Elecraft

Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Classic

List

Threaded

14 messages Options

Ken G Kopp

Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Simple answer ... they are uequalled in performance!

73

Ken - K0PP
______________________________________________________________
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]

charlie carroll

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Yep, good performance. AND, they are light. I carry my K3 to the
Caribbean in either my backpack or a Pelican case.

73 charlie, k1xx

On 8/20/2015 4:22 PM, Ken G Kopp wrote:

> Simple answer ... they are uequalled in performance!
>
> 73
>
> Ken - K0PP
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

W1KSZ

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Free doesn't hurt either !!

73, Dick, W1KSZ

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ken G
Kopp
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:23 PM
To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Simple answer ... they are uequalled in performance!

73

Ken - K0PP
______________________________________________________________
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]

Jim Brown-10

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

On Thu,8/20/2015 1:58 PM, Richard W. Solomon wrote:
> Free doesn't hurt either !!

While Elecraft has made some nice donations/loans of gear, last I
looked, ICOM gave more freebies than Elecraft. But the experienced
DXpeditioners started turning them down because the K3s blew them out of
the water for phase noise and cleanliness of TX signals. This has been
true with several trips I'm aware of, and the guys brought their own K3s
when they couldn't get support from Elecraft.

In addition to the performance advantages already noted, the RX in the
K3 is far more bulletproof than in most other radios, and the K3s are
both smaller and weigh less.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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]

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Administrator

In reply to this post by W1KSZ

The DXpedition members usually purchase the rigs after the DXpedition.

73,

Eric
elecraft.com
_..._

> On Aug 20, 2015, at 4:58 PM, Richard W. Solomon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Free doesn't hurt either !!
>
> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ken G
> Kopp
> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:23 PM
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Why K3's are on most DXpeditions
>
> Simple answer ... they are uequalled in performance!
>
> 73
>
> Ken - K0PP
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

bs usb

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Now I understand the 'Free doesn't hurt either post'

Maybe I need to look into that. How many free radios does a DXpedition get?

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:

> The DXpedition members usually purchase the rigs after the DXpedition.
>
> 73,
>
> Eric
> elecraft.com
> _..._
>
>
>
>> On Aug 20, 2015, at 4:58 PM, Richard W. Solomon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Free doesn't hurt either !!
>>
>> 73, Dick, W1KSZ
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ken G
>> Kopp
>> Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:23 PM
>> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Why K3's are on most DXpeditions
>>
>> Simple answer ... they are uequalled in performance!
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Ken - K0PP
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Jerry Moore

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

The illuminating facts are that the K3/S is selected because multiple radios
operating in a close area don't interfere where other brands apparently do.

______________________________________________________________
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]

ae4pb

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

In reply to this post by bs usb

Guy Olinger K2AV

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

PVRC contest club members have known this very useful fact for quite a
few years now. Our 3A North Carolina field day group (N4C this year)
goes to 100% K3 on HF bands for field day so that we can have both CW
and SSB going on the same band. We never hear the other TX on the
band. Not even a little keyed hiss. Just plain NOTHING heard from the
other TX on the band. We do take precaution to minimize coupling
between two antennas on the same band. Don't want to burn anything up.

M/M, M/2, M/S experience in many contests also return like results.

Light, portable, relatively minimal power use, extremely remearkably
clean TX signal, everyone now knows how to use K3's and is familiar
with the front panel. There's always enough K3's available, including
a spare or two just in case. What's not to like.

Not conjecture. Not KoolAid. Heading toward a decade of experiential
proof from pedal to the metal contesting. Stainless steel plain
indisputable facts.

We're now waiting to see just how close we can get two 3A syn K3's,
K3S, side by side on CW on the same band. That would be the typical
run and S/P two operator & K3 complement per band in major multi TX
setups. CQWWDX contests this fall will tell the story.

This is where the improvements are not at all theoretical and have
direct bearing on successful operations. Maybe doesn't apply to the
ham who only uses the radio to talk to Uncle Elmer on 75m at 10 pm on
75m SSB. Crush it to the wall WFO contest operators are another story.
Like NASCAR drivers doing things to tires Aunt Matilda would never do
with her Ford Falcon.

Big difference is that I can't afford NASCAR grade cars, but I CAN afford a K3.

73, Guy K2AV

On Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 9:54 AM, <[hidden email]> wrote:
> The illuminating facts are that the K3/S is selected because multiple radios
> operating in a close area don't interfere where other brands apparently do.
______________________________________________________________
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]

NK7Z

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Guy is correct, I have a ham living about 700 feet from me, and when he
opens up with his KW, my old Icom used to die... The K3 does not even
let me know he is on if he is beyond 10 to 20 KHz. Only way I can tell
is a HUGE spike in the P3 at his operating frequency.

I did a very informal set of tests located at

http://nk7z.net/wiki/elecraft-k3-macros/elecraft-k3-xlr-to-radio/elecraft-k3-new-synthesizer/

using the P3, and looking at the new synths, as compared to the old
synths. The screen shots show how very tight the K3 really is when
placed next to a strong signal...

--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net

For MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
For Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
For MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Fri, 2015-08-21 at 10:53 -0400, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:

> PVRC contest club members have known this very useful fact for quite a
> few years now. Our 3A North Carolina field day group (N4C this year)
> goes to 100% K3 on HF bands for field day so that we can have both CW
> and SSB going on the same band. We never hear the other TX on the
> band. Not even a little keyed hiss. Just plain NOTHING heard from the
> other TX on the band. We do take precaution to minimize coupling
> between two antennas on the same band. Don't want to burn anything up.
>
> M/M, M/2, M/S experience in many contests also return like results.
>
> Light, portable, relatively minimal power use, extremely remearkably
> clean TX signal, everyone now knows how to use K3's and is familiar
> with the front panel. There's always enough K3's available, including
> a spare or two just in case. What's not to like.
>
> Not conjecture. Not KoolAid. Heading toward a decade of experiential
> proof from pedal to the metal contesting. Stainless steel plain
> indisputable facts.
>
> We're now waiting to see just how close we can get two 3A syn K3's,
> K3S, side by side on CW on the same band. That would be the typical
> run and S/P two operator & K3 complement per band in major multi TX
> setups. CQWWDX contests this fall will tell the story.
>
> This is where the improvements are not at all theoretical and have
> direct bearing on successful operations. Maybe doesn't apply to the
> ham who only uses the radio to talk to Uncle Elmer on 75m at 10 pm on
> 75m SSB. Crush it to the wall WFO contest operators are another story.
> Like NASCAR drivers doing things to tires Aunt Matilda would never do
> with her Ford Falcon.
>
> Big difference is that I can't afford NASCAR grade cars, but I CAN afford a K3.
>
> 73, Guy K2AV
>
> On Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 9:54 AM, <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > The illuminating facts are that the K3/S is selected because multiple radios
> > operating in a close area don't interfere where other brands apparently do.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Jim Brown-10

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

In reply to this post by Guy Olinger K2AV

On Fri,8/21/2015 7:53 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> VRC contest club members have known this very useful fact for quite a
> few years now. Our 3A North Carolina field day group (N4C this year)
> goes to 100% K3 on HF bands for field day so that we can have both CW
> and SSB going on the same band.

Yup. And you're not the only ones. My old club back in Chicago, running
3A as K9OR, regularly places in the top of their class. They've been all
K3 for quite a few years.

I'm part of a team that sets up 3-4 stations in a rare county for the
California QSO Party. We carefully locate antennas to minimize
interstation interference, with a goal of CW and SSB on the same bands.
We've ALWAYS run K3s with 600W power amps into tribanders separated by
about 250 ft, and 80/40 dipoles with about 400 ft separation and arrayed
colinearly. This year (Oct 3-4) will be our first year with new synth
boards. When we have enough of them, the amps are all KPA500s. One year
I brought a used ACOM 1010 I had acquired thinking that being a tube
amp, it might be cleaner. Turns out it's got a bit more IMD than the P3.

73, Jim K9YC
______________________________________________________________
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]

Gary K9GS

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Yep...and the WK ARC of Greater Milwaukee, N9AW (2A), is also an all
Elecraft FD group using three K3's plus the back up radios are also
K3s. Seven or eight antennas on 80-6M all within probably a 200 ft
radius. Never a hint of the other radios transmitting.

On 8/21/2015 1:05 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On Fri,8/21/2015 7:53 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
>> VRC contest club members have known this very useful fact for quite a
>> few years now. Our 3A North Carolina field day group (N4C this year)
>> goes to 100% K3 on HF bands for field day so that we can have both CW
>> and SSB going on the same band.
>
> Yup. And you're not the only ones. My old club back in Chicago,
> running 3A as K9OR, regularly places in the top of their class.
> They've been all K3 for quite a few years.
>
> I'm part of a team that sets up 3-4 stations in a rare county for the
> California QSO Party. We carefully locate antennas to minimize
> interstation interference, with a goal of CW and SSB on the same
> bands. We've ALWAYS run K3s with 600W power amps into tribanders
> separated by about 250 ft, and 80/40 dipoles with about 400 ft
> separation and arrayed colinearly. This year (Oct 3-4) will be our
> first year with new synth boards. When we have enough of them, the
> amps are all KPA500s. One year I brought a used ACOM 1010 I had
> acquired thinking that being a tube amp, it might be cleaner. Turns
> out it's got a bit more IMD than the P3.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>
>
> --
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032 http://www.cwops.org
>
> ************************************************

John King-10

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Another data point from the all-K3 FD station W1LY (2A RI). The 3 Yagi
antennas in the photo (link below) were all on the 20m band simultaneously
for at least 4 hours at the beginning of FD. 1 station was on 20 CW, and 2
stations were on 20 SSB. All running 100 Watts. Another K3 was used in the
VHF station, and 2 other K3's were on standby as spares. Picture here:
http://w1sye.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/FD-2015-Panorama-Resized.jpg

73,

John WA1ABI

______________________________________________________________
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]

Gary Gregory-2

Re: Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

From a more simplified position:

Portable operations with a K3 from early 2008, continuously through to today, the K3 has been the only transceiver in use.
Multiple wire antennas and a tri-band yagi on a trailer mounted tower is in my estimation are "hard life" and I would question what other transceiver could stand up to this type of rigor?
Bare in mind the K3 has not known what a nice comfy shack is, it does know what a motor home, a campsite and the great outdoors is and I could not question the Elecraft quality, reliability and suitability for this type of operation.
Now add the legendary, and I mean legendary, support and robust design, and I think most if not all agree that the K3 stands alone at the very top of the list of transceivers built for top performance, suitability, reliability and ease of operation.
I read about "Flagship" radios and I chuckle, none of them have survived what I term hard life conditions, been there, done that, and I have the Yaesu and Kenwood T-shirts to prove it but not their equipment, both failed in the first year and were moved on.
DXpeditions run for a few weeks, my K3 has run for 7 years and counting.
Way to go Eric and Wayne, you guys' deserve every accolade that's out there.

Just my highly biased nickels worth.

73
Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: "John King" <[hidden email]>
Sent: ‎22/‎08/‎2015 1:29 PM
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Why K3's are on most DXpeditions

Another data point from the all-K3 FD station W1LY (2A RI). The 3 Yagi
antennas in the photo (link below) were all on the 20m band simultaneously
for at least 4 hours at the beginning of FD. 1 station was on 20 CW, and 2
stations were on 20 SSB. All running 100 Watts. Another K3 was used in the
VHF station, and 2 other K3's were on standby as spares. Picture here:
http://w1sye.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/FD-2015-Panorama-Resized.jpg

73,

John WA1ABI

______________________________________________________________
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]