Posted by
Bill W4ZV on
Oct 06, 2007; 8:52pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Comparison-K3-and-SDR-5000A-tp454268.html
AB8O:
>I would like to hear from my fellow Elecraft fans regarding general
impressions of the K3 versus the SDR 5000A, software defined radio.
Good question John...unlikely it can be answered
completely until after the K3 ships. I've also been following
the 5000, and here are some strictly *academic* thoughts based
on published info:
RX Performance (2 kHz spacing, 500 Hz filter):
Metric K3 5000 Advantage Sources
IMDDR3 94 96 neutral Eric/Sherwood
BDR 138 123 K3
Eric/Sherwood
Note: Sherwood published data for 5 kHz only but the 5000
should have identical IMD/BDR performance at 2 kHz.
Phase Noise:
Rig 1kHz 2 10 20 50 100 1M
K3 -110 -119 -136 -140 -143 -144 -150
5000 -123(flat)*
*(Sherwood) "Phase noise does not fall off at 6 dB per octave as expected.
Flex believes the present phase noise limitations are caused by A/D
clock jitter". ("Clock jitter" is another word for phase noise).
Advantage K3. It has lower integrated phase noise
over the entire spectrum. The 5000's relatively higher
phase noise will likely be an issue, especially for
VHF users.
Form Factor:
This is a religious issue with some. Knobs versus
no knobs. "Real Radios Don't Need Knobs" (Flex's slogan).
I suppose the K3's corollary slogan is "Real Radios Don't
Need Computers". :-)
Cost (for the 5000 it depends on whether you already have
a fairly high-performance computer dedicated to your shack.
I'm going to compare the 5000C which includes the computer
and will assume $200 for an LCD display):
5000C $5098 (no ATU, $200 display plus a $99 knob option)
K3 $2825 (assembled K3/100, KXV3, KRX3, 2X 500 Hz filters)
Of course the K3 does not include a bandscope, but the KXV3
provides the wide bandwidth buffered IF output to do this.
Eventually Elecraft, Clifton Labs or someone will provide
this. The solution could be as simple as a SoftRock40 on
the 8.215 MHz output to something much more exotic. Let's
assume $400 for something like a Clifton Labs Z91 plus
another $600 for an adequate computer and display, resulting
in an additional $1000 for interface hardware, computer and
display. I'm assuming free software based either on Rocky
or PowerSDR. This results in:
5000C $5098
K3+ $3825
Advantage: K3 which will have basic RX performance
exceeding the 5000 (see above) and a parallel SDR bandscope.
Assuming someone like HB9DRV integrates this with his Ham
Radio Deluxe program, I believe the K3 will maintain a
significant price advantage over the 5000C.
Portability:
Metric: K3 5000C
Dimensions: 4X10X10" 8.72X17.67X14.67"
Cubic inches: 400 2260
Weight: 8 lbs. 13 lbs.
Power: Similar...I'm tired of typing!
Advantage: K3. I suspect it will very quickly become a
gold standard for DXpeditions, not to mention contesting.
Let's remember that neither of these rigs is
a finished product and both will likely be upgraded via
firmware/software as they evolve. Both have very good
designers and very good mechanisms in place for customer
feedback, so any weakness today may be solved tomorrow.
I also think there's simply a different mindset
appeal of both rigs. Some of us enjoy tinkering with
computers, software, etc and those will love the 5000C.
Some of us are more into ergonomics, operating, etc
and those may like the K3 better (IMHO). Time will tell.
73, Bill W4ZV
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