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K3 how often do you use it?

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K8RDD

K3 how often do you use it?

I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."
in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
Randy
K8RDD
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timjp

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

Randy,

I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my
purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me.
YMMV.

Tim K5OI/qrp
Ruidoso, NM

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough
> for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by
> putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs,
> but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who
> dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most
> everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their
> radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably
> every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use
> your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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K2QI

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

I use my K3 at least once a week... perhaps a few hours here or there. I
have two kids and work full time, so getting the air time is a nice treat.

I wouldn't mind having a bigger box with bigger knobs and a nice LCD to
boot, but my desk/shack won't permit it. See my shack picture on QRZ if you
want to see how we New Yorkers in apartments deal with space issues, hi!

Vy 73 de James K2QI

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tim
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 8:54 PM
To: Randy Downs
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?

Randy,

I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my
purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me.
YMMV.

Tim K5OI/qrp
Ruidoso, NM

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--... ...-- -.. . .--- .- -- . ...

Mike Reublin

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

I didn't find any questions about marketing when I took my ham exams. I
think all that needs to be judged on the subject, is to look at sales vs
the time the K3 has been in production. Seems to me they're listening to
the crowd who's willing to reach for the hip pocket. How much smarter
marketing strategy could there possibly be?

I think HF in general is falling in popularity, but that's due to the
FCC;s decision to put everybody's shack on their belt.

I do think the Kenwood TS-2000 is a particularly ugly radio. ;-)

73, Mike NF4L

Randy Downs wrote:

> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

NZ0T

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

Don't know about actual time but 90% the K3 and 10% my pristine TS-940S.

Mike-14 wrote

I didn't find any questions about marketing when I took my ham exams. I
think all that needs to be judged on the subject, is to look at sales vs
the time the K3 has been in production. Seems to me they're listening to
the crowd who's willing to reach for the hip pocket. How much smarter
marketing strategy could there possibly be?

I think HF in general is falling in popularity, but that's due to the
FCC;s decision to put everybody's shack on their belt.

I do think the Kenwood TS-2000 is a particularly ugly radio. ;-)

73, Mike NF4L

Randy Downs wrote:
> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
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Gary Smith-2

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

If I would have been the one to decide on size, the height is just
fine with the bail up. I would have made it maybe an inch wider for
increased accessibility for my thick fingers which are marginally
thinner than my head.

I'm the kind of who finds cell phone keypads too small too...

As to K3 use/week: 100% of my operations till I finish replacing all
of the electrolytics in my Corsair II with new Ultra low ESR caps &
even then it'll be 95% K3.

Time wise? contests... most of the contest.
DXing: Listening 10 hours a week. Transmit? 30 minutes including
exchanges & small talk.
Other: 1-2 hours as my AM radio in the shack

73,
Gary
KA1J

Ci Jones

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by timjp

Same here, but about 25 hours a week. Having sold an Orion and bought
the K3, I did it in part because of its nice size and ergonomics. I
love this radio, and I have only had it about a month now. But I guess
I am weird in that I still really like my K2...

Ci Jones, WU7R
Helena, MT

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim <[hidden email]>
To: Randy Downs <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Sat, Jan 9, 2010 6:54 pm
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?

Randy,

I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited
for my
purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me.
YMMV.

Tim K5OI/qrp
Ruidoso, NM

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing
enough
> for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by
> putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more
knobs,
> but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong
people who
> dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche
of most
> everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn
their
> radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio
probably
> every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do
you use

> your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

Randy,

That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3
ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on
such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by
contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will
purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your
opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along
with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over
3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that
fact despite what some would call "shortcomings" such as a small front
panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks
are still buying them.
It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you
will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own
decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so
if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the
larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance and
diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3
shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'.

73,
Don W3FPR

Randy Downs wrote:

Rick Johnson-2

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by timjp

As I am retired and planned on being on the air a lot I find I use my new K3about 40 hours a week. I find the "ergonomics and packaging perfect formy use. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Rick W3BI

> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:54:07 -0700
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> CC: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
>
> Randy,
>
> I use my K3 probably 30+ hours per week and I find it superbly suited for my
> purposes. A bigger box with more knobs I don't need but that's just me.
> YMMV.
>
> Tim K5OI/qrp
> Ruidoso, NM
>
> On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 6:41 PM, Randy Downs <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough
> > for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by
> > putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs,
> > but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who
> > dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most
> > everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their
> > radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably
> > every second day is not wise."
> > in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do you use
> > your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I guess.
> > Randy
> > K8RDD
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
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K1LI

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

I sold a "big rig" in deference to the K3. Many of the "big screen" features
of the "big rigs" - and more, I'll wager - will be provided by the P3 at a
price which will *begin* to put the K3+P3 combo in the same league as the
"big rigs" but still with the performance advantages that many Elecraft
owners value.

For me, this highlights the SUPERIORITY of Elecraft's marketing - you can
pay for only the features you need: output power, 2nd receiver, portability,
screen size, etc. I'd like to have this kind of "unbundled" value from my
satellite TV provider!

--
73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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AD4C2009

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend said.
He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that precisely the "Big guns" as he call the major dxers on the world are all selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy? because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are selling them to buy K3's.
I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many radios that has passed by here.
I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of 55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db over,surely he will lose the weak one using those "big" radios,that don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to carry it to anywhere on this planet.
Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even one,only back up radios they took were the K2's.
The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and If someone don't believe it,that is his problem.
have a good weekend.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
To: "Randy Downs" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM

Randy,

That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3
ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on
such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by
contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will
purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your
opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along
with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over
3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that
fact despite what some would call "shortcomings" such as a small front
panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks
are still buying them.
It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you
will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own
decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so
if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the
larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance and
diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3
shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'.

73,
Don W3FPR

Randy Downs wrote:

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Philippe Trottet

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

Hi Gang,
I fully agree with Hector's comments, we have to know what we want ?
It has been explained many times in the reflector what was the Elecraft
politics, easy to carry rig for dxpeditions or field days with great
performance etc.etc...
By Hams, for Hams, that's the Ham spirit who has been a little bit
forgetted since we are using those "limousine" rigs where most functions
are automated and not let the user to go beyond the limit if they want
to.
The design looks not like those pretty rigs, so what !
After testing on lab most of the commercial and Hams rigs on the market
for years my only regret was not to order a K3 earlier, thanks to John
ON4UN, who convinced me !
As a exclusive wire antenna user, what a great help for chasing the
weak signal especially in a industrial environment as mine.
In cw it is a great performer and in ssb it's not bad too with the 2.8
+ 1,8 khz 8 poles filters where you can discriminated easily a weaker
signal in a overloaded environment.
The Electraft team are taking care of the comments of the users to
improve day after day their products, what can be expected more for us ?

I'm just a little bit anxious about the continuity of Elecraft company
when Wayne and Eric will be retired but no doubt they will find somebody
in the pure Ham spirit as they are.
73's
Philippe A65BI (F5LTB)

http://www.qrz.com/callsign/A65BI

Philippe TROTTET
Head of Field Telecom Unit - DUBAI

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
International Humanitarian City
Office Building Nº3 - Room 2, 1st Floor
Doha Street
PO BOX: 506013
DUBAI - U.A.E.

Dubai time: GMT +4
W: Sunday to Thursday
HQ Ext: 7120
Vsat: xx 41 22 7120
External:
+971 4 3601753
+41 22 739 7120
Mobile: +971 504531756
Website: www.unhcr.org ( http://www.unhcr.org/ )

>>> Hector Padron <[hidden email]> 10-01-2010 7:42 >>>
Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend
said.
He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and
dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that
precisely the "Big guns" as he call the major dxers on the world are all
selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy?
because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio
than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who
after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are
selling them to buy K3's.
I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I
will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not
beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted
here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison
test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many
radios that has passed by here.
I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of
55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db
over,surely he will lose the weak one using those "big" radios,that
don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift
down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do
with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to
this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to
carry it to anywhere on this planet.
Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios
were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even
one,only back up radios they took were the K2's.
The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and
If someone don't believe it,that is his problem.
have a good weekend.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
To: "Randy Downs" <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft@mailman
.qth.net
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM

Randy,

That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3
ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on

such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by
contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will

purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your
opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along

with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over
3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that
fact despite what some would call "shortcomings" such as a small front

panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks

are still buying them.
It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you
will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own
decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so

if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the
larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance
and
diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3
shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'.

73,
Don W3FPR

Randy Downs wrote:
> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing
enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix
it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and
more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the
wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont
understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a
small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while
ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do
you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I
guess.

> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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AD4C2009

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

There you go Phillip,and you should say also that ON4UN considered one of the "BIG GUN" dxer in the world replaced his two Tentec Orions,another very high performance radio for two K3's,that says it all.
Thanks for your comments and by the way I bet your dog dentist must be very expensive,haha,73

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, Philippe Trottet <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Philippe Trottet <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
To: [hidden email]
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 4:48 AM

Hi Gang,
I fully agree with Hector's comments, we have to know what we want ?
It has been explained many times in the reflector what was the Elecraft
politics, easy to carry rig for dxpeditions or field days with great
performance etc.etc...
By Hams, for Hams, that's the Ham spirit who has been a little bit
forgetted since we are using those "limousine" rigs where most functions
are automated and not let the user to go beyond the limit if they want
to.
The design looks not like those pretty rigs, so what !
After testing on lab most of the commercial and Hams rigs on the market
for years my only regret was not to order a K3 earlier, thanks to John
ON4UN, who convinced me !
As a exclusive wire antenna user, what a great help for chasing the
weak signal especially in a industrial environment as mine.
In cw it is a great performer and in ssb it's not bad too with the 2.8
+ 1,8 khz 8 poles filters where you can discriminated easily a weaker
signal in a overloaded environment.
The Electraft team are taking care of the comments of the users to
improve day after day their products, what can be expected more for us ?

I'm just a little bit anxious about the continuity of Elecraft company
when Wayne and Eric will be retired but no doubt they will find somebody
in the pure Ham spirit as they are.
73's
Philippe A65BI (F5LTB)

http://www.qrz.com/callsign/A65BI

Philippe TROTTET
Head of Field Telecom Unit - DUBAI

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
International Humanitarian City
Office Building Nº3 - Room 2, 1st Floor
Doha Street
PO BOX: 506013
DUBAI - U.A.E.

Dubai time: GMT +4
W: Sunday to Thursday
HQ Ext: 7120
Vsat: xx 41 22 7120
External:
+971 4 3601753
+41 22 739 7120
Mobile: +971 504531756
Website: www.unhcr.org ( http://www.unhcr.org/ )

>>> Hector Padron <[hidden email]> 10-01-2010 7:42 >>>
Hi Randy,nothing more away from the actual reality what your friend
said.
He is obviously not updated with what is going on in the contesting and
dxing world of hamradio lately,IF he were then he sure will know that
precisely the "Big guns" as he call the major dxers on the world are all
selling their big FT-1000D,FT-1000MK5,FT-2000D,.etc to buy K3's.Wy?
because they all have realized that the K3 is a better performance radio
than those mentioned before.I even know two guys here in my county who
after owning for a year the IC-7700 and IC-7800 top guns from Icoms are
selling them to buy K3's.
I am not a heavy contester neither dxer but I use my K3 day by day,I
will say 365 days a year and its not an ugly radio,certainly is not
beautiful as a FT-2000 but guess what, I owned a FT-2000 and it lasted
here in my shack just 2 months because it did not passed the comparison
test againts my K3,neither the ProIII that I owned before,neither many
radios that has passed by here.
I will ask your friend If he could pull a weak station with a signal of
55 on 40M having at just 2Khz below another station with 20db
over,surely he will lose the weak one using those "big" radios,that
don't happen in a K3 where using a roofer of 1.8Khz and moving the shift
down 50Hz the QRM will totally disapear,that is something you can't do
with any of those big radios,that is why all contesters are switching to
this small size radio that is also very portable and light enough to
carry it to anywhere on this planet.
Ask your friend why last year at the Ducie island VP6DX all the radios
were K3's,they did not take any of the big radios for sure,not even
one,only back up radios they took were the K2's.
The K3 has probed to be the highest performance radio in the market and
If someone don't believe it,that is his problem.
have a good weekend.

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
To: "Randy Downs" <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft@mailman
.qth.net
Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:21 AM

Randy,

That is one man's opinion, and it is not shared by all. The K3
ergonomics went through a sizable focus group before final decisions on

such matters were made. Yes, that group was heavily influenced by
contesting types and DX types, and they seem to be the groups that will

purchase whatever will give them an edge on the competition. Your
opinions may differ, but the portability aspects for DXpeditions along

with the high performance receiver has gone a long way - it sold over
3000 K3s in under 3 years. There is something to be said about that
fact despite what some would call "shortcomings" such as a small front

panel. The K2 received similar criticism over its 10 years, but folks

are still buying them.
It is difficult to please all with one design. Each to his own - you
will have to weigh the pros and cons of each when reaching your own
decision. There are transceivers out there with large front panels, so

if that is the most important parameter on your list, then one of the
larger radios would be the first choice, but if receiver performance
and
diversity reception are the highest items on your list, then the K3
shines without equal (despite any other 'shortcomings'.

73,
Don W3FPR

Randy Downs wrote:
> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing
enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix
it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and
more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the
wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont
understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a
small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while
ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do
you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a poll I
guess.

Julian, G4ILO

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

K8RDD wrote

I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5 times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every second day is not wise."

That's just one man's opinion, one thing every ham is guaranteed to have. But the assertion that K3 owners hardly ever use their radios makes it a pretty ludicrous opinion.

The K3 can't possibly be all things to all people but if it can be done in firmware it certainly tries. However size / ergonomics is one aspect where it can only be one thing or the other. The fact that Elecraft went for a light weight small size package probably does reflect the preferences of its founders, if previous Elecraft models are anything to go by. They wanted to create a high performance radio that could easily be used in the field, as well as at home.

I guess they might also have considered that smaller, lower cost radios sell in greater numbers and represent less of a business risk than one that appealed only to those with deep pockets and a very large shack. I certainly would not have bought a K3 if it was $1000 more, twice the size and four times the weight.

Yaesu, Icom and Ten-Tec both have a range of products that cater for all needs from the portable operator to the shack-bound top DXers. Note that Kenwood with its smaller range don't make a desktop leviathan either. When Elecraft has been established as long as Yaesu, Icom and Ten-Tec they'll probably have a big desktop model too.

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

Mike Harris

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by timjp

G'day,

Being retired my K3 is used every day mainly chasing down DX so more
listening than transmitting. I don't have any problem with the form
factor, suits me just fine, so does the K2 I built in 2000 and which
accounted for over 200 DXCC for me during its evolution from QRP to
QRO and my improving antenna circumstances. It took a while to get
used to the soft buttons on the K3 compared to the solid clicky
action of those on the K2. I've never had a pan-display so I don't
miss it and looking at the operating sequences in the K5D video it
seems to be a big distraction of limited use.

For me the K3 build experience is no where near as much fun as the
K2 but that isn't the question.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

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Mike Harris

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by timjp

hank_stamper

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by K8RDD

I use my K3 almost every day. If it were in a bigger box I probably
would not have bought it and gotten the Flex 3000 instead. A small
footprint was one of my requirements. But then again coming from an
FT-100D as my only HF radio, the K3 seems huge and to have a wealth
of controls :-)

Another county heard from.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS

On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote:

> I fellow said "Elecrafts ergonomics and packaging is not appealing
> enough for most people despite its receiver performance. They could
> fix it by putting the K3 into a bigger box with a decent front
> panel and more knobs, but they wont. They wont because they are
> listening to the wrong people who dont have a clue about marketing
> and who dont understand the psyche of most everyday hams. Hedging
> your bets on a small group of hams who turn their radios maybe 5
> times a year while ignoring those who use a radio probably every
> second day is not wise."
> in a message to me. I guess now the question becomes, how often do
> you use your K3? I use mine at least 10 hours a week. We need a
> poll I guess.
> Randy
> K8RDD
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Dick Williams-2

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

I beg to differ with who stated that "most" hams want large radios and find
the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable.

First, not every ham wants a "boat anchor" box that takes up half the
operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. Granted there is a
certain "niche" market of guys that feel the "bigger the better"; but I
don't know as if that is the majority. Sure, there are tradeoffs when you
reduce the size of anything; and closer spaced buttons and knobs is one of
them with a smaller footprint radio. I just took a good look at the
keyboard on my cell phone; it has 41 buttons in a 1" by 4" space. I see
kids texting a "mile a minute" and never missing a beat on those keyboards;
the K3 has 46 in a 4" by 10 3/4" space; think how much smaller they could
make the K3!

What is the "psyche" of "most" hams? And what "more" knobs do we all need
(with possible exception of one to "null out" the XYL when she is yelling at
us to come to dinner when we are trying to work some rare DX)? What is the
matter with the front panel now? In the past I owned a Orion I, II, Yaesu
Ft-1000D, 1000D Mark V, and numerous Drake and Heath equipment. I would not
say their front panels were any better (or worse) than the K3. I would
agree that some of the Yaesu and Icom radios (with all their color displays
and flashing lights, bells, and whistles) might look "cool"; but at what
expense and does it really improve the performance of the radio?

Just because the K3 does not fit with one individuals perception of what the
radio should be, does not mean that Elecraft is listening to the wrong
people. They are listening to the guys that want a small, light radio that
will outperform, or is certainly on par with any other out there (regardless
of size). And it is a radio that we can take apart without having to worry
about "voiding the warranty", one we can replace parts and boards if need
be, and if does need to be returned to Aptos, it will not cost a small
fortune to do so.

Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times
a year. The K3 is not for the "everyday, get on the air and rag chew with
the guy in the next state" amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and
contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my
radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7.

This is my "2 cents worth".

Dick K8ZTT

On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote:

AD4C2009

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

"Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times
a year. The K3 is not for the "everyday, get on the air and rag chew with
the guy in the next state" amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and
contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my
radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7."

Can anyone with one of those boat anchors can do this:
Two nights ago on 40M there was a station from Africa calling cq with a signal of about 57 on SSB and I wanted to work him but just 2Khz below there was a net with lots of stations,most of them 59+20db,you know how bad QRM is that for sure,well,not a problem for a K3,moved down the WIDTH to 1.8 engaged the 1.8Khz roofer as well,moved to the left the SHIFT,to reach the 1.0 spot and what happened? the net and ALL of their users were completely GONE and the dx station was coming cristal clear,end of the story I worked the African station nice and easy.
That is why I use my K3 every single day of the year at least 5 to 6 hours,period !

AD4C

"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Mon, 1/11/10, Dick Williams <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Dick Williams <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 how often do you use it?
To: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, January 11, 2010, 6:21 PM

I beg to differ with who stated that "most" hams want large radios and find
the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable.

First, not every ham wants a "boat anchor" box that takes up half the
operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs. Granted there is a
certain "niche" market of guys that feel the "bigger the better"; but I
don't know as if that is the majority. Sure, there are tradeoffs when you
reduce the size of anything; and closer spaced buttons and knobs is one of
them with a smaller footprint radio. I just took a good look at the
keyboard on my cell phone; it has 41 buttons in a 1" by 4" space. I see
kids texting a "mile a minute" and never missing a beat on those keyboards;
the K3 has 46 in a 4" by 10 3/4" space; think how much smaller they could
make the K3!

What is the "psyche" of "most" hams? And what "more" knobs do we all need
(with possible exception of one to "null out" the XYL when she is yelling at
us to come to dinner when we are trying to work some rare DX)? What is the
matter with the front panel now? In the past I owned a Orion I, II, Yaesu
Ft-1000D, 1000D Mark V, and numerous Drake and Heath equipment. I would not
say their front panels were any better (or worse) than the K3. I would
agree that some of the Yaesu and Icom radios (with all their color displays
and flashing lights, bells, and whistles) might look "cool"; but at what
expense and does it really improve the performance of the radio?

Just because the K3 does not fit with one individuals perception of what the
radio should be, does not mean that Elecraft is listening to the wrong
people. They are listening to the guys that want a small, light radio that
will outperform, or is certainly on par with any other out there (regardless
of size). And it is a radio that we can take apart without having to worry
about "voiding the warranty", one we can replace parts and boards if need
be, and if does need to be returned to Aptos, it will not cost a small
fortune to do so.

Lastly, I think the majority of K3 owners use their radio more than 5 times
a year. The K3 is not for the "everyday, get on the air and rag chew with
the guy in the next state" amateur. The K3 is targeting DXers and
contesters, and I think they are on more than a few times a year. I use my
radio every day, and in fact it is on 24/7.

This is my "2 cents worth".

Dick K8ZTT

On Jan 9, 2010, at 5:41 PM, Randy Downs wrote:

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Rick Dettinger-3

Re: K3 how often do you use it?

In reply to this post by Dick Williams-2

I am glad that my K3 doesn't weight in excess of 50 lbs. I have to
carry it up a "ships" ladder into my shack, which is in a loft. One
hand for the ladder and one for the K3. I do this several times a
year to update the firmware.

73,
Rick Dettinger K7MW

On Jan 11, 2010, at 10:21 AM, Dick Williams wrote:

>
> I beg to differ with who stated that "most" hams want large radios
> and find
> the ergonomics and packaging of the K3 to be less than desirable.
>
> First, not every ham wants a "boat anchor" box that takes up half the
> operating position and weights in excess of 50 lbs.
>

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