VB: Reason to NOT buy a K3?

[sm7vzx]

Hello,
 
How's about performance on 10M band? I'm thinking to use K3 like IF to my XV-144. Now I'm using K2.
 
K3 wasn't on market when this list created, http://lea.hamradio.si/~s53ww/xvrt/xvrt.htm, Table 4: IP3 values of different HF RIG's on 14 MHz and 28 MHz...
 
Thank You
Samir, SM7VZX
 
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2010 15:11:34 -0500
From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reason to NOT buy a K3?
To: [hidden email]
Cc: 'Elecraft' <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

  Gary,

Since DXing on 80 meters often is similar to DXing on 160 meters, the
"testimonial" from W8JI right after he received his K3 may give you some
insight - Tom said something similar to: he wished that he would be the
only operator with a K3! Yes that was a "backwards" compliment to the
K3, but if you are familiar with Tom's posts on the Topband reflector
and others, you will know that he is very critical about any radio - not
so with the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 12/26/2010 2:10 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:

> Hello all and Happy Holidays!
>
> I've been reading the K3 reflector for the past couple of weeks. I'm in
> the market for a new radio and have my choices narrowed down to a couple
> models to replace my TS-850S which has served me very well.
>
> First my operating interests:
>
> I primarily spend my time contesting, DX contests in particular, and
> most of my time on 80 and 40M. 99% of the time I operate CW. So, in
> particular, low band CW performance is important to me. In between
> contests I spend my time DXing, again primarily on the low bands. Some
> occasional VHF operating on 6 and 2M.
>
> I'd also like to point out that I do interface my radios to a dedicated
> computer using Win XP pro and use N1MM for contesting and Logger 32 for
> general operating. Both of these applications are very well supported
> and the K3 is well represented among users.
>
> I've narrowed my choices down to two radios, the FTDX5000 and the K3.
> There are several things keeping me from falling in love with the FTDX5000:
>
> 1) The CW break-in performance is broken in the FTDX5K above ~30 wpm,
> resulting in chopped characters, and from what I'm told, really bad
> sounding on the air.
> 2) The APF filter is also not working correctly.
> 3) The contour control does not function on CW, I believe only on SSB.
>
> Of course, these limitations COULD be fixed by Yaesu in future revisions
> but I'm apprehensive that Yaesu is going to fix anything. They
> certainly don't participate in the FTDX5000 user forums although
> supposedly they do read the posts. Sort of the "we know what we're
> doing, there's no problem" attitude with JA radio manufacturers. After
> all, how many FT-1000XX radios were built with the key click problem? I
> don't think Yaesu ever admitted there was an issue and the fix was
> relatively simple to implement in production.
>
> At $5K plus one would hope these problems are addressed but one never
> knows. Certainly Elecraft is much more responsive and is actively
> involved in post sale issues and solutions.
>
> I've never been a fan of ICOM HF radios although the IC-7800 gets good
> reviews but at $10K per radio??? I've also used Ten-Tec before and
> never been a big fan plus the Orion II suffers from a poor performing
> 2nd receiver and I know of several locals that have had there Orions
> back for service/updates several times. So what else is there and am I
> missing anything else?
>
> Which brings me to the K3. This radio seems, to me, to be exactly what
> I'm looking for. I really can't think of anything holding me back.
>
> I'm looking at the 100W model with the following accessories:
>
> a) KAT3
> b) KXV3A
> c) 2.8K 8 pole SSB filter
> d) 400 hz 8 pole filter
> e) 250 hz 8 pole filter
>
> Future options would be the KRX sub receiver, K144XV-K 2M Module (I do
> some VHF operating but presently have a rig for 2M SSB anyway), I'm
> not currently using any receive antennas on 80/40M. I'd like an opinion
> on this but I don't think I see the advantage to buying the sub receiver
> UNTIL I have receive antennas available for diversity reception? What
> am I missing here?
>
> I don't operate any of the digital modes but I would like to do so. Is
> the 2.8K filter adequate for digital modes or do I want something different?
>
> I also like the portability of the K3 as I am planning on some future
> DX-pedition use. I can't see lugging a 43 pound FTDX5000 through
> airport security either.
>
> Sorry for the long post but I wanted to have a sanity check with some
> experienced K3 users that know the K3 and have similar interests and
> requirements. I'm on vacation this week and one thing I do plan on
> doing is dropping by a local in or DX club and using his K3 for a couple
> of hours.
>
> Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.
>

--

Samir, 7S7V
www.qsl.net/7s7v

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[Milt -- N5IA]

This is really a NO-BRAINER.

It is no different than accepting the offer (read as wife's permission to
purchase one K-3) to eat only ONE of a certain brand of chips.

Once you have tasted one (read as owned a K-3), you can't stop there!  You
have to have another.

HAPPY NEW YEAR de Milt, N5IA

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