K3 and 6 meters

[Ron Spencer]

I can say without hesitation that the K3 is sub par on 6 meters compared to
other rigs below its class. I compared directly with an IC746. When we
enjoyed a rare opening on 6 to JA earlier this year I was able to work a JA
with the K3. Barely. And I say barely because the audio was cranked all the
way up and I could just hear them. The next day I ran a line from the RX ant
out to the IC 746 so I could switch between the rigs just by pushing the RX
ANT switch on the K3. With the IC 746 I was able to hear signals that were
not audible on the K3. Clear and simply the K3 was not up to the task.

I did contact Elecraft about this and Wayne replied as he did just today
(10/23) to the reflector with the same explanation. My point to him was no
where is this deficiency on 6 noted in the K3 literature. I agree with those
that already said that $149 for the preamp is steep for performance that
should have been included in the rig. I think the K3 is a FANTASTIC rig for
HF. But am disappointed I needed to spend even more money for equally good
performance on 6. I bought the ARR preamp.....

I'd still buy the K3 and recommend it to others but everyone should be made
aware of its lack of performance on 6.

Ron  N4XD

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[Bob Serwy]

I cannot agree that the K3 is sub par on 6 meters.  I also cannot dispute
what Ron says.  My Pro III cannot hear any better than my K3 on 6 meters.
You must live in a very quite location and have a very good 746.  Like I
said before, at my QTH adding an external preamp would not improve weak
signal performance for me.  Are you sure your K3 is up to spec on 6 meters?
Did you have the preamp on?  Did you have Noise Reduction on.  I know Noise
Reduction can make very weak signals disappear on any band with my K3.


Bob Serwy - N9RS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron Spencer
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 4:05 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and 6 meters

I can say without hesitation that the K3 is sub par on 6 meters compared to
other rigs below its class. I compared directly with an IC746. When we
enjoyed a rare opening on 6 to JA earlier this year I was able to work a JA
with the K3. Barely. And I say barely because the audio was cranked all the
way up and I could just hear them. The next day I ran a line from the RX ant
out to the IC 746 so I could switch between the rigs just by pushing the RX
ANT switch on the K3. With the IC 746 I was able to hear signals that were
not audible on the K3. Clear and simply the K3 was not up to the task.

I did contact Elecraft about this and Wayne replied as he did just today
(10/23) to the reflector with the same explanation. My point to him was no
where is this deficiency on 6 noted in the K3 literature. I agree with those
that already said that $149 for the preamp is steep for performance that
should have been included in the rig. I think the K3 is a FANTASTIC rig for
HF. But am disappointed I needed to spend even more money for equally good
performance on 6. I bought the ARR preamp.....

I'd still buy the K3 and recommend it to others but everyone should be made
aware of its lack of performance on 6.

Ron  N4XD

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[P.B. Christensen]

> "My point to him was no where is this deficiency on 6 noted in the K3
> literature...I'd still buy the K3 and recommend it to others but everyone
> should be made aware of its lack of performance on 6. -Ron  N4XD"

See http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3_specs.htm

Incidentally, I just looked at the measured 500 Hz MDS figures for 6M
operation across several recent QST product reviews.  6M operation MDS
ranges from -128 dBm for the Flex 5000A to the -142 dBm/-143 dBm range for
the Pro-III and high-end transceivers (roughly approaching specs of the K3
with the optional 6M preamp).  Falling in the mid-range was the Ten Tec Omni
VII at -139 dBm.   Keep in mind these are one-unit measurement samples.--  
not a population.

Paul, W9AC

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