[Elecraft] Why all those filters - K3

[Martin AA6E]

Don, the voice of sanity...

As an Orion owner considering the K3, I am aware of quite a few folks in 
the Orion world who assume that ordering their rig with "all the 
filters" is going to be better than taking the standard factory option 
(4 filters: 1, 2.4, 6, and 20 kHz).

In fact, extra roofing filters only help you when you're working in very 
hostile band conditions, like contesting.  For normal mortals (me), the 
standard filters have been fine.

Whether the K3 would need more than one roofing filter completely 
depends on your operating style, in my opinion.  So, if in doubt, it's 
very reasonable to start with the one standard filter and add more as 
needed.

If you add the second receiver, I think you have to decide all over 
again which filters you want to add to _it_.  (I assume the first and 
second Rx do not have to be equal.  One may have the general coverage 
option, for example, and the other not.)

I certainly like the modular approach that lets you ease into the K3 
world at a reasonable cost.

73 Martin AA6E

Don Ehrlich wrote:
 > I ordered mine with no crystal filters.  They can always be installed 
later and by then I will have learned enough to know what I really want 
or need.
 > And ... I know I am not wasting my money with a hasty decision.
 >
 > Remember, the DSP will do a good job of filtering without any crystal 
filters.  As I understand it the radio will work well with none of the 
optional crystal filters installed.  By the time I get to that point I 
am sure some consensus will have formed as to the best way to approach 
filter choice for various operating preferences.
 >
 > Don K7FJ
 >
 >
 >> Looking at the new K3 order form - one is faced
 >> with a potential order selection of some 8 or
 >> more filters.  And some others coming on the
 >> scene, have been mentioned. Many are called roofing
 >> filters.
 >>
 >> I'm hoping Elecraft will explain the use, benefit
 >> and potential shortcoming of one's K3 - if they do
 >> or do not order any or all of these filters.
 >>
 >> For example, if I just want to have a slightly
 >> better narrow CW and narrow SSB filter selectability
 >> - which of all these - would be natural to order?  I'm
 >> surprised of the need to order all of these filters in
 >> a 2007 DSP-based radio.  For example, for Icom's
 >> IC-7000 - there are no optional filters to
 >> buy.
 >>
 >> Filters have gotten to be big ticket items, for rigs
 >> that could need them - ala $135 for a single SSB
 >> filter for a IC-703.  $80 bucks a wack, for a
 >> IC-706MKIIG.   And again - none are listed
 >> in the options list for a IC-7000.  How do they
 >> perform the roofing function, and selectability
 >> function?
 >>
 >> Fred, N3CSY
 >> .....learning, learning 2007
 >>
 >>