[Elecraft] K3 owners

[Matt Zilmer]

>Hello to all K3 owners.  I would like your opinions of the K3 if you
>have the time to post.
>
Hey - who has the time with such a great rig sitting in front of him?

>I have never had an Elecraft before, but I am thinking of a K3 for
>portable use.  My Ten-Tec Argo is just a little short on power for my dx
>vacations and it's a little hard to separate the folks in the cw
>pileups.

I've used the K3 as a portable.  It's a bit large for hiking, etc. but
isn't heavy (8 lbs or so).  You'd want to protect it from getting
banged up, and because of its size (4" x 10" x 10" approx) this might
be difficult.  But could be done.

I built a special case for the radio and took it to the local
mountains (Mount Baldy Village area in SoCal) and operated it from
6500' MSL.  Got surprisingly good results on CW using 10W and a 400
foot sloper.  Even worked a couple new countries....  At the bottom of
the sunspot cycle.  Operated it on my car battery.
>
>The technical specs look great, but I am concerned about ergonomics. 
>For example, is the tuning knob weighted?  Does it spin well?  Can you
>adjust the drag on the knob? 

The tuning knob has enough inertia to turn 12 times or so with a light
touch, maybe 30 times with a little more wrist action.  This would be
pretty loose for most, but I like a light touch.  You can adjust the
knob friction, and there are good instructions for setting it.

>How is the readability on the display?  

It is excellent.  You adjust both the backlight and display
separately.  I think there are 8 steps or so for each.

>Can you change the display backlight color?

No. It's amber though.  No color-blindness issues with that color, or
not many.

>Overall, how satisfied are you with the ergonomics?  What would you like
>to change?

The operation of the radio is primarily geared towards right-handed
people.  I'm ambidextrous, but a lefty might find himself a little
clumsy at first.  The main settings that are on/off and most useful
are right-hand thmb operated.  Keypad is on the right (finger operated
usually).  I find the layout of the K3 more easily memorized than the
K2.  With something like this, YMMV.  Best to check it out first-hand,
so to speak.
>
>Here's your chance to sound off if you want and I appreciate you sharing
>your experience.
>
I'd recommend that you go to a hamfest and take a try on the K3
yourself.  Many of the early production run types did that.  I got
lucky and saw it at SW Convention in Torrance [after I ordered mine]
this last year, but hadn't see one before face-to-face.  I didn't get
any real time on a K3 until mine arrived and I built it up.  I have a
lot of personal faith in Elecraft that wouldn't necessarily extend to
every one of their customers.

Don't let all of the squirming over delivery on this list bother you
too much.  These guys have been waiting awhile, and they're early
adopters.  They *like* new stuff, especially the best.

All the specs on this radio can't do it justice.  Take a chance.  I
can only guarantee that you will not be sorry.

Good luck,

matt - WA6EGJ
K3 s/n 24


>Thanks and 73,
>
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