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K3 & M/M Contest stations

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Stephen Bloom

K3 & M/M Contest stations

This email reminded me of something ..I think I may have brought it up on the Yahoo group but not on this reflector.

I have a K3 line at my home station ...and of course am a real fan. I am often on the team at the KL7RA M/M station here. We have an ongoing (good natured) dispute about whether the K3 is a feasible M/M rig (not because of quality, but because people are so personal in the way they like to have it configured). I know I've had no problems at all using K3s in M/S ops. I'm wondering if there are some serious mostly/all K3 M/Ms out there ..and if so ...if I could weasel an invite sometime when I'm not committed up here. I can do pretty high rate on cw, don't eat much and am paper trained :)

73
Steve KL7SB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Gerry Hull
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 4:24 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Reflector Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3

?My history with amateur radio is that I typically "rent" gear -- what I mean is I purchase gear new, use it for one or two years, and sell it.
That way, I get to experience the latest gear without busting the bank completely.
That has changed since I got my K3.

I'm a contester, CW mostly. Typically in multi-op stations with big
antennas, amps etc. So bone-crushing to eme-level signals are the norm. I agree with many here that Sherwood has captured a lot of good data about receiver performance. If you want to be a competitive contester or DXer, your receiver performance is the #1 issue. Taking a listen doing a couple of comparisons does not tell a story. Make sure you understand the tests that are being described.

I had the FT1KMP and MK5 for a while. These were the standard for a long
time. However, the out-of-band, key-click and phase noise issues are pretty bad. As was talked about here, the Icom ProII/ III are really good receivers, but not with out-of-passband spurious products. Like what was mentioned by another poster, you never feel you are by yourself with a Pro III in a contest -- always all kinds of pops an squeaks from out of band signals.

I think the ergonomic differences between Icom an Elecraft are really not that great. They both use single-button overloaded functionality (tap, single push, push and hold) to provide various functions. Rather than wrap things into the display (limited space), careful labeling on the panel make if (fairly clear) what is going on. The comments I get from many older friends is they don't like this mode of operation. One friend went out and bought the 5000 because he did not like the K3 human interface. Well, he is selling the 5000. The K3 receiver, in his opinion, destroys the Yaesu. ?

The reason I'm not going to just "rent" my K3 -- it will be my radio for the foreseeable future -- goes far beyond the technical performance of the
radio. It's the intangibles. The Elecraft team are operators, They get
it. They understand who we are and what we want. They react to our input.
Have you ever seen a the KIY guys ever react to what the market wants, in a timely manner? I don't think so.

I am setting up Remote with some friends -- we had some really strange issues. Brandon from Elecraft got on Skype with me from his home, on a Saturday, to help me diagnose an issue. What company does that?

I know I'm preaching to the choir on this reflector. However, when talking about radios, you cannot leave these details out. It's what sets Elecraft in a completely different league from the competition.

73, Gerry

Gerry Hull, W1VE | Nelson, NH USA | +1-617-CW-SPARK
AKA: VE1RM | VY2CDX | VO1CDX | 6Y6C | 8P9RM <http://www.yccc.org> <http://www.yccc.org/> <http://www.facebook.com/gerryhull> <https://plus.google.com/+GerryHull/posts>
<http://www.twitter.com/w1ve>

On Sun, Apr 13, 2014 at 3:11 PM, Dr. William J. Schmidt, II < [hidden email]> wrote:

> There are additional aspects of these comparisons that are not often
> discussed.
>
> The ergonomics of the two radios are vastly different... and rightly
> so given their history. The Icom has had many more generations of
> radios to improve the look, feel and operation of the radio. After
> owning and operating both, I find that both have adequate controls
> places appropriately... both radios could improve the menus (cryptic at times).
>
> The other aspect, which is sort of an elephant in the room is the
> repair histories and the way repairs are handled by the respective companies.
> I've never had a repair issue with my PRO III, although I have sent
> my 7800's back for service twice. It this case the radios sat in a
> queue at ICOM repair depot waiting for their turn to get fixed.
> Several weeks later the radios arrived without any warning, to sit out
> on my doorstep awaiting my arrival home. In contrast, I've had three
> issues with my K3... all three were diagnosed over the phone with tech
> support and parts shipped to me for install and immediate correction
> of the issues. While the K3 record on failures seems a bit higher
> than the Icom, the relative ease of troubleshooting and repair for a
> person like me (will full lab/ repair
> capabilities) is a wonder.
>
> Neither of these things should be missed when contemplating a new radio.
>
>
> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ/ PJ4HZ/ VP5HZ
>
> Owner - Operator
> Big Signal Ranch
> Staunton, Illinois
>
> email: [hidden email]
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> [hidden email]
>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Steve,

I don't understand why the configurability of the K3 should pose much of
a problem.
Compared to other radios that have very configuration capability, one
can run the K3 with its default settings just as easily. Just because
the configuration capability in the K3 exists does not mean it has to be
used.

Also, if there are many operators who can capably reconfigure the K3 to
their desires then they can figure out how to set their preferences
without causing harm and grief to other operators as long as they set
things back to normal after their operating session.

So I think the argument about the K3's configuration capability is not
as strong as some like to make of it, the defaults work fine for most
operators and there are very few times an operator needs to access the
menu system.

In other words, I would argue, if you know what you are doing, go ahead
and change things - just set it back when you are done. OTOH, if you
don't know what you are doing in the menus, leave it alone and just operate.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/14/2014 12:14 PM, Stephen Bloom wrote:
> This email reminded me of something ..I think I may have brought it up on the Yahoo group but not on this reflector.
>
> I have a K3 line at my home station ...and of course am a real fan. I am often on the team at the KL7RA M/M station here. We have an ongoing (good natured) dispute about whether the K3 is a feasible M/M rig (not because of quality, but because people are so personal in the way they like to have it configured). I know I've had no problems at all using K3s in M/S ops. I'm wondering if there are some serious mostly/all K3 M/Ms out there ..and if so ...if I could weasel an invite sometime when I'm not committed up here. I can do pretty high rate on cw, don't eat much and am paper trained :)
>

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KV5J

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Don,

No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Keith,

That may be true, but if it is, each operator will know how to set it up
to his preferences.
I say again, if he does not know how to set it up, he should leave it
alone. In the midst of a contest is not the time to be fiddling with
things to find out what each operator wants. A bit of education and
practice with settings beforehand *can* make such operator changeovers
smooth.

Perhaps your group can agree on some compromise settings that will work
suitably for all.
After all, DXPeditions using multiple operators seem to do something
like that with success. Setting up for a contest should be no more
difficult.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/14/2014 1:54 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:

> Don,
>
> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the
> stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
> without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
> think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several
> settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>

Milt -- N5IA

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by KV5J

Keith,

Please elaborate for us that are uninformed. Thank you.

de Milt, N5IA

-----Original Message-----
From: XE3/K5ENS
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:54 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations

Don,

No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the
stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several
settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4569 / Virus Database: 3882/7343 - Release Date: 04/14/14

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Raymond Sills

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Hi Keith:

I'd have to agree with Don.. and don't forget, some people just like
to participate in a contest.. for the fun of it, and perhaps working a
"new one" ... as opposed to trying to win the contest. Those people
would probably do -just fine- with a stock K3 setup. I'm sure I would.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

On Apr 14, 2014, at 2:24 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Keith,
>
> That may be true, but if it is, each operator will know how to set
> it up to his preferences.
> I say again, if he does not know how to set it up, he should leave
> it alone. In the midst of a contest is not the time to be fiddling
> with things to find out what each operator wants. A bit of
> education and practice with settings beforehand *can* make such
> operator changeovers smooth.
>
> Perhaps your group can agree on some compromise settings that will
> work suitably for all.
> After all, DXPeditions using multiple operators seem to do something
> like that with success. Setting up for a contest should be no more
> difficult.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 4/14/2014 1:54 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
>> Don,
>>
>> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3
>> with the
>> stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be
>> scored
>> without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio.
>> And I
>> think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There
>> are several
>> settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest
>> radio.
>>
>> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Fabio

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Hi Guys

We at D4C, get seriously the Contest, trying to win, last CQWW SSB and CW we had 11 K3, with several different configuration, 6 were Main Radio and 5 ( 10 to 80 ) were support Radio, with dual RX capability
multidirectional RX antennas and inBand Antenna too, all fitted into the several BNC input as RX, or SUB RX input.

The comments of the over 25 ops, ( 14 of them will attend to the next WRTC ) was, amazing, no interference, antennas are located not far form 200 m from the shack, no noise interference, integration of good
filter, both in TX and RX with the great capabilities of the K3’s and flexible multidirectional antennas, has created a great efficient MM station.

The configuration of all the K3 were identical, so operators can move between bands, without worry about, equalizer, filters, or mic control, no one had touched these configuration during the contest, because
during the contest ur are busy to run …

So as mentioned, DXped and or MM setup, are easy to do with K3, obviously u still need to take care of the environment, including antennas, filters and all other stuff that can help to have the right success.

73 de Fabio I4UFH / D4C SSB Team Leader

Il giorno 14/apr/2014, alle ore 20:30, Ray Sills <[hidden email]> ha scritto:

> Hi Keith:
>
> I'd have to agree with Don.. and don't forget, some people just like to participate in a contest.. for the fun of it, and perhaps working a "new one" ... as opposed to trying to win the contest. Those people would probably do -just fine- with a stock K3 setup. I'm sure I would.
>
> 73 de Ray
> K2ULR
> KX3 #211
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2014, at 2:24 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Keith,
>>
>> That may be true, but if it is, each operator will know how to set it up to his preferences.
>> I say again, if he does not know how to set it up, he should leave it alone. In the midst of a contest is not the time to be fiddling with things to find out what each operator wants. A bit of education and practice with settings beforehand *can* make such operator changeovers smooth.
>>
>> Perhaps your group can agree on some compromise settings that will work suitably for all.
>> After all, DXPeditions using multiple operators seem to do something like that with success. Setting up for a contest should be no more difficult.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 4/14/2014 1:54 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
>>> Don,
>>>
>>> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the
>>> stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
>>> without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
>>> think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several
>>> settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.
>>>
>>> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

wayne burdick

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Administrator

In reply to this post by Milt -- N5IA

Keith may be referring to crystal filters. A "stock" (basic) K3 comes with one 2.7- or 2.8-kHz crystal filter. The operator may need additional filters to optimize performance.

Other than that, there is no imperative set of adjustments one has to make to fuse the K3 for "serious" contesting. An SSB operator might want to experiment with CMP (compression) and EQ settings (RX EQ/TX EQ). A CW op might want to use somewhat different AGC settings, according to taste. But there's nothing unusual about the K3 that would make it any harder to set up than other full-featured transceivers that provide a range of setup options.

Since the K3's receiver has a such high dynamic range, it is generally forgiving of less-than-optimum control adjustments.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Apr 14, 2014, at 11:28 AM, "Milt -- N5IA" <[hidden email]> wrote:

KV5J

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by Raymond Sills

Don,

I never said anything about whether or not changes should be made. I just stated that without making some changes to a stock K3 the station would be at a disadvantage to stations that have configured the K3 to take advantage of the settings under contest conditions. In most M/M stations using K3's the operators know how to use and setup the K3. Doing this on the fly is not much of a problem but I know of some M/M that lock the K3 so most settings can't be changed by the operators. Some of the contesters without knowing the settings come away not liking the K3 for contest use. That depends on the operators operating the M/M. My suggestion is press those buttons and turn those knobs. Get to know what does what and set your K3 up that is the best for your operating style. But remember contests require a different setup than just chatting. And most of the time several changes need to be made during the contest.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

Stephen Bloom

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by Fabio

Ooooh D4C ...nice ...one of the best contest teams in the world! ...now
THERE is a place I'd love to operate from sometime.

73
Steve KL7SB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of I4UFH
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:41 AM
To: Ray Sills
Cc: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations

Hi Guys

We at D4C, get seriously the Contest, trying to win, last CQWW SSB and CW we
had 11 K3, with several different configuration, 6 were Main Radio and 5 (
10 to 80 ) were support Radio, with dual RX capability multidirectional RX
antennas and inBand Antenna too, all fitted into the several BNC input as
RX, or SUB RX input.

The comments of the over 25 ops, ( 14 of them will attend to the next WRTC
) was, amazing, no interference, antennas are located not far form 200 m
from the shack, no noise interference, integration of good filter, both in
TX and RX with the great capabilities of the K3's and flexible
multidirectional antennas, has created a great efficient MM station.

The configuration of all the K3 were identical, so operators can move
between bands, without worry about, equalizer, filters, or mic control, no
one had touched these configuration during the contest, because during the
contest ur are busy to run .

So as mentioned, DXped and or MM setup, are easy to do with K3, obviously u
still need to take care of the environment, including antennas, filters and
all other stuff that can help to have the right success.

73 de Fabio I4UFH / D4C SSB Team Leader

Il giorno 14/apr/2014, alle ore 20:30, Ray Sills <[hidden email]> ha
scritto:

> Hi Keith:
>
> I'd have to agree with Don.. and don't forget, some people just like to
participate in a contest.. for the fun of it, and perhaps working a "new
one" ... as opposed to trying to win the contest. Those people would
probably do -just fine- with a stock K3 setup. I'm sure I would.

>
> 73 de Ray
> K2ULR
> KX3 #211
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2014, at 2:24 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Keith,
>>
>> That may be true, but if it is, each operator will know how to set it up

to his preferences.
>> I say again, if he does not know how to set it up, he should leave it
alone. In the midst of a contest is not the time to be fiddling with things
to find out what each operator wants. A bit of education and practice with
settings beforehand *can* make such operator changeovers smooth.
>>
>> Perhaps your group can agree on some compromise settings that will work
suitably for all.
>> After all, DXPeditions using multiple operators seem to do something like
that with success. Setting up for a contest should be no more difficult.

>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 4/14/2014 1:54 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
>>> Don,
>>>
>>> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3
>>> with the stock settings and score anywhere near the points that
>>> could be scored without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a
>>> contest radio. And I think that's where a lot of the cons about the
>>> K3 happen. There are several settings in the K3 that must be changed to

make the radio a contest radio.

>>>
>>> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

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Fred Smith-2

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by Milt -- N5IA

I use my K3 to contest but could care less about the score I just look for a
new band country and every once in a great while a new one. Buy I agree with
you a serious DX'er would not want a contest radio either most are "Deaf"
and only work the real 599 stations anyway.

I did use 2 K3's in an SO2R setup using MicroHAM interface for a while and
did OK. But to be honest I'm a "Casual DX'er" and only care to work phone
both QRP and QRO. Just have become found of the Elecraft gear, to be honest
to get the most from most any high end radio you need to do a setup on it.
The K3 can be customized any way you want it that is what makes it a great
radio. If you need an out of the box no adjustments necessary you bought the
wrong radio.

73 & Good DX,
Fred N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Milt -- N5IA
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 1:29 PM
To: XE3/K5ENS; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations

Keith,

Please elaborate for us that are uninformed. Thank you.

de Milt, N5IA

-----Original Message-----
From: XE3/K5ENS
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:54 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations

Don,

No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the
stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several
settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4569 / Virus Database: 3882/7343 - Release Date: 04/14/14

______________________________________________________________
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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
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KV5J

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Wayne,

Nice statement if you're selling radios but if you're trying to get as many points as you can you need to make some setting adjustments.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

w0mu

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by Milt -- N5IA

All I can say to this what?

I apparently am uninformed as well.

W0MU

On 4/14/2014 12:28 PM, Milt -- N5IA wrote:

> Keith,
>
> Please elaborate for us that are uninformed. Thank you.
>
> de Milt, N5IA
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: XE3/K5ENS
> Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:54 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations
>
> Don,
>
> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with
> the
> stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
> without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
> think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are
> several
> settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest
> radio.
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
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w0mu

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

My non stock K3 has a ton of filters. My 2nd K3 has the stock 2.7 and
added 400hz filter and I will be just as competitive with it as the full
blown K3.

The best tool an operator has is between his ears.

W0MU

On 4/14/2014 12:40 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

> Keith may be referring to crystal filters. A "stock" (basic) K3 comes with one 2.7- or 2.8-kHz crystal filter. The operator may need additional filters to optimize performance.
>
> Other than that, there is no imperative set of adjustments one has to make to fuse the K3 for "serious" contesting. An SSB operator might want to experiment with CMP (compression) and EQ settings (RX EQ/TX EQ). A CW op might want to use somewhat different AGC settings, according to taste. But there's nothing unusual about the K3 that would make it any harder to set up than other full-featured transceivers that provide a range of setup options.
>
> Since the K3's receiver has a such high dynamic range, it is generally forgiving of less-than-optimum control adjustments.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2014, at 11:28 AM, "Milt -- N5IA" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Keith,
>>
>> Please elaborate for us that are uninformed. Thank you.
>>
>> de Milt, N5IA
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: XE3/K5ENS
>> Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 10:54 AM
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations
>>
>> Don,
>>
>> No way could someone that was a real serious contester use the K3 with the
>> stock settings and score anywhere near the points that could be scored
>> without changing the settings. A stock K3 is NOT a contest radio. And I
>> think that's where a lot of the cons about the K3 happen. There are several
>> settings in the K3 that must be changed to make the radio a contest radio.
>>
>> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
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w0mu

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by KV5J

Like...............

On 4/14/2014 1:34 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:

> Wayne,
>
> Nice statement if you're selling radios but if you're trying to get as many
> points as you can you need to make some setting adjustments.
>
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-M-M-Contest-stations-tp7587186p7587209.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Jim Brown-10

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

In reply to this post by KV5J

On 4/14/2014 11:58 AM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
> I never said anything about whether or not changes should be made. I just
> stated that without making some changes to a stock K3 the station would be
> at a disadvantage to stations that have configured the K3 to take advantage
> of the settings under contest conditions. In most M/M stations using K3's
> the operators know how to use and setup the K3.

Where do you do your contesting, Keith? And what do you mean by
"stock?" Do you mean without additional roofing filters, as someone
suggested? With only one RX? With all the EQ set flat? With audio input
only from the microphone?

I mostly operate M/M at CQP and FD, but I also host M/2 at my own
station, using K3s. It's been my experience that if the person who sets
up the radio(s) understands the radio and the needs of a contesting
environment, the only changes likely to be required would be for things
like mic gain, compression, and VOX (if that's what you use). And the
only one of those that isn't on the front panel is VOX.

I count five K3s in the shack photo for the W7RN superstation. google to
see a station description. KH6LC's webpage says that operators bring
their own radios, which mostly seem to be K3s. When I last operated at
N6RO about six years ago, it was N6BV's Orion and five MPs, some of
which were brought by the operators. I suspect some or all of the MPs
are now K3s, and at least one of those is remoted. I operate FD and CQP
(California QSO Party) with serious contesters, and our setups are all K3s.

I noted a comment that the rigs at D4C are all K3s, and all are set up
the same. IMO, that's the best way to do it. In my experience, that's
one of very best contesting setups anywhere -- from my QTH near San
Francisco, I can nearly always work them with very little effort on
every band (including 160M), and have made multiple QSOs QRP (not on
160). :)

73, Jim K9YC

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KV5J

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

AND.... my money is that none of these radios are stock out of the box settings! Settings are settings and some have been changed. That's all I said.

Keith, XE3/K5ENS

w0mu

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Not quite what you said.....

Of course everyone should be tweaking their radios. When you get in a
car that you have not driven you adjust the mirror, seat, etc.

Your comments seemed a bit derogatory toward the K3. Can you pull an
Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, Flex out of the box and be contest ready?

W0MU

On 4/14/2014 2:24 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:

> AND.... my money is that none of these radios are stock out of the box
> settings! Settings are settings and some have been changed. That's all I
> said.
>
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
>
>
>
>

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Administrator

In reply to this post by KV5J

Folks - please tone down the discussion. Keith was just voicing an opinion, not
making an attack. -All- technical opinions are welcome here. And there is no
need to defend the K3's honor. It does pretty well on its own ;-)

Now back to our hopefully more substantive, and polite, topics..

Your always enthusiastic list manager,
Eric
elecraft.com
<Yes, I -do- frequently make Tpyos -- I'm just typing (er, thinking) too fast!>
===

On 4/14/2014 1:24 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
> AND.... my money is that none of these radios are stock out of the box
> settings! Settings are settings and some have been changed. That's all I
> said.
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
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Tim Herrick

Re: K3 & M/M Contest stations

Personally I am enjoying this discussion and am looking forward to the contest station settings. Anything to help improve the
performance of my K3 is welcome. I am not the brightest bulb in the pack so always am grateful for any help.

73,
Tim Herrick, KQ8M
Charter Member North Coast Contesters
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-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 4:54 PM
To: XE3/K5ENS; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 & M/M Contest stations

Folks - please tone down the discussion. Keith was just voicing an opinion, not making an attack. -All- technical opinions are
welcome here. And there is no need to defend the K3's honor. It does pretty well on its own ;-)

Now back to our hopefully more substantive, and polite, topics..

Your always enthusiastic list manager,
Eric
elecraft.com
<Yes, I -do- frequently make Tpyos -- I'm just typing (er, thinking) too fast!> ===

On 4/14/2014 1:24 PM, XE3/K5ENS wrote:
> AND.... my money is that none of these radios are stock out of the box
> settings! Settings are settings and some have been changed. That's
> all I said.
>
> Keith, XE3/K5ENS
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