advance for your help! I apologize if this question has been asked before, but here goes. What would be the least expensive initial configuration for a new (factory assembled) K3? My operating preference is SSB, but I may try some of the digital modes at some point. I can do without the general coverate receive feature, but I'm not sure about the need for the second receiver for the K3. Also, will the stock filters (including the roofing filter) be good for awhile? What other options should I consider and would you recommend any of the K3 mods that have been produced? Can the other options be easily added in the future? Again, thank you for your advice. Very 73, Jim K9RII Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. See Now Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from Jamie. Learn Now _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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