QST Review: Minor Quibble
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This really IS a minor quibble, but
the QST review noted that some hams might prefer the larger and more widely
spaced buttons and knobs on “full size” transceivers. Turns out
this isn’t generally correct. By coincidence, a couple of
days ago I compared the front panel layout on my K3 and my FT-2000D. Here
are the results: K3: 39
buttons, 11 knobs FT2000D: 79
buttons, 26 knobs (So the K3 has
roughly half as many knobs and buttons as the Yaesu. What is interesting,
however, is the comparison of the knob sizes:) Inner concentric knobs : K3: .50”
dia FT2K
.46” dia Outer concentric knobs: K3:
.75” dia FT2K .64”
dia Single knobs: K3:
.56” dia FT2K: .73”
dia (only 3) (Thus, in most
cases, the K3’s knobs are as large or larger than those in the FT2K.) Knob Spacing: K3:
1” FT2K
1.1” (No
significant difference, although the different knob groupings between the two
rigs makes comparisons difficult.) Where the FT2K outshines the K3 is
in the tuning knobs, but even here the difference is less than one might
expect. K3:
1.9 (Main), 1.2” (Sub) FT2K
2.4 (Main), 1.4” (Sub) (The
FT2K’s main knob has a much higher quality feel to it than the K3’s
knob, but that’s another story). Basically, the two radios are
roughly equivalent as far as knob and button sizes and spacing are concerned. There
are minor differences, but nothing substantial. What is impressive to me is how
Elecraft managed to get so much convenient functionality with so few knobs and
buttons. Admittedly, some of the single button functions on the Yaesu are
nice – especially the mode and band buttons – but in my opinion
this benefit is outweighed by the huge number of buttons and knobs a user has
to memorize. 73, Jim W8ZR _______________________________________________ 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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W8ZR:
>This really IS a minor quibble, but the QST review noted that some hams might prefer the larger and more widely spaced buttons and knobs on "full size" transceivers. Turns out this isn't generally correct. Thank you for actually making those measurements! Why can't ARRL should learn to base their opinions on facts? Your measurements echo my own experience. Here's what I wrote in my eHam review: "Regarding the controls, I have large hands (9" from pinky to thumb when extended) and I have no problems with the controls. Coming from my experience with a TS-930S, FT-1000MP and Orion, I thought the size of the controls might be a problem but so far it hasn't." Overall a very nice review and I loved it when I saw: "20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)" "Key: † Off Scale" (...in the positive direction) It does appear to me that both 1.8k filters tested were defective and it's too bad they didn't test a 200 Hz. ARRL's measurements are somewhat different than Elecraft's, but overall they look very good. I also believe many are fooling themselves thinking the K3 has to be a $4000 radio. It doesn't need to cost that unless you want the whistles and bells. I'm happy not to be forced to pay for AM, FM, General Coverage, ATU, etc which I don't need. Most contest K3s can be <$3k, even including the KRX3. 73, Bill |
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In reply to this post by Jim Garland
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In reply to this post by Bill W4ZV
On Tue, 2008-11-25 at 20:03, Bill W4ZV wrote:
... > "Regarding the controls, I have large hands (9" from pinky to thumb when > extended) and I have no problems with the controls. I have even larger hands: 9.75-inch span. (I'm 6' 7" tall.) I have absolutely no problems with the controls. I like it that the unit is portable enough that I can just throw it in a suitcase to take on trips. Al N1AL _______________________________________________ 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 Jim Garland
Why not reformat that email and send it to the Editor of QST?
Mark AD5SS On Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 8:46 PM, Dr. James C. Garland <[hidden email]> wrote: > This really IS a minor quibble, but the QST review noted that some hams > might prefer the larger and more widely spaced buttons and knobs on "full > size" transceivers. Turns out this isn't generally correct. By > coincidence, a couple of days ago I compared the front panel layout on my > K3 and my FT-2000D. Here are the results: > > > _______________________________________________ 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: QST Review: Minor Quibble
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In reply to this post by Jim Garland
_______________________________________________ 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 Jim Garland
When I first saw the K3 at Dayton I made fun of the small second VFO knob.
In fact, I was obnoxious about it. Wayne and Eric were good natured (as always) but I could tell they were a bit defensive. I was also worried about the multi-function knobs and how small the face looked. I was used to the Orion. You could fit a K3 in the empty space inside an Orion. I would expect most hams - used to big rigs - would have the same worries. Man, was I wrong. I have had K3 #101 for one-year now and absolutely love it. Once I got used to how it was laid out, everything fit together and I found nothing to complain about. The K3 is the perfect size - all it needs to be and not a bit more or less. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Buck k4ia Fredericksburg, VA **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000002) _______________________________________________ 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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Buck And All,
I didn't have quite the reaction Buck did when I first saw the K3 at Dayton. However, I can certainly appreciate his reservations, and I also thought about the Orion II that I had back at home on my bench. My thoughts, however, were more about how great this rig was going to be for traveling, Field Day, etc. And the knobs didn't seem nearly as small or crowded as many are on a Mark V I also have. If I questioned anything, it was how could they get all those promised features in that little package! The K3 is a great size and weight in my view. And I love it's portability. But I have found a downside! This summer, when we were at the Oregon coast, I had my K3 set up on afternoon, outside our motorhome, on a picnic table. I love to operate out-of-doors, and even at home about 80% of my operating with the K3 is from my back patio. I had an inverted vee set up, fed with 300 ohm line. The feedline was probably a bit shorter than it should be--only a few feet extra. Anyone familiar with the Oregon coast knows the wind can blow pretty darn hard, with really strong gusts. In fact, it seemed last summer that just about all we had were windy days--a lot different than the year before. Anyway, I suddenly realized that the wind was whipping my antenna around a bunch, and the feedline was moving with it of course. My outboard balanced line tuner was off the table before I knew it, and so would have been the K3 if I hadn't grabbed it! Lesson learned! Pretty dumb on my part though, and I should have thought about it ahead of time. The K3 is so light it gives almost no resistance to tugs and pulls, so make sure you have things well stabilized ahead of the rig and tuner. Besides, you don't want even small movements to stress your connectors. For any outside activity, this needs to be on your checklist in big red letters! Dave W7AQK ----- Original Message ----- From: <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:32 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QST Review: Minor Quibble > When I first saw the K3 at Dayton I made fun of the small second VFO > knob. > In fact, I was obnoxious about it. Wayne and Eric were good natured (as > always) but I could tell they were a bit defensive. I was also worried > about the > multi-function knobs and how small the face looked. I was used to the > Orion. You could fit a K3 in the empty space inside an Orion. I would > expect > most hams - used to big rigs - would have the same worries. > > Man, was I wrong. I have had K3 #101 for one-year now and absolutely > love > it. Once I got used to how it was laid out, everything fit together and > I > found nothing to complain about. The K3 is the perfect size - all it > needs to > be and not a bit more or less. > > Have a Happy Thanksgiving! > > Buck > k4ia > Fredericksburg, VA > > > > **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW > AOL.com. > (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000002) > _______________________________________________ > 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: QST Review: Minor Quibble
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In reply to this post by Bill W4ZV
Well, if NCJ counts as an ARRL publication, then they did compare the K3 knob and button spacing with those of the FT-1000MP in that forum. I wrote "Rotary controls are slightly larger but slightly closer than on the MP. K3 pushbutton spacing is slightly wider." Of course, that's not nearly as detailed as W8ZR's comprehensive report nor as strident as yours but it does reach the same conclusion and was published under an ARRL masthead.
73, /Rick N6XI On 11/25/08, Bill W4ZV <[hidden email]> wrote:
_______________________________________________ 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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